Body worn cameras helping keep crews safe

An apprentice emergency medical technician is encouraging colleagues to wear a body worn camera after a positive first experience of activating the camera which made her feel more confident and safer in a potentially dangerous environment.   

Lauren Vanhinsbergh, who works out of Southend Ambulance, recently received a call-out with her crewmate to an overdose at a property that was out of the area she normally covers.

On entering the property, the daughter of the patient was becoming increasingly agitated and aggressive which is when Lauren activated the camera.

The activation of the camera soon de-escalated the situation and Lauren is convinced it would have been different if she wasn’t wearing a camera.

Lauren said: “This was the first time I felt the need to activate my body worn camera and it made me feel safer knowing if anything happened then there would be recorded evidence.

“As it turned out, the patient’s daughter noticed our body worn cameras and immediately calmed down as she kept making eye contact with the camera.

“I strongly believe that the situation would have been different if we did not have the cameras and we were able to treat her mother without fear of being assaulted.

“I would strongly urge my colleagues to wear a camera if it’s available to you. Thankfully we did not need to take the footage further on this occasion, but they made me feel more confident and safer.”

The Trust is now starting to get some momentum with the roll-out of the cameras, having ironed out some niggling issues around fastening the cameras to uniforms, and a working group is meeting regularly to expand usage of the cameras.  

If you are in an area where the cameras are operational and are interested in wearing a cameras, please contact your leading operations manager.

If you have any queries about the cameras or would like to share your experience, please email lucy.goddard@eastamb.nhs.uk.

Friday 19th May 2023