Walsall hospital security worker fitted with body camera

The video badge technology which can be used to record any disturbances is being trialled at the hospital.

The camera is being used by security officers and its long-term future will be analysed by bosses at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust following the trial.

Health chiefs say it is complementing security measures which are already in place, and a full roll out would be subject to agreeing funding.

Colin Plant, divisional director of estates and facilities at the health trust, said: "Our security contractor at Walsall Manor Hospital has been trialling the use of a video badge – a body-worn camera as used by most police forces today – across our hospital site for the past four weeks.

"The contractor already uses video badges on a number of other sites in the UK where it operates and where the protection of members of the public, staff and security staff is key.

"Video badges complement other security systems used by the trust already, including CCTV and restricting access to specific areas.

He added: "The introduction of video badges would require significant investment as each unit costs around £500, and additional staff training would also be needed on their use, which is subject to the same regulations as for CCTV.

"Once the security contractor has completed its review, the Trust will be able to decide if it wishes to roll out the system. Implementation would be dependent, however, on resources being available."

Body cameras have also been used by traffic wardens across the borough, as there use by organisations across the UK has risen.

Any financial commitment comes as bosses at the trust which runs the Manor are predicting a £17.7m black hole this year. It suffered a £12.9m deficit in the 12 months until the end of March but the position is poised to be even worse in the 2015/15 year.

The Manor is already seeking a £5m loan as it struggles to fund the planned new critical care unit.

The trust has targeted making £10.5m savings, which would see almost 50 posts cut. But with the investment in more 100 nurses and care support workers, bosses say the overall workforce is due to increase.