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Horton Emergency Department staff now wearing body cameras
17/05/2022
Its hoped the equipment will deter visitors from being aggressive
Staff in the Emergency Department at the Horton General Hospital are now wearing body cameras to keep themselves and their patients safe. The move follows a successful trial at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
The cameras, which were introduced yesterday, were originally just worn by security staff. They are smaller than a smartphone and used to help deter hospital visitors from being aggressive.
Should the need arise, the footage filmed by the cameras will be viewed to help identify and prosecute offenders.
Once trained, frontline staff on shift will wear the camera on their uniform in clear view. The camera will only be switched on when an individual is being violent or abusive, and only after they’ve been told that they’re about to be recorded.
The body camera trial is part of the wider ‘No Excuses’ campaign, which launched earlier this year following a sharp rise in reported incidents around violence and aggression towards local hospital staff.
Sam Foster, Chief Nursing Officer at OUH, said: “The body camera trial at the John Radcliffe Hospital has been a success, particularly with our staff – over 96% of our staff in the Emergency Department agree with the need for body cameras following the trial.
“We will now use these cameras in Horton General Hospital. I would like to remind people to treat our staff with respect – they continue to work incredibly hard in challenging circumstances to keep you, your family members, and their colleagues safe after a very difficult two years.
“Abuse towards our staff is completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Abuse takes many forms – it doesn’t have to be physical violence. Verbal abuse and aggression can be just as damaging, and can take a huge toll on someone’s wellbeing – in time, this wears people down and can potentially lead to increased sickness and absence.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam