4 min read
Why EPRR Leads Must Embrace NEBOSH Counter-Terrorism Qualifications Now
In every NHS hospital, the day-to-day practice of emergency preparedness, resilience and response (EPRR) already reflects a deeply embedded safety culture — planning for major incidents, exercising responses, and building resilience against a broad spectrum of hazards. This has been the foundation of the collective commitment to protect patients, staff and visitors.
Now, a new legislative reality calls for Trusts to go further — and more deliberately — in counter-terrorism preparedness.
Martyn’s Law: Formalising What We Should Already Be Doing
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 — better known as Martyn’s Law — received Royal Assent in 2025 and will shortly be fully implemented. It creates mandatory duties on those responsible for publicly accessible premises, including NHS hospitals.
Under this Act, sites are classified into two tiers:
- Standard Duty Premises— venues expecting between 200 and 799 people at any one time.
- Enhanced Duty Premises — those with 800+ people, where the risk profile and potential impact is greater.
For most NHS hospitals — easily meeting these criteria — the expectations now tighten and formalise activities you should already be doing under health and safety and EPRR frameworks. But crucially, they add a dedicated terrorism focus, a new regulator (the SIA), mandatory registration, and specific training and documentation duties.
This is not an abstract policy issue; it is a practical imperative for public protection.
Training Isn’t Optional — It’s Central to Compliance and Safety
EPRR guidance from NHS England emphasises the need for capability development and threat-informed planning, but standard EPRR training often doesn’t explicitly cover terrorism protective security and threat mitigation.
The new NEBOSH certificates — delivered by trusted providers Premier Partnership — fill this gap:
- NEBOSH National Certificate in Protecting Standard Duty Premises from Terrorism:
a one-day course designed to build competency in understanding terrorism risk, legal duties, threat assessment and response principles. - NEBOSH National Certificate in Protecting Enhanced Duty Premises and Events from Terrorism:
a three-day, more in-depth qualification covering vulnerability assessment, public protection measures, emergency response, and documentation aligned with the legal framework.
These qualifications are not merely “nice to have” — they are designed to align with Martyn’s Law duties and expectations, helping organisations demonstrate due diligence in both training and documentation.
Discover Premier Partnership NEBOSH counter-terrorism training: www.premier-partnership.co.uk/counter-terrorism
Why NEBOSH Matters to EPRR Leads
NEBOSH qualifications are globally recognised in safety and risk management — trusted by regulators and professionals for their:
- Rigour and credibility
- Practical, evidence-based content
- Alignment with UK legal and regulatory frameworks
- Demonstrable proof of competence in risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
For EPRR leads operating in complex, high-profile environments like hospitals, this credibility matters. It strengthens your strategic position within your organisation — helping you to advocate for resources, influence senior leadership, and embed effective protective security controls.
From EPRR Practice to Public Protection Culture
Martyn’s Law reinforces that protective security is part of everyday resilience, not a separate programme. It is an invitation to shift from reactive compliance to proactive capability building. The logic is compelling:
- Collate the right documentation and planning;
- Train people to understand terrorism threat dynamics;
- Embed response principles in operational procedures;
- Demonstrate legal compliance and leadership commitment.
The NEBOSH counter-terrorism courses provide the structured, accredited foundation to achieve this.
A Call to Action for NHS EPRR Leads
As stewards of preparedness, you have the opportunity to lead this transition. Martyn’s Law is more than regulatory change — it is a catalyst for strengthening protective security and saving lives.
Investing in recognised training like the NEBOSH certificates offered through Premier Partnership is not peripheral — it is central to organisational resilience, legal compliance, and the safety culture we champion every day.
Visit our Counter-Terrorism homepage to find out more about these courses: www.premier-partnership.co.uk/counter-terrorism
Jon Knight
Posted 23rd Jun 2025 
