The New South Wales (NSW) Government in Australia has extended its trial of body-worn cameras to additional hospitals across the state.
Lismore Base, Westmead, and Port Macquarie Base hospitals are the latest to participate in this initiative, which aims to enhance safety for patients, staff, and visitors.
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This 12-month trial now encompasses 15 hospitals across various regions, including northern, eastern and south-western Sydney, northern NSW, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Hunter New England, and the Mid North Coast.
The programme, which began at Royal North Shore Hospital in December 2024, equips security personnel with cameras that can be activated during incidents involving violence and aggression, where patients, staff, or others are at risk of harm.
This trial will assess the effectiveness of body-worn cameras in deterring and de-escalating violent situations within hospital settings.
An independent evaluation will be conducted upon the trial’s completion to determine its success.
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By GlobalDataNSW Health facilities have implemented several strategies to maintain a secure environment.
These include risk assessments to manage security risks, safety huddles for sharing patient safety risk information with incoming staff, plans for patient management, Code Black response teams, and workplace designs to improve visibility and reduce entrapment risks.
Additional security features include lockdown arrangements, personal duress alarms, CCTV, enhanced lighting, and regular security patrols in car parks.
This trial is a continuation of the NSW government’s focus on improving hospital security, following recommendations from the Anderson Review of Hospital Security.
Other measures taken include the creation of the Safety and Security Improvement Unit within the Ministry of Health, as well as the standardisation of Code Black procedures.
NSW health minister Ryan Park said: “The safety of our staff and patients is my top priority as the Minister for Health.”
In June 2025, NSW Ambulance trialled the use of drones for two months to support aeromedical and special operations during search and rescue missions.
