Body cameras are now being worn by A&E staff to help deter abuse and keep themselves and patients safe.
Emergency Department staff at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury are now wearing the cameras following a successful trial at the John Radcliffe Hospital.
The cameras were originally just worn by security, but now designated medical staff will also wear the smartphone sized cameras to help deter hospital visitors from being aggressive.
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In addition to hopefully preventing aggressive of behaviour, the cameras will also help to identify and prosecute any offenders.
Frontline staff on shift, who have been provided with training, 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 Oxford University Hospital (OUH) staff.
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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 per cent 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.”
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Terry Roberts, chief people officer at OUH, said: “Our staff have been absolutely incredible throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; consistently putting the needs of our patients before their own; and every member of our dedicated and hardworking staff has the fundamental right to be safe at work and it is our priority to eliminate violence and abuse.
“Violent and aggressive behaviour, be that against our staff or other patients or visitors, has absolutely no place in our hospitals and will not be tolerated.”
“As well as reducing the number of incidents towards our staff, these cameras are a vital step in ensuring patients feel safe too.”
Read more from this author
This story was written by Rebecca Whittaker, she joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.
Rebecca covers education and news in Abingdon and Wantage.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Rebecca.Whittaker@newquest.co.uk or calling 07824524333
Follow her on Twitter @RebecWhitt
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