Visitors and patients at Wollongong and Shoalhaven hospitals can now provide feedback on the use of body-worn cameras by security staff. This initiative is part of a statewide trial aimed at enhancing safety for healthcare workers and the broader community. The evaluation, commissioned by NSW Health, is being conducted by a research team from Charles Sturt University.
The trial began in February 2023 and includes 15 public hospitals across New South Wales (NSW). Over the next 12 months, the evaluation will assess whether body-worn cameras serve as effective deterrents to violent or aggressive incidents, contributing to a safer environment for both staff and patients. The feedback survey is open until November 30, 2023, inviting responses from anyone who has visited the participating hospitals.
Leading the evaluation project is Dr. Amanda Davies from the Charles Sturt School of Policing Studies. She emphasized that the introduction of body-worn cameras is not intended to replace existing de-escalation practices. “The purpose of the trial is to evaluate whether body-worn cameras are effective in de-escalating incidents where there is an imminent risk to safety,” Dr. Davies stated.
Dr. Davies has considerable experience in this field, having previously assessed the body-worn camera trial for the NSW Police Force and led research for the NSW Sheriff’s Office body-worn camera trial in 2024. NSW Health has assured that all survey responses will remain anonymous, ensuring that community members can voice their opinions freely.
Trial Implementation and Community Impact
The trial protocol requires security guards to activate the cameras during incidents that pose potential threats to staff, patients, or other individuals in the hospital. This evaluation will help determine the effectiveness of these cameras in both deterring and de-escalating violent situations.
According to data collected between July 2023 and June 2024, approximately 12% of patients in the Wollongong emergency department reported feeling threatened by other patients to some degree. This statistic underscores the necessity of implementing measures to improve safety within hospital settings.
As the trial progresses, the feedback gathered from the community will play a crucial role in evaluating the overall effectiveness of body-worn cameras. The initiative aims not only to protect hospital staff but also to foster a more secure atmosphere for patients and their families.
Participants in the survey can complete it online, contributing to an important assessment that may influence future safety measures in NSW hospitals. The outcomes of this trial could set a precedent for adopting body-worn cameras in healthcare facilities across the region and potentially beyond.
The implications of this trial extend to the broader healthcare community, as successful implementation could enhance the safety and well-being of all who enter these facilities. As feedback is gathered, the insights from the community will be invaluable in shaping effective strategies for addressing violence and aggression in hospitals.
