27 July 2017
Ref. 11411
Mental Health & Addictions
Services
Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus
Karyn Black
Level 1, Hockin Building
Via email to:
[FYI request #6151 email]
Hague Road
Private Bag 3200
Hamilton 3240
New Zealand
Dear Ms Black
Ph: 07 834 3607
Official Information Act Request
Thank you for your request for information of 7 July 2017:
1. Does “Henry Rongomau Bennett” mental health inpatient unit currently have
security cameras operating with the hospital area?
I am defining hospital area as including: the reception area, entrance and exit
points, main patient leisure areas, occupational therapy spaces, seclusion rooms,
patient corridors, intensive care or high dependency areas, private/patient outside
garden spaces. 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:
When were the cameras installed?
Where are the cameras located?
How many cameras are operating?
“Seclusion, Restraint, and Assault” reporting data for one year prior to the
installation of any security cameras. For example, if cameras were installed June
2010, I request Seclusion, Restraint and Assault reporting data for the period from
June 2009 – June 2010.
“Seclusion, Restraint, and Assault” reporting data for one year after the installation
of any security cameras. For example, if cameras were installed June 2010, I
request Seclusion, Restraint and Assault reporting data for the period from June
2010 – June 2011.
Security cameras have been in use for many years across the Waikato Hospital
campus, including the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre. The cameras are a security
measure, primarily to ensure the safety of our service users and patients, staff and
property. As such the cameras are situated in areas of access and exit to hospital
facilities and wards.
The cameras are not used for “surveil ance” or monitoring of clinical activities and are
not routinely in use in these areas.
Whilst I am able to confirm that there are security cameras in use I am not able to
provide information relating to number or locations of the cameras. Declaring the
specific location of security cameras would be counterintuitive to the purpose of the
cameras and whilst the cameras are not overt, this information is withheld on the basis
of Sections 18(a) and 6(d) of the Official Information Act 1982 which enables
information to be withheld if its release would be likely to endanger the safety of a
person or persons.
In relation to seclusion and security cameras there is unlikely to be any correlation in
the use of cameras and seclusion as there are no cameras in this area of the inpatient
facility. Information is available publically on the use of seclusion in mental health
facilities as part of the reporting of the Director of Mental Health and can be accessed
here:
Mental health and addictions | Ministry of Health NZ
Waikato DHB Mental Health and Addictions Service is committed to the reduction of
the use of seclusion in our inpatient facilities and continues to work toward this goal.
I hope this information is helpful. You have the right to request the Ombudsman
investigate and review the decision to withhold the information. The Ombudsman’s
postal address is:
The Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsmen
P O Box 10-152
WELLINGTON
Yours sincerely
Derek G Wright
Executive Director
Mental Health and Addictions Services