Body-worn cameras to be extended to Causeway Hospital after Antrim trial shows ‘positive impact on patient behaviour’
A body-worn camera pilot trialled at Antrim Hospital’s emergency department (ED) is to be extended to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust board has also agreed to continue the scheme at Antrim Hospital’s ED.
Speaking at a Trust board meeting on Thursday (March 26), Dr Naomi Baldwin, assistant director of corporate nursing, told members devices were worn voluntarily by 12 members of staff in “high traffic areas” of the emergency department including ambulance triage and observation sections during a 12-week period.
She explained that the initiative took place following consultation with advisory groups such as the PSNI, trade unions and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service as well as health trusts in the UK. Body-worn cameras are audio and visual recording devices.
Dr Baldwin said staff felt more confident when the cameras were in use as well as providing a “positive impact on patient behaviour” and “de-escalation of certain patient situations”.
She also indicated staff had felt supported by the Trust through the introduction of the camera pilot which was completed in December.
“At no time during the pilot did we have a serious incident,” she reported. She added there were no reports of harm or loss of dignity.
“At no time did any patient or family come forward saying why are you walking about with that camera. Nobody said that. We came to the conclusion that this is a valuable tool in de-escalation,” Dr Baldwin commented.
However, she indicated training must be ongoing and leadership and peer support is “essential”.
She noted 91 per cent of respondents to a public consultation were in favour of body camera usage and ten had concerns relating to privacy, data protection and equality issues. “This was about the staff and their morale,” she stated.
The Trust has stressed “activation of the devices and data is strictly monitored and audited”. Before switching on a device, the patient must be informed they are being recorded and when it has stopped. They were not used when a patient was in a state of undress or when dementia patients were involved.
Dr Baldwin also emphasised that although the cameras are “valuable tools”, “serious challenges” remain in the emergency departments.
Trust board chair Anne O’Reilly commented: “How we have approached it has added to the success of it. It was a courageous decision to stop attacks. This allows us to make a more informed decision in relation to what to do next.”
She recommended the Trust board agree to the permanent use of body-worn cameras within the emergency department at Antrim Hospital and extend their use to Causeway Hospital ED.
She said she hoped the “extension of the scheme would send an important signal that staff and patient safety, and the health and well-being of staff, was of utmost priority to the board and senior management”.
“We know that the vast majority of people who attend our emergency departments are respectful of our staff and only a very small number engage in unacceptable behaviour – but even one is one too many.
“Sadly, we know that violence and aggression towards staff is a reality and something that we have seen increasing over the last number of years. It’s not part of the job and our staff deserve better,” she added.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter