Southern District Health Board
Dunedin Hospital
201 Great King Street
Private Bag 1921
DUNEDIN, 9054
Chief Executive Officer
Phone 03-476 9456 Fax 03-476 9450
26 July 2017
Karyn Black
Email:
[FYI request #6119 email] Dear Ms Black
Re: Official Information Act Request I refer to your Official Information Act request received
by email
on 5 July 2017 in which you
specifically requested the following:
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 within the hospital area? I 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.
Yes, security cameras operate within the inpatient mental health unit areas.
2. If the inpatient unit does have cameras operating may you please provide the
following information:
a) When were the cameras installed?
Wakari Hospital, Dunedin - 1992 onwards
Southland Hospital, Invercargill – 2003
b) Where are the cameras located?
This information is being 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.
c) How many cameras are operating?
This information is being 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.
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d) “Seclusion, Restraint and Assault” reporting data for one year prior to the
installation of any security cameras.
This data is no longer available due to the length of time since installation.
e) “Seclusion, Restraint and Assault” reporting data for one year after the
installation of any security cameras.
This data is no longer available due to the length of time since installation
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of our decision by the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman's Office can be contacted on 0800 802 602 or on-line at
http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/. Yours sincerely
Chris Fleming
Chief Executive Officer
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