Hebrides hospital staff pilot body-worn cameras after 'rise in violence'

Emergency department staff at Western Isles Hospital have been issued with body-worn cameras after a “significant rise” in violence and aggression.

NHS Western Isles said the equipment was being trialled after dozens of incidents, including staff being kicked, punched, and head-butted.

Electronic locks have also been installed on doors across all ward areas.

Chief executive Gordon Jamieson said: “Whilst we continue to live in a relatively safe environment, it is fair to say that we are seeing an increase in security-related incidents, and violence and aggression towards our staff.”

“I trust the public will understand that, in response, we have introduced the measures outlined which are necessary to protect our staff and patients in our care. I would like to thank all our health and safety, security, information, IT, estates, and resilience advisers for delivering this important work.”

Over the last two years, NHS Western Isles staff reported between 60 and 80 incidents of violence and aggression annually.

The most common reports involved threats, intimidation, and violent outbursts, with some incidents resulting in hospital treatment for staff.

Other reported incidents included racial abuse, spitting, and damage to board property.

Body-worn cameras are small devices usually worn on the outside of clothing. NHS Western Isles said they do not automatically record; staff manually activate the cameras if a situation escalates.

Signs alerting visitors to the use of cameras have been placed around the hospital.

The health board said the electronic door locks were also installed in response to rising incidents and would release automatically in a fire. Additionally, 120 personal emergency alarms have been issued to staff, many of whom work alone.

Inspector Euan Cowan, Police Scotland, said: “No one expects to go to their work and be assaulted or verbally abused. Our NHS colleagues do an excellent job in hospital, community medical centre, and home care settings and Police Scotland fully supports initiatives such as this to ensure their safety.

“We continue to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to crimes perpetrated against Emergency Workers.”