On average in Northern Ireland there are around 12 acts of aggression against ambulance staff per week (2020/21). NIAS has a duty of care to both its service users and its staff. In recent years we have witnessed increased levels of aggression, violence and harm caused to our staff while on duty. This has been manifested in both physical assaults (e.g. of an extremely violent or sexual nature) and/or non-physical assaults (including verbal assault and personal abuse). This abuse is unacceptable and unfortunately despite efforts to curb violence and aggression against NIAS staff, incidents have continued to increase.
After significant consideration and engagement with staff, unions, and partner agencies, NIAS believes in principle that the introduction of BWV is a proportionate and reasonable proposal to help reduce harm to staff, and to assist in due process investigation and if necessary prosecution of offenders
Our consultation was designed to examine the principle of BWV being introduced to NIAS as the Trust recognises the scale of culture shift involved in the proposal that NIAS employees would wear portable recording devices. The consultation consisted of three elements, a questionnaire, public meetings and questions were posted on social media (Twitter). With regards to the questionnaire, this was circulated as part of the consultation document to around 400 organisations
We received 28 responses, one of which was a group response on behalf of a community / voluntary organisation (included 48 responses). The stakeholders consulted were as follows:
• Three from the community / voluntary sector (one response was on behalf of 48 respondents).
• Nine health and social care organisations.
• One member of NIAS staff.
• Three political parties.
• One Trade Union.
• Two regulators / government advisory organisations.
• Seven service users / members of the public.
• One GP.
• One local authority.
The overarching theme arising from the consultation is that of data protection / privacy. As the consultation moves into its second phase, the Trust will carefully consider matters of compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Regulation. We will also consider Technical Guidance for Body Worn Devices, Encryption Guidance, CCTV Codes of Practice, Surveillance Camera Codes of Practice etc. and any other applicable legislation and guidance.
On completion of this consultation period, we commenced a phased roll out of cameras with the first cameras going live in late 2022. We have now progressed the project to full implementation. We have over 600 staff deploying from 37 locations wearing BWV cameras. We have approximately 120 deployments per day. Staff use the cameras on a regular basis to de-escalate and defuse potentially violent situations. Unfortunately, we have had to utilise a number of recordings to support police prosecutions against service users who have assaulted staff and damaged Trust property. The project continues to support both the welfare of NIAS operational staff and patients.
To find out more about this piece of work, click here to read the full consultation report
