Ministerial Launch of CCTV Pilot Project

The official Ministerial launch of the A&E CCTV pilot project took place at Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr, on the 15th December 2009. This pilot project, which will run for twelve months, is one of a number of Assembly funded initiatives to protect NHS frontline staff from Violence and Aggression.

The Welsh Health Minister, Edwina Hart, approved funding for the project in April 2009 and since then, a great deal of work has been done to develop the specifications for the equipment needed to deliver the project and to build in safeguards that ensure patient privacy is protected. Welsh Health Supplies, who were responsible for the procurement process, has worked closely with all concerned to ensure that installation and commissioning was completed by early December so that the pilot could commence before the start of the Christmas and New Year period.

Background

The Ministerial report on Violence and Aggression published in March 2008 contained approximately 54 recommendations. One of these recommendations was a one year pilot involving the installation of CCTV within 4 Accident and Emergency departments and five ambulances.

The pilot sites are situated one in each of the four Police Force areas plus five ambulances based at Blackweir Ambulance Station. The hospital sites are:

• The Royal Gwent Hospital
• Prince Charles Hospital
• West Wales General
• Ysbyty Gwynedd

One of the main purposes of these CCTV systems is to gather evidence to support the prosecution of people who are violent and aggressive against NHS staff.

For further information about the project or the procurement process please contact Nigel Williams at WHS – Nigel.williams@whs.wales.nhs.uk