Security guards to trial body cameras at nine NSW hospitals

Security guards in regional and metro public hospitals will be fitted with body worn cameras in a crackdown on violence against staff, patients and visitors.

Wyong Hospital, Wollongong Hospital, Shoalhaven Hospital, Tamworth Hospital, John Hunter Hospital, Nepean Hospital, Liverpool Hospital, Westmead Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital will participate in the trial.

NSW Health said the trial comes after a "number of aggressive assaults on public hospital staff".

The year-long trial will be launched in nine hospitals throughout NSW with up to 300 cameras distributed to security staff to test the effectiveness of the technology for deterring and de-escalating violence.

Health minister Ryan Park said "the safety of our healthcare staff and patients is a priority and the NSW Government has a zero-tolerance approach to violence and aggression in our public hospitals".

"The body worn camera trial is one of several actions NSW Health has taken to address the recommendations of the Anderson report and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to continuing to improve security practices to keep staff and patients safe," he said.

"The trend in assaults in our hospitals is unacceptable and we are taking action."

Cameras would potentially be used to collect evidence for prosecutions, NSW Health said.

"Planning work is currently underway to ensure privacy and security processes are in place to support the commencement of the trial in public hospitals as soon as possible," the department said.

"The use of body worn cameras will be done in a way that ensures the management of patient and staff privacy, with scenes only recorded if security officers believe there is a risk of harm to staff, patients or others."

Once completed the trial will be independently evaluated, NSW Health said.

Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said the trial was "a good first step recognising the risks security face each day in our health system".

"However, there is more to be done from the Anderson Report and I look forward to working with the Health Minister and NSW Government on this issue."