Norfolk and Norwich hospital trials body cameras in A and E

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is running a trial of using the cameras as a "de-escalation tool" when staff members are faced with abusive or distressed patients.

The trial will see a single camera used when senior members of staff are called to difficult incidents - which will usually be the nurse in charge or a senior nurse.

The camera will not however be recording around the clock.

Instead, it only be activated in certain, high-risk situations, and the patient will be made aware of when it is filming.

However, the footage captured could potentially be provided to the police should incidents result in criminal prosecutions.

Erika Denton, medical director at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (Image: NNUH)

This move is part of a wider trend within the NHS to provide staff with bodyworn cameras with paramedics and ambulance crews wearing them since 2021.

Erika Denton, medical director at the N&N, said: "We understand that having to come to our emergency department can be distressing for people and the safety of our patients goes hand-in-hand with that of our staff.

"We want to ensure everyone is safe in our emergency department.

"By conducting this trial, we will be able to assess whether this is an effective tool for our clinical staff."

The trial has been brought in following the results of an NHS staff survey which showed a third of workers believed they had received some form of abuse from patients and members of the public while on shift.

Bosses say the cameras will be used as a "de-escalation tool" when workers are faced with abusive or aggressive patients - but that the footage captures could also be used to help staff improve how they respond to delicate situations.