Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed Health Minister Ryan Park’s announcement that Lismore Base Hospital has joined the NSW Government’s 12-month trial of body-worn cameras.

Ms Saffin said the trial, now equipping security staff with body-worn cameras at 15 participating hospitals statewide, aims to improve safety for Lismore Base’s staff, patients and visitors.

“Our message is that any instances of aggression towards our frontline health workers will not be tolerated, and appropriate action will be taken against individuals who behave in such a manner,” Ms Saffin said.

“Like Minister Park, 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.

“Lismore Base Hospital is the designated regional trauma centre for Northern NSW and one of the busiest hospitals in our Local Health District. I’m pleased that it is among the first few hospitals in the state to participate in the body-worn camera trial.

“This trial will be an important tool in helping us to improve safety measures for patients, staff and visitors to our health facilities here in Northern NSW.” 

Body-worn cameras as a deterrent are one strategy intended to keep everyone safe in NSW public hospitals. NSW Health facilities also have 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 risks 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 and reduce entrapment, including dual egress at staff stations and in treatment 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.