Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust is extending the use of body cameras to staff at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury, following a successful trial at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. The initiative aims to reduce violence and abuse against healthcare workers.
The trust reported a significant drop in abuse incidents at the John Radcliffe, from 180 reports in November 2021 to 94 in April, after the cameras were introduced in January. The cameras are part of OUH's 'No Excuses' campaign, which targets assaults on staff.
Only frontline staff who have received training use the cameras, which are activated solely when a person is being violent or abusive. Staff inform individuals before recording begins. Sam Foster, OUH's chief nursing officer, noted that 96% of emergency department staff at the John Radcliffe supported the use of cameras.
Foster emphasised that abuse, whether physical or verbal, is unacceptable and can have a lasting impact on staff wellbeing. 'Verbal abuse and aggression can be just as damaging, and can take a huge toll on someone's wellbeing,' she said.
