Staff at four Greater Manchester hospitals to start wearing body-worn cameras after rise ‘abusive behaviour’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Body-worn cameras NHS staff

Frontline staff at four hospitals in Greater Manchester are set to start wearing body-worn cameras on their shifts.

In a move designed to protect and keep frontline healthcare colleagues safe following a noticeable rise in ‘abusive behaviour’ directed towards them, Northern Care Alliance has announced that it has made the decision to introduce body-worn cameras across all four of our hospitals in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, and Salford.

It’s hoped that these small cameras will help create an overall ‘safer environment’ for staff and visitors, and also allow the NHS to use the footage as evidence in any criminal or civil court action.

The body cameras are now in place following a successful trial at Fairfield General Hospital last year.

They will be worn by all designated clinical staff with the aim of reducing violent incidents of threatening behaviour for both staff and other patients.

ADVERTISEMENT

So, how will they work?

The Northern Care Alliance has explained that the cameras are only activated when a worker feels threatened and only after informing the individual involved. Once switched on, they record both video and audio, creating a clear, unbiased account of what happened. This footage can be used to support investigations and deter future incidents.

ADVERTISEMENT
Staff at four Greater Manchester hospitals are to start wearing body-worn cameras after a rise ‘abusive behaviour’ / Credit: Pxhere

“As a team working on the frontline of emergency care, we have welcomed the introduction of body‑worn cameras as an important step in protecting both our staff and our patients,” commented Julie Newton, who is the lead nurse in the Emergency Department at Fairfield General Hospital.

“Unfortunately, incidents of violence and aggression do occur, and these devices provide an objective record that helps ensure situations are managed safely and appropriately.

“Knowing that footage can support investigations and, where necessary, prosecution gives our colleagues greater confidence and reassurance.

Read more:

“Most importantly, the cameras help us create a safer, more respectful environment so we can focus on delivering the best possible care to those who need us.” 

Featured Image – Northern Care Alliance NHS

The EFL Championship set to expand playoffs to six teams in controversial move

Danny Jones Danny Jones Championship playoffs six teams from next season

The English Football League (EFL) has confirmed that it will be expanding the Championship playoffs to six teams moving forward.

In one of the biggest changes, not just to the second tier but the domestic football pyramid in some time, it’s so far divided opinion – and that’s putting it mildly.

Starting from next season, the Championship will see half a dozen compete in its final knockout phase, meaning that the conclusion to the 2026/27 campaign has the potential to be even tastier than ever.

Besides the increased competition this will bring to the division itself, in turn, it could also help further mix things up in the Premier League too.

Revealing the watershed news on Thursday, 5 March, the EFL shared the update online, which has certainly left fans split over the decision.

Well, in truth, it seems the majority have been left shocked and angered by the announcement, with many responding with comments like, “Who asked for this?” and “Final nail in the coffin”, as well as citing “money” and “nothing but greed” as the main drivers for the changes.

EFL clubs obviously voted for the big shake-up as the added chance of fighting their way into the top flight will no doubt benefit them financially.

It remains to be seen whether this could signal similar adjustments made further down the ranks.

However, as many replied under the posts on social media, one key fear is that a team finishing in 8th – the new threshold for making it into the playoff stages – will be “slaughtered in the Prem” and that, if anything, it will highlight and/or widen the gap between the two leagues even more.

Most simply said that the current system is just “fine as it is” and “if ain’t broke don’t fix it”, but it looks like the wheels are already well and truly in motion.

Safe to say that this is just a small taste of the overall reactions and almost universal consensus…

As detailed in the official statement by the EFL, Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, said: “Since their introduction in 1986/87, the Play-Offs have become a highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special.

“Following several months of discussion with Clubs and other stakeholders, we are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition and give more Clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion.”

They also clarified that “the exact final format will be agreed later in 2026.”

Are you a fan of a Championship club? Even if not, what do you make of the impending and controversial changes kicking off this year?

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Ben Sutherland (via Flickr)/EFL

More

Art & Culture

ABBA-solutely brilliant – Mamma Mia! rocks Manchester’s Palace Theatre | Review

the best pie places in manchester

Bolton

Where to find the very best pies in Greater Manchester

Boroughs

TfGM unveils ‘significant’ programme of Metrolink engineering works to run throughout 2026

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches