Piloting the use of body-worn camera devices within the emergency department

Overview

We have developed a consultation document which details why we would like to pilot the use of body worn cameras to protect staff and safeguard our patients. Violent and aggressive behaviour, be that against our staff or other patients or visitors, has absolutely no place in our hospitals.  We hope you will take the time to join us in this work and help to shape the way we support our staff and patients.

In keeping with the commitments in our Equality Scheme we have carried out an Equality Impact Assessment of this pilot.  We have also carried out a Data Protection Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA).  A copy of the Equality Impact Assessment and Data Protection Privacy Impact Assessment can also be found on the Trust’s website.

We are consulting for 14 weeks beginning 23 January 2025. 

Before you submit your response, please read this section on Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the confidentiality of responses to public consultation exercises.

Trust Response and Freedom of Information Act (2000)

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust will publish an anonymised summary of the responses received to our consultation process.  However, under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000, particular responses may be disclosed on request, unless an exemption(s) under the legislation applies.  Under the FOIA anyone has right to request access to information held by public authorities; the Northern Trust is such a public body.  Trust decisions in relation to the release of information that the Trust holds are governed by various pieces of legislation, and as such the Trust cannot automatically consider responses received as part of any consultation process as exempt.  However, confidentiality issues will be carefully considered before any disclosures are made.

We welcome your views on this pilot.