Information pertaining to the use of security cameras in mental health inpatient facilities.

Miss Black made this Official Information request to Southern District Health Board

The request was refused by Southern District Health Board.

From: Miss Black

Dear Southern District Health Board,

I am currently researching best practice in regards to security at adult mental health inpatient units across the country. Particularly looking at the use of security cameras within mental health inpatient units.
To assist with this I would like to request:

1.
Does the Southern District Health Board “Inpatient Mental Health Unit” currently have security cameras operating with the hospital area?

I am define hospital area as including: the reception area, main patient leisure areas, occupational therapy spaces, seclusion rooms, intensive care or high dependency areas.
This excludes any cameras operating outside of the inpatient unit treatment areas such as car parks, public hospital grounds.

2.
If the inpatient unit does have cameras operating may you please provide the following information:
2.a) When were the cameras installed?
2.b) Where are the cameras are located?
2.c) How many cameras are operating?
2.d) “Seclusion, Restraint, and Assault” reporting data for one year prior to the installation of any security cameras.
2.e) “Seclusion, Restraint, and Assault” reporting data for one year after the installation of any security cameras.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in providing the above information.

Karyn Black

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From: Sarah Byrne
Southern District Health Board

Dear Ms Black,

Please accept this as acknowledgement of your Official Information request.

I will have a response to you on or before 01/08/2017

Regards
Sarah

Sarah Byrne | OIA Coordinator| Southern DHB
Private Bag 1921, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand |DDI 03 4769454 ext 55454
[email address]

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From: Sarah Byrne
Southern District Health Board


Attachment 1318 Karyn Black 26 July 2017 re security cameras.pdf
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Dear Ms Black,

 

Please find attached the response to your Official Information request.

Regards

Sarah

 

 

Sarah Byrne | OIA Coordinator| Southern DHB

Private Bag 1921, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand |DDI 03 4769454 ext 55454

[1][email address]

 

 

 

 

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From: Miss Black

Dear Sarah Byrne,

Thank you for providing some of the requested information.

Can you please reconsider your decision to withhold this information. I would like like to draw your attention to other DHB's whom I have made the same request to and have provided this information. Such as Northland and Capital and Coast, who also have security cameras and do not feel withholding this information jeopardises the health and safety of the public.

Yours sincerely,

Miss Black

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From: Sarah Byrne
Southern District Health Board

Dear Miss Black,

Following your email we have reconsidered our response to your request.

We remain of the view that information specifying the locations of cameras and how many are operating should continue to be withheld under section 9(2)(c) of the Official Information Act, in order to avoid prejudice to measures protecting the health or safety of members of the public.

We are, however, happy to provide some additional general information in relation to question 2b of your request:
We can confirm that there are cameras located in communal areas such as foyers, hallways and towards front entrances. We can also confirm that the forensic mental health inpatient unit has cameras located in communal areas as well as seclusion lounge, nurses’ station and a secure courtyard.

Regards
Sarah

Sarah Byrne | OIA Coordinator| Southern DHB
Private Bag 1921, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand |DDI 03 4769454 ext 55454
[email address]

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Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Southern District Health Board only: