The NSW Government's 12-month trial of body worn cameras continues to be rolled out in selected hospitals in NSW.
Liverpool and Bankstown-Lidcombe hospitals have now joined the trial, with the aim of improving safety for staff, patients and visitors.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said a total of five hospitals across northern Sydney, south western Sydney and the Illawarra are now participating in the trial, which commenced at Royal North Shore Hospital in December 2024.
Security staff in participating hospitals are equipped with body worn cameras and can activate these cameras in response to incidents involving aggression and violence in the hospital, where there is risk of harm to staff, patients or others.
The trial will determine how effective the presence of the cameras are at deterring and de-escalating violent incidents and will be independently evaluated once completed.
Body worn cameras are one strategy intended to keep everyone safe in NSW public hospitals. NSW Health facilities also have a number of other key strategies in place to ensure the safest possible environment for staff, patients and visitors. These include:
- Ongoing risk assessments to identify and manage emerging security risks.
- Safety huddles to share information on patient related safety risk with incoming workers.
- Patient management plans that set out specific arrangements to keep both the patient and healthcare workers safe when providing care.
- Multi-disciplinary Code Black (duress) response teams. This includes the use of NSW Health security staff/Health and Security Assistants to assist clinical staff with the management of incidents.
- Workplaces designed to enhance line of sight for staff and reduce entrapment, including dual egress at staff stations and in treatments rooms.
- Lockdown arrangements including secure entry points between public and clinical areas and secure perimeters for facilities, particularly after hours.
- Personal mobile and fixed duress alarms for staff to ensure they can summon assistance when necessary.
- Closed circuit television (CCTV) and effective lighting to ensure visibility.
- Procedures to enhance car park security, including regular security patrols.
This trial is part of the ongoing implementation of recommendations from the Anderson Review of Hospital Security and follows implementation of other recommendations by the NSW Government to improve hospital security.
These include the establishment of the Safety and Security Improvement Unit within the Ministry of Health, the standardising of code black procedures, and enhanced support for patient experience officers.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"The safety of our staff and patients is my top priority as the Minister for Health.
"Any instances of aggression towards staff will not be tolerated, and appropriate action will always be taken against individuals who behave in such a manner.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda:
"The trialling of body-worn cameras is a key step in our goal to give staff, patients, and visitors every assurance that they are safe and secure at our hospitals.
"Liverpool is one of the largest hospitals in our state. I am very pleased that it is one of the first to implement this key safety measure.
"The Government has been clear: aggression toward healthcare staff cannot be tolerated. I look forward to the results of this trial, which will inform how we can reduce violent incidents in our public hospitals."
Quotes attributable to Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson:
"The NSW Government's body-worn camera trial at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital and Liverpool Hospital is a crucial step in ensuring our hospitals are safe places for all.
"We are committed to protecting our nurses, doctors, healthcare workers and patients, and this technology offers a vital layer of security.
"By rigorously evaluating this trial, we're taking action to build a safer hospital environment for everyone."
Quotes attributable to Member for Auburn Lynda Voltz:
"The body-worn cameras trial at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital is an important step in safeguarding both our healthcare workers and patients.
"This initiative will help create a safer environment as well as support the hard-working staff who are committed to providing care in challenging circumstances."
