Hospital security staff in New South Wales hospitals will trial body-worn cameras for 12 months in a bid to improve safety.
The trial, which comes after a number of aggressive assaults on public hospital staff, will be rolled out in at least nine hospitals to determine how effective the technology is at deterring and de-escalating violent incidents.
Up to 300 body-worn cameras will be in operation across NSW hospitals when the trial begins, to test whether they are an effective tool for security staff, as well as potentially collect vision that could be used as evidence in court.
The trial will be independently evaluated once completed.
This trial is part of the ongoing implementation of recommendations from the Anderson review of hospital security.
“This is a good first step recognising the risks security face each day in our health system,” Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said.
“However, there is more to be done from the Anderson Report and I look forward to working with the Health Minister and NSW government on this issue.”
The state government estimated that 97 per cent of the review recommendations had been implemented.
“The body worn camera trial is one of several actions NSW Health has taken to address the recommendations of the Anderson report and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to continuing to improve security practices to keep staff and patients safe,” Health Minister Ryan Park said.
“The trend in assaults in our hospitals is unacceptable and we are taking action.”
The following sites will participate in the trial:
- Wyong Hospital (Central Coast Local Health District)
- Westmead Hospital (Western Sydney Local Health District)
- Royal North Shore Hospital (Northern Sydney Local Health District)
- Nepean Hospital (Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District)
- Liverpool Hospital (South West Sydney Local Health District)
- Wollongong Hospital (Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District)
- Shoalhaven Hospital (Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District)
- John Hunter Hospital (Hunter New England Local Health District)
- Tamworth Hospital (Hunter New England Local Health District)
