Westmead, Lismore and Port Macquarie hospitals join a year-long test to see if cameras can deter aggression against health workers.
Westmead, Lismore Base and Port Macquarie Base hospitals have joined the year-long trial of body worn cameras.
Security staff at 15 hospitals across the state now have the devices, which can be activated during incidents involving aggression or violence where staff, patients or visitors could be harmed.
Trial hospitals are located around NSW, including east Sydney, northern Sydney, south western Sydney, Hunter New England, the Illawarra Shoalhaven, the Mid North Coast and northern NSW.
State health minister Ryan Park said the cameras were part of a broader push to improve safety in public hospitals, alongside duress alarms, CCTV, lockdown measures, and multi-disciplinary “code black” (duress) teams trained to respond to violent incidents.
These teams include NSW Health security staff, and health and security assistants who support clinical staff with the management of incidents.
Mr Park said he was looking forward to the results of this trial, which would provide insight on how to reduce instances of violence and aggression in the state’s public hospitals.
Related
“The safety of our staff and patients is my top priority as the minister for health,” he said.
“Any instances of aggression towards staff will not be tolerated, and appropriate action will always be taken against individuals who behave in such a manner.”
The trial was launched at Royal North Shore Hospital in December 2024. An independent evaluation will assess whether the cameras help deter or de-escalate violence.
The program follows recommendations from the Anderson Review of Hospital Security, which also led to a dedicated Safety and Security Improvement Unit within the Ministry of Health.