Dear Nelson Marlborough District Health Board,

I am currently researching best practice in regards to security at adult mental health inpatient units across the country. Particularly looking at the use of security cameras within mental health inpatient units.
To assist with this I would like to request:
1.
Does “The Wahi Oranga” mental health inpatient unit currently have security cameras operating with the hospital area?
I am defining hospital area as including: the reception area, entrance and exit points, main patient leisure areas, occupational therapy spaces, seclusion rooms, patient corridors, intensive care or high dependency areas, private/patient outside garden spaces.
This excludes any cameras operating outside of the inpatient unit treatment areas such as car parks, public hospital grounds.
2.
If the inpatient unit does have cameras operating may you please provide the following information:
2.a) When were the cameras installed?
2.b) Where are the cameras are located?
2.c) How many cameras are operating?
2.d) “Seclusion, Restraint, and Assault” reporting data for one year prior to the installation of any security cameras. For example, if cameras were installed June 2010, I request Seclusion, Restraint and Assault reporting data for the period from June 2009 – June 2010.
2.e) “Seclusion, Restraint, and Assault” reporting data for one year after the installation of any security cameras. For example, if cameras were installed June 2010, I request Seclusion, Restraint and Assault reporting data for the period from June 2010 – June 2011.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in providing the above information.
Karyn Black

Dear Maree Nevill,

Thank you for partially responding to my information request.

Would you please reconsider your decision of with hold information pertaining to the location of the cameras I would like to draw you attention to other DHB's that have provided this information without prejudicing safety or security. For instance Waikato DHB and Lakes district as just two examples.

I have asked for the same information from all DHB's and there has been no problem in providing this

Yours sincerely,

Miss Black