Body Worn Camera Use in Health Facilities Policy

MP 0196/26 - Body Worn Camera Use in Health Facilities Policy (pdf 190KB)

Applicable to: This policy is applicable to all HSPs excluding Health Support Services, and the Quadriplegic Centre.

Description: Workplace violence and aggression (WVA) can occur in healthcare settings and represents an important consideration for maintaining the health, safety and wellbeing of healthcare workers while also supporting consistent and effective patient care.

Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) are classed as listening and optical surveillance devices under the Surveillance Devices Act 1998 (WA) (SD Act). The SD Act strictly regulates the use of BWCs and prohibits the use of a BWC to record, monitor, observe or listen to ‘private’ conversations or activities except in limited circumstances.

Within a patient‑centred care framework and alongside other safety and mitigation strategies, the use of BWCs may, in some circumstances, deter or de‑escalate violent, aggressive and/or threatening behaviour. BWCs are intended to complement broader, evidence‑informed prevention measures, as set out in MP 0159/21 Preventing and Managing Workplace Violence and Aggression policy. They can enhance transparency and accountability by creating an objective record of interactions which may assist with the management, review or resolution of incidents or disputes where appropriate. When used in accordance with relevant WA health policies, procedures and privacy obligations, BWCs form one component of a systemwide approach to supporting a safe and secure environment for staff, patients and visitors across WA Health.

The Body Worn Camera Use in Health Facilities Policy (policy) establishes the mandatory operational requirements governing the lawful, ethical and consistent use of BWCs by security officers in health facilities. The policy outlines the requirements for BWC activation, use, security officer training, data storage and access to footage. It ensures that BWCs are used in a manner that upholds the dignity, privacy and rights of individuals, and that recordings are made only when proportionate to the threat or incident, avoiding unnecessary surveillance.

This policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers (HSPs) under the Work, Health and Safety Policy Framework, pursuant to section 26(2)(d) of the Health Services Act 2016 (HS Act).

This policy must be read in conjunction with the MP 0159/21 Prevention of Workplace Violence and Aggression Policy and MP 0194/26 Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Policy.

Date of effect: 18 May 2026

Policy Framework

Work Health and Safety