UK Hospital Security Staff Equipped with Body Cameras

UK Hospital Security Staff Equipped with Body Cameras

A UK hospital system is enhancing security with body-cams.

Security staff members at UK hospital systems South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust and City Hospitals Sutherland NHS Foundation Trust in England must wear body cameras to improve the safety and security of patients, visitors and staff on their sites. 

The cameras, most commonly used with police officers, are known to act as deterrents in violent incidents and can provide valuable audio and video for evidence in the event that there is an incident. 

Staff wearing the cameras will operate the equipment in stand-by mode when patrolling and if they begin to record an incident, they must first announce they are recording. 

Officials from South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust explained that the hospitals already have a "sophisticated CCTV system" but the use of the body-cams have shown they can also act as a deterrent for crime making the sites safer for everyone. 

"We have a zero tolerance approach to all forms of violence, aggression or abuse and, where appropriate, we always seek to prosecute," Steve Jamieson, director of estates and facilities said.

The hospital system has already found the body-cams to be helpful.

“We have detailed policies regarding the cameras and our security officers have been fully trained in their use and, very importantly, they are aware of the need to preserve people’s privacy and dignity," Jamieson said. "We are already finding the cameras invaluable in terms of providing evidence and seeing them does seem to change people’s attitudes and act as a deterrent.”  

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

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