Recently a whole new secirity system has been installed in a local agency's building. It has CCTV camera covering the outside, including the entrance, and large parts of the interior, including the waitig areas. (But, as far as I know, not the consulting rooms).

It is part of the Trust's overall scheme to improve security and protection of staff and patients. However, there seems to be a long list of people and agencies (including the police)that can simply request and obtain access to the 'data' contained. (This is high definition, zoom in close, panoptic kit).

It strikes me that this is against the confidentiality that drug treatment agencies need to provide to encourage service users to attend.

Does anyone else have a policy that is clear about how recordings can be used and for what purposes?

I can envisage a request to view following an incident, and identification taking place of everyone in the buildng and its vicinity.

There used to be an issue of police hanging around needle exchanges, clinics and pharmacies to locate wanted individuals which caused problems. This seem to be a possible repeat performance. Any one any ideas or examples of good practice in this regard?

The word 'No' can sometimes lead to a negative response from a patient. I would not want CCTV in a consulting room but I'd wonder what dangerous activity might happen in a corridor?
I'm not sure I'd want CCTV in all areas of a clinic it's just nuts and most patients don't cause any problems. If things get so bad I'll think about taking weapons to work or just go and drive Trucks.