NHS to get £300,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government fund for CCTV

These systems will be operational in December and are to gather evidence to support the prosecution of people who are violent and aggressive against NHS staff, Health Minister Edwina Hart.

The 12-month trial is backed by £300,000 Welsh Assembly Government funding.

Mrs Hart said in April that the trial sites would be Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil; Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport; West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen; Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor and five ambulances based at Blackweir Ambulance Station, Cardiff.

Since then, a great deal of work has been done to develop the specifications for the equipment needed to deliver the project to build in safeguards that ensure patient privacy is protected.

This announcement follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Welsh Assembly Government and the four Welsh Police forces to allow closer working between the police and the NHS in Wales in the investigation of allegations of violence towards NHS staff.

Mrs Hart said:

“I am determined to stamp out violence and aggression against NHS staff. It is unacceptable that NHS staff face wilful violence and aggression whilst going about their day-to-day duties caring for patients.

“The introduction of CCTV cameras at the accident and emergency units and in ambulances will help provide more evidence to support prosecutions, and with the cameras in place, will act as a deterrent, making people think twice before abusing staff.”

In undertaking this pilot, absolute priority will be given to ensuring patient privacy and dignity, involving close liaison with doctors, nurses and patient representatives. Clear signage will be displayed to ensure public awareness of CCTV.

David Francis, chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and all-Wales Violence and Aggression Champion said:

“These pilots reinforce our determination to protect staff and prosecute attackers. I’m really pleased with the support we are getting from the Police and am confident we will see more prosecutions. In addition to investing in these new systems we also want to build up public support for helping us protect our staff, and the visibility of CCTV will help this.”