- The Lampard Inquiry into mental health patient deaths in Essex is considering emergency interim guidance on the use of the Oxevision camera monitoring system on hospital wards.
- Campaigners and legal representatives claim the technology poses safety risks, alleging care staff have substituted direct human observation with digital monitoring, leading to fatal outcomes.
- Currently used by half of England's mental health trusts, Oxevision remotely tracks patient movement and vital signs, but families contend system alerts have been ignored or muted.
- Bereaved families and lawyers are calling for an immediate halt to 24-hour non-consensual monitoring and demanding mandatory face-to-face CPR training for mental health staff.
- System creator Lio acknowledged that the camera monitoring may invade privacy and is not suitable for all patients, but maintained it successfully prevents serious harm and reduces administrative tasks.
- If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
- If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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