01 April 2025, 7:08 AM
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 a 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:
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.
Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “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.”