Ten NHS trusts referred over monitoring consent
Ten NHS trusts have been reported to the Care Quality Commission over concerns regarding patient consent for the use of infrared monitoring technology. The inquiry follows investigations into patient safety and human rights within mental health units.
Why it matters
It highlights the ethical and legal tensions between implementing digital surveillance for patient safety and maintaining individual privacy and consent rights.
Image caption, Oxevision uses infrared sensors and cameras to monitor patients while they are in their bedrooms
East of England health correspondent Published 6 October 2026, 06:42 BST Ten mental health trusts have been reported to the health regulator after problems with patient consent procedures when monitoring patients using camera technology.
The issue emerged during the latest hearings of the Lampard Inquiry, which is examining the deaths of more than 2,000 people who spent time in mental health units in Essex between 2000 and the end of 2023.
The infrared technology is used in patients' bedrooms and can monitor breathing and pulse without staff having to enter the room.
NHS England told the inquiry it had passed information to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after reviewing the use of digital monitoring systems, including Oxevision.
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