Body Worn Cameras (BWC) are being piloted in the emergency department at the Western Isles Hospital following a ‘significant rise' in violence and aggression on-site, affecting staff, patients and visitors.

These devices do not automatically record audio and video, recording will begin when activated manually if a situation escalates. Clear signage is displayed throughout the hospital, and staff will always verbally notify individuals when a camera is being activated and explain why.

Electronic access control locks have also been installed in the high dependency unit and all ward areas. To access these areas, visitors will need to press the bell button at the entrance and ward staff will facilitate entry. In the event of a fire alarm, these locks will release automatically.

In addition, more than 120 ‘MySOS' personal safety alarms, supplied by Peoplesafe, have been issued to staff, mainly for lone workers working within community settings. These devices, fitted with fall and crash detection, can pinpoint the location of an individual and automatically escalate to relevant parties.

When the ‘SOS' button is pressed, an alarm centre operator answers and can contact a staff member's manager or the emergency services if required.

Gordon Jamieson, chief executive at NHS Western Isles, said: ‘Whilst we continue to live in a relatively safe environment, it is fair to say that we are seeing an increase in security-related incidents, and violence and aggression towards our staff.

‘I trust the public will understand that, in response, we have introduced the measures outlined which are necessary to protect our staff and patients in our care.'

Inspector Euan Cowan, Police Scotland, added: ‘No one expects to go to their work and be assaulted or verbally abused. Our NHS colleagues do an excellent job in hospital, community medical centre, and home care settings and Police Scotland fully supports initiatives such as this to ensure their safety. We continue to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to crimes perpetrated against Emergency Workers."

The health board has also placed emergency kits in every NHS Western Isles fleet vehicle, as well as being distributed to some colleagues working in the most remote areas of our community. These kits include everything required to maintain comfort and visibility in cold or remote environments.