CCTV to be used ‘pro-actively’ by trusts to combat abuse

Mental health trusts are exploring wider use of CCTV to review incidents of seclusion or restraint in response to high-profile abuse scandals, HSJ  has learned.

All providers of mental health, learning disability and autism services were ordered to review safety and asked to feed back to NHS England’s national team. The request was made in a letter from national director Claire Murdoch  sent in response to abuse allegations aired by BBC Panorama and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

The review is taking place alongside NHSE’s launch of a £36m three-year quality programme. This aims to identify providers and systems needing support, commission a culture and leadership development programme for all trusts, and produce a new model for safe inpatient care.

Results of trust-level reviews, seen by HSJ, show at least five providers aim to use CCTV more “pro-actively”, as a tool for boosting safety. 

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Source: HSJ, 27 February 2023