- The ICO is investigating camera monitoring systems used in NHS mental health wards.
- Patient advocates claim the technology breaches privacy and increases psychiatric distress.
- The manufacturer argues the system prevents self-harm and saves staff time.
The information commissioner has started an inquiry regarding data protection concerns over bedroom monitoring cameras. This tech used by 40% of NHS mental health trusts, is provided by a firm now called LIO. It employs infrared sensors and video to watch patients remotely.
Campaigners from Stop Oxevision want the ICO to check the lawfulness of how sensitive patient data is collected and processed. A partner at Bindmans argued that hospital rooms should be sanctuaries. Consent for such surveillance must be freely given and easily withdrawn.
ICO probes lawful processing of patient video data
The Lampard inquiry is also looking at this tech following deaths in Essex. One victim Sophie Alderman, died while under this surveillance. Her mother claimed the system was intrusive and increased her daughter’s paranoia by 100% before her death.
A solicitor at Hodge Jones & Allen believes the use of such gear is unsafe. There are claims that staff relied on alerts instead of observations, with some warnings being ignored or muted. This led to failures in patient safety.
Read also: Football : Hull could face a points deduction while competing in the Premier LeagueLIO’s head of patient safety admitted that filming patients 24 hours a day is invasive. However, the company maintains that video is only accessed under strict governance. They claim the tech helps flag ligature incidents and self-harm events.
The company insists that absolute privacy is dangerous in acute psychiatric settings. On EPUT wards the platform reportedly flagged 935 ligature incidents and 436 self-harm events. This is said to provide critical situational awareness for staff.
