CCTV will be used in aged care homes in a $500,000 trial

CCTV monitoring systems will be used in at least five South Australian aged care homes in a 12-month, $500,000 national pilot scheme to protect elderly residents.

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CCTV will be used in aged care homes in South Australia in a 12-month trial to better protect the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable residents.

The Federal Government will invest $500,000 in the trial of surveillance and monitoring systems in at least five SA Health-managed aged care facilities, starting in the second half of the year.

Premier Steven Marshall said the State Government will deliver the Australian-first pilot in partnership with Care Protect, a company specialising in audiovisual monitoring systems and services in health and social care settings.

“In the shadow of Oakden and the Commonwealth Aged Care Royal Commission, protecting South Australia’s most vulnerable is one of my government’s highest priorities,” Mr Marshall said.

“This CCTV pilot will strengthen the safeguards in place for our frail, older population, provide greater transparency than ever before and hopefully give loved ones greater peace of mind that their loved ones are receiving quality care.”

Care Protect provides video and audio surveillance system in residential care facilities in the United Kingdom but this is the first time the technology will be rolled out in Australia.

The technology detects excessive noise and movement and light changes, triggering an alert to a reviewer who can view the footage within seconds of an event happening.

All footage is stored off-site in a secure web-based setting and is monitored 24/7 by an independent team of experienced and qualified clinical experts.

Federal Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt said it was clear there were widespread concerns about the quality and safety of vulnerable adults across Australia.

“Covert filming by individuals has sadly exposed poor quality of care and malpractice in some aged care settings,” Mr Wyatt said.

“The community has been asking for this and today we deliver an initiative which will result in stronger protections for our elderly residents, reduced adverse incidents and improved standards of care.”

Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade, said the trial would only be conducted with residents and families who have provided full informed consent.

“The Care Protect technology can allow for personalised access rights, so different people can view different cameras. Relatives of residents, a unit manager, through to senior staff responsible for a group of units would only be able to monitor footage within a clear framework,” Mr Wade said.

“The resident is our priority — their care, their safety and their privacy. Should a resident not want their room to be filmed, the camera in their room will be disabled.

“SA Health will work closely with residents, families and staff to shape this important pilot.”

A steering committee with consumer, stakeholder and government representatives will oversee the pilot then assess its success and how it is received in the community.

The outcomes of the pilot will guide the future use of the technology in SA Health aged care facilities.