It comes as the NSW Government has announced that a 12-month trial of body worn cameras for NSW hospital security staff has now commenced at Royal North Shore in North Sydney, to improve safety for staff, patients and visitors.

It will see all security staff in participating hospitals equipped with body-worn cameras.

They will be able to 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 technology is at deterring and de-escalating violent incidents and will be independently evaluated once completed.

Dates for the commencement of the body worn camera trial at Wollongong and Shoalhaven hospitals will be announced in due course.

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, 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 Wollongong Paul Scully:

“This initiative will make our hospital a safer place to visit and work.

“Having spoken to security and other health workers at our hospitals, I am sure this will be a welcome initiative.

“I would like to acknowledge the advocacy of the Health Services Union to get this trial underway.”

Quotes attributable to Member for South Coast Liza Butler:

“Our hospitals should be a safe space for everyone—staff, patients, and visitors alike.

“The introduction of body-worn cameras for hospital security is a proactive step to deter violence and ensure everyone feels secure in our healthcare facilities.

“These body-worn cameras are a visible reminder of our commitment to safety and respect in our healthcare system.”