Privacy concerns raised for mental health patients

An investigation is under way after footage of staff and mental health clients at residential houses was livestreamed to another area.

The potential privacy breach is being investigated by Stepping Stone Trust – a not-for-profit charitable trust funded by the Canterbury District Health Board to provide residential and community-based support services for people experiencing mental distress.

The cameras were initially put in public areas of the trust’s residential houses, such as entranceways, for the safety of its clients, mainly when staff were not on site.

They were later installed to oversee areas where medication is stored.

It is understood staff were assured the footage would only be watched in the event of an incident, or a suspected theft.

A source said they felt it was a significant privacy breach because clients and staff did not know the cameras were streaming live footage to monitors at another site, which other staff had access to. “It was understood by staff the cameras were initially put in for the safety of the clients when staff were not on site, but somewhere along the line they started filming and livestreaming to another site, without the knowledge or consent of the staff or clients.”

The source was also concerned that clients who could have been filmed were not told and their families had not been informed.

“The patients involved are very vulnerable people with severe mental health issues, and many of them do not have the capacity to understand what has happened, or their rights.”

Trust chief executive Tim Butcher said a concern was raised about the use and monitoring of security cameras in its residential services. He said cameras were used in the medication clinics to ensure safe administration of medication, and in public areas of houses that were not always staffed to ensure resident safety.

“There are signs noting that CCTV is operating. However, our trust is committed to upholding the Privacy Act 2020 and to respecting the rights of the people we support and our staff.

“We take all concerns seriously and as such are currently investigating this matter fully,” he said.

Health New Zealand-Te Whatu Ora regional manager Chris Nolan said the agency was aware of the review by Stepping Stones Trust.

“We don’t have any comment at this point other than it’s important to review practice and provide care and services that are safe for tangata whai ora (people seeking wellness) and staff.”