Belfast Trust is committed to fully involving our staff, service users, local communities and the wider public in the planning and development of services. One of the ways we do this is through consulting the public about our services and plans.
We publish our current consultations and how you can get involved here.
Consultation on the Proposed Use of Body Worn Cameras: Have Your Say
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust have launched a public consultation regarding a proposal to pilot, for six months the use of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) in our Adult Emergency Departments at the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Mater Hospital. We also propose to use BWCs in other service areas (if required) and subject to the evaluation of the pilot and the fulfilment of our Equality, Human Rights, Involvement and Data Protection obligations each time.
Our proposal is in response to the unacceptable high and increasing levels of violence and aggression towards our staff. Our proposal is also aligned to the regional framework regarding the management of aggression and violence (MOVA) against staff and is aligned to Trust values and priorities to value staff, to deliver compassionate dignified care in safe and welcoming spaces.
Between 2019 and 2024 there were 26,288 incidents of physical and verbal abuse against Belfast Trust staff. Staff in our Emergency Departments face sustained and escalating levels of violence, aggression, and abuse. The incidents occur against a backdrop of overcrowding, long waits for assessment and admission, and high levels of alcohol and substance-related presentations.
We believe that BWCs will help reduce violence and aggression towards staff and make our hospitals and services safer for everyone. The Trust’s aim is to deter, de-escalate and document abusive behaviour and to create a safer environment for staff, patients, service users, carers and visitors.
BWCs will always be used in a proportionate way for a legitimate purpose. They will only be used by trained staff who volunteer to wear them, and will be activated during incidents where abuse, threats or assault are occurring or likely to occur. Cameras will be overt, never hidden, and will not be used during personal care or in private spaces e.g. bathrooms. Public and Privacy Notices will be displayed to explain that BWCs may be used. Footage will be securely stored and automatically deleted unless needed for an incident investigation.
The proposal to use BWCs has been developed following significant engagement with staff and key stakeholders. A full Data Protection Impact Assessment and draft Equality Impact Assessment have been completed.
This consultation is running from 23rd January until 17th April.
Two public engagement sessions are planned for 25th February (online 6-8pm) and 15th April (in person, 2 – 4pm). The event on 15th April will take place at the Arches Wellbeing & Treatment Centre in Belfast.
A Registration Link for Public Engagement Sessions is available here:
Belfast Trust Body Worn Cameras Consultation – public engagement sessions
We would encourage as many people as possible to have their say in this consultation. You can find full details, including the consultation paper on the Citizen Space website:
BHSCT Body Worn Cameras Proposal – NI Direct – Citizen Space
We thank you in advance for taking the time to give us your feedback and look forward to your comments.
If you would like to find out further information, please contact estella.dorrian@belfasttrust.hscni.net
As well as always encouraging our stakeholders to get involved in Belfast Trust consultations we also wish to encourage you to view and get involved in Department of Health consultations. You can find information about current and previous consultations on the Department of Health website.
The Department of Health is committed to working with stakeholders and those with an interest in its work and engages with a wide range of representative groups and individuals to obtain views which contribute to formulating policy and making decisions.