A staggering 71% of care home workers have faced violence and aggression in their workplace, with the most common type of abuse being verbal. In the UK alone, police recorded 1200 assaults between residents living at care homes between 2014 and 2016.
Care homes are not alone with growing numbers of attacks and violence. The NHS is experiencing a similar epidemic of aggression and is taking steps to protect nursing staff as well as improve quality of patient care.
Berrywood Hospital is part of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and have been using Calla body cameras to help protect patients and staff for over 2 years. In 2018 the Trust won the HSJ Patient Safety Award for their use of body cameras on wards, which came off the back of a paper the Trust published in 2017 that outlined positive feedback from using body cameras in an inpatient setting.
Feedback from nurses participating in a study at Berrywood included:
“I think it prevents lots of aggression and puts patients’ minds at ease knowing there is a record of what happened.”
“I have seen a few occasions where the incident had deescalated and believe this to have been helped by the camera being turned on.”
“I am fully in support of the technology being used permanently in the future."
"I can see nothing but positives from it with recourse to its potential in reducing/ deescalating violent incidents.”
“Initially sceptical, however can see that body worn cameras have had a positive impact on both patients and staff.”
Feedback from patients was equally positive, with the following feedback included:
‘It may make staff more confident to approach and help distressed patients, it makes them feel safer at work so happier and more able to help patients.’
‘it will certainly act as a deterrent or tool to de-escalate.’
‘Makes things safer for clients and staff.’
Calla is a small body camera that improves quality of care by protecting nursing staff and service users. It’s not on all the time, it’s not there to keep tabs on staff, and clear policies ensure it is only used when appropriate.
When you do have to record, the unique front facing screen lets people see that they are being recorded and makes it crystal clear what’s going on. Plus, it means you’re open and honest about exactly what you’re recording, as they can see it too.
Studies show that when people know they are being recorded it can help calm them down and avoid conflict, and that’s just what Calla’s screen does.
We’re looking for care homes who might benefit from introducing the technology and want to find out more.
