Hospital body cameras brought due to violence

Hospital staff are being given body cameras in the hope of deterring patients from abusing them.

Violence and abuse are "one of the biggest challenges" facing the NHS, said associate director of nursing at University Hospitals Tees Joanne Foster, with staff being punched, kicked and racially threatened on a daily basis.

The cameras are now being introduced for clinical staff in James Cook University Hospital's emergency department to put patients off from becoming aggressive.

Foster said the cameras helped de-escalate situations but the "constant potential for aggression" drove burnout, with more staff leaving the NHS because of it than ever before.

In 2025, University Hospitals Tees trust recorded more than 1,400 incidents of violence and aggression across its hospitals.

Emergency department manager Laura Pennicott said she had wanted body cameras for staff for a long time.

"Violence is a daily occurrence, the fact we have to wear body cameras to protect ourselves is a sad reflection of the times," she said.

"Over the past couple of days there have been 10 incidents of violence and aggression that security have had to attend the department."

The trust said it would refuse treatment where appropriate and pursue legal action against offenders.

Foster said: "It is a really heartbreaking situation not just for the staff but our community in Teesside.

"It is what I would consider one of the biggest challenges we face in the NHS today, our staff come to work and their main goal is to look after your family members but they deal with a level of hostility that makes it unsafe for them to do their job."

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