Can the NHS pursue a balanced approach to video monitoring in healthcare?
In the fast-paced world of healthcare, video surveillance has expanded to enhance safety and quality of care.
The shocking Lucy Letby case, where a nurse was accused of multiple infant deaths, has put video surveillance back in the spotlight. This tragedy sparked a debate to ramp up monitoring in NHS Trusts, particularly in vulnerable areas like neonatal units. The argument? More cameras could help prevent misconduct and aid in investigations.
Video surveillance could answer ongoing safety and privacy challenges, but it would inevitably introduce new complexities, particularly around safety and ethical considerations. This raises a pivotal question: is that balance worth it?
Despite the Lucy Letby case, there are many conflicting views on video monitoring and its impact in such sensitive, medical environments. Video surveillance may be currently being used as a “safety net”, but the question remains whether it effectively addresses or merely masks systemic challenges such as understaffing and inadequate training.
The effect of body-worn cameras in specific areas of healthcare
In acute mental health wards, body-worn cameras have been shown to not be 100% effective in deterring violence or aggression.
Research suggests that BWCs may amplify power imbalances and undermine therapeutic care. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) also cautions against relying too heavily on video surveillance (notably, bodyworn cameras for nurses) as a fix-all for deep-rooted issues within healthcare settings. They prioritise handling the initial problems that warranted this monitoring in the first place.
But is that easier said than done?
NHS Trusts must consider whether the cameras contribute to a culture of safety or inadvertently create an environment of surveillance that might hinder therapeutic engagement. Incidents, where patients were filmed during vulnerable moments, have only amplified this need for a considered approach to surveillance—one that is sensitive to the psychological impact on patients.
The digitised side of video in healthcare
The government and NHS England have planned an expansion of virtual wards, which highlights a systemic shift towards remote patient monitoring as a way to alleviate the strain on services.
While data during the pandemic suggests that remote monitoring supported the effective adoption of new care pathways, Trusts must remain vigilant around the execution of these virtual environments, and ensure they provide care that is efficient, compassionate and compliant with patient consent and privacy standards.
What’s next for video monitoring in the NHS?
The focus should be on using the technology as a support, not a substitute, for quality care and strong staffing.
Open dialogue with stakeholders, like staff and patient groups, is key. Transparency about how surveillance footage is used and ensuring patients give consent are also must-dos.
NHS Trusts also need to keep evaluating the impact of these technologies, looking beyond just costs to the ethical and human aspects. Any tech used, especially in sensitive areas, is backed up by enough staff and the right kind of patient interaction.
As NHS Trusts navigate this complex terrain, the integration of surveillance tech should always aim to enhance patient care, protect privacy, and support the mental well-being of patients and staff. It’s not just about finding a middle ground between security and ethics; it is about building a healthcare culture that values human dignity as much as technological progress.