Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Government has announced a trial of body-worn cameras for hospital security personnel for 12 months to bolster safety for patients, staff and visitors.
Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney’s north is the pioneer in this initiative, being the first public hospital in NSW to implement the body camera technology.
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The trial, which is now underway, aims to determine the effectiveness of the technology in deterring and de-escalating violent incidents within hospital settings.
NSW health minister Ryan Park said: “I look forward to the results of this trial, which will provide insight into how we can reduce instances of violence and aggression in our public hospitals.”
As the trial progresses, a total of 15 hospitals across various regions, including Sydney, the Central Coast, the Hunter, the Mid North Coast, the Illawarra, New England, Western NSW and Northern NSW, will participate.
Security staff at these hospitals will be equipped with the cameras and authorised to activate them when faced with aggressive or violent situations where there is a risk of harm.
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By GlobalDataThe trial’s outcomes will be independently evaluated to measure the technology’s impact on hospital security.
In addition to the camera trial, NSW Health facilities have implemented several strategies to maintain a secure environment.
These include regular risk assessments, safety huddles, patient management plans, and multi-disciplinary Code Black response teams.
Infrastructure designs that enhance visibility, lockdown arrangements, personal duress alarms, CCTV, and improved lighting are also part of the comprehensive approach to security.
This initiative is a continuation of the NSW Government’s efforts to implement the recommendations from the Anderson Review of Hospital Security.
Other measures already in place include the creation of the Safety and Security Improvement Unit within the Ministry of Health, additional support for patient experience officers and standardisation of Code Black procedures.
