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

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