SMA Patient Transport Vehicle Surveillance Policy

Purpose

This operating procedure describes the process SMA employees must follow for patient transport services by State Medical Assistance for NSW Health (HealthShare) Scope

This operating procedure applies to all State Medical Assistance employees responsible for the patient transport service for HealthShare NSW.
In the event of any inconsistencies between this SOP and site-specific SOP’s, this document will prevail. references (AVAILABLE VIA NINTH-bRAIN)
Service Specification for Transport Providers, Patient Transport Providers v3
Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) Escort Guidelines
State Medical Assistance Protocols and Pharmacology
Clinical Handover SOP0007
Clinical Escalation Procedure SOP00004
SMA Smart phone usage Policy v1.0
Infection control procedures SOP0008 Infection Prevention including Hand Hygiene, PPE and SMA Immunisation Policy v2.0
Manual Handling Guidelines and Guidelines Preventing Falls and Harm from Falls.
SMA code of conduct
Code of Conduct for unregistered practitioners

Definitions

SMA State Medical Assistance
PTO Patient Transport Officer
CRN Cardiac Registered Nurse (Resource description)
PTS Patient Transport Service
NEPT Non-Emergency Patient Transport
MDT Mobile Data Terminal / LOGIS
HUB Greater Metropolitan Booking Hub (Dispatch / Radio)

We may use or disclose the surveillance records for purposes authorised under the Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 (NSW) including but not limited to the following circumstances:
- For a legitimate purpose related to the employment of the of the employee; or
- For the legitimate business activities or functions of ours, including internal inquiries and investigations of alleged unlawful activities or activities that are alleged to be in breach of any workplace rule, policy or code of conduct or in breach of a person’s duties to us; or
- At the request by a member or officer of a law enforcement agency for use in connection with the detection, investigation or prosecution of an offence; or
- Directly or indirectly in relation to civil or criminal proceedings; or
- Where it is reasonably necessary to avert an imminent threat of serious violence to persons or of substantial damage to property.
Employees may request access to the surveillance records if they put their requests in writing and outline the reasons behind the request. The request will be reviewed by Manager – Compliance and Risk and / or CEO. Not all requests to access the recorded surveillance will be permitted, each request will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Responsibilities

Maintain a clean vehicle both interior and exterior
Complete vehicle checks to ensure vehicle and staff are able to respond to adverse events and operate professionally
Notify SMA duty manager of any variations to standard practice
Seek approval from SMA duty manager for any paediatric, mental health, infusions / transfusions and bariatric transfers
Advise of any concerns / complaints to the on call duty manager and not to engage in any form of conflict with any party.
Comply with all policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines
Deliver safe and efficient patient transport.
Share driving throughout shift to manage fatigue
Work together as a team in all functions including pushing stretchers & cleaning.
Manage communication with clients and patients professionally.
Be professional at all times and promote SMA and HealthShare NSW
Leave vehicle clean and tidy for next shift

State Medical Assistance Workplace Surveillance Policy

This Workplace Surveillance Policy is maintained by STATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PTY LIMITED ACN 164 973 077 (“we”, “us” and “our”) and relates to the monitoring, collection and use of surveillance records on you performing your duties as an authorized employee, including via access to any Vehicle maintained by us.

We recognize the importance of protecting your privacy and safety at work, in particular information that is capable of identifying an individual (“personal information”) and we are committed to ensuring that we collect and use this personal information only in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988. All other information that is collected through surveillance will be in accordance with the Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 (NSW) and the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW). This Workplace Surveillance Policy governs the manner in which surveillance of the workplace and our company assets, specifically the Vehicles is conducted. This policy will deal with, including but not limited to notification, collection method, access, use and disclosure of surveillance records which we obtain as part of our business operations.

By accepting employment with us, accessing and using our Vehicles, you agree to and acknowledge the content of this Workplace Surveillance Policy. This Policy does not form part of your employment contract.

We reserve the right, at our discretion, to modify, add to or remove portions of this Workplace Surveillance Policy at any time. We will notify you of any such variations or amendments by publishing the updated Workplace Surveillance Policy via Ninthbrain: https://suite.ninthbrain.com/Logon.aspx?companyId=111389. You should review this Workplace Surveillance Policy periodically so that you are updated on any changes.

1. Purpose

The purpose of the policy is to outline the intended use of surveillance by means of camera, audio and tracking devices. This policy will address the surveillance of the employees carrying out their duties and notice requirements. Surveillance of the workplace is intended to safeguard company equipment, monitor malpractice, act as a deterrence to vandalism or destruction of company property and assist with investigations of allegations of misconduct.
The Close Circuit Television cameras have been installed in the Vehicles. A diagram listed at Appendix 1 shows the location and direction of each camera. A separate policy deals with the surveillance of patients, this policy is called Patient Transport Vehicle Surveillance Policy.
This policy will be distributed to employees on 28^th August 2018 and the commencement date of this policy will be the 12^th of September 2018. This will allow for 14 days of notice of workplace surveillance as required by New South Wales legislation.

2. Notice requirement

We will not commence surveillance of employees without previously advising by written notice. Employees will be given 14 days’ notice before surveillance commences.
Any changes or the introduction of new surveillance methods will be communicated with employees in writing. A notice will be given to employees that will state the commencement date of the surveillance. We will outline the type of surveillance and how it will be conducted for example, installation of camera and audio surveillance and GPS and speed monitoring surveillance in the Vehicles. We will specify in the notice to employees if the surveillance we are conducting is going to be for a specified period of time or if it is going to be indefinite. Further to this, we will also inform employees if the surveillance will be continuous or intermittent.
This policy forms part of the notice requirement for all employees.
All new employees will notified of the types of surveillance in the workplace prior to commencing work.

3. Types of Surveillance

We will be primarily conducting four types of surveillance in the Vehicles. The primary types of surveillance is cameras with audio recording, GPS location and speed monitoring. Each Vehicle will be equipped with one internal and two outwards facing CCTV cameras and audio surveillance. This recording will be automatically operated. These Vehicles will equipped with GPS location tracking and speed monitoring surveillance capabilities. At any given time the location and speed of the Vehicles can be monitored to ascertain the whereabouts of the company property and if the employee driving the Vehicle is obeying road speed limits. Camera surveillance will be in accordance with the Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 (NSW). Cameras will be clearly visible in the Vehicles and the Vehicles will be adorned with signs notifying employees of the presence of the cameras. The camera surveillance will be ongoing. Camera 2, which is positioned inside the driver’s cabin, will be the only camera equipped with audio recording capabilities. Whilst Camera 2 is turned on and recording visual image, the audio recording will be switched on.
Express or implied consent is required by law to be given by the person whom will be subject to audio recording. Authorised employees who drive the Vehicles and are present in the cabin shall be required to consent to the making of the audio recording. The audio recording is now a mandatory requirement of the operation of these Vehicles.
Tracking surveillance and speed monitoring of Vehicles will comply with Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW). Each Vehicle will have notices displayed that will explain the forms of overt surveillance conducted.
Express or implied consent is required by law to be given by the person who will be subject to their geographical location being tracked. Authorised employees who drive the Vehicles and are present in the cabin shall be required to consent to the GPS tracking and speed monitor surveillance. The geographical location and speed monitoring surveillance is now a mandatory requirement of the operation of these Vehicles.

4. Disclosure and access of surveillance records

We may use or disclose the surveillance records for purposes authorised under the Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 (NSW) including but not limited to the following circumstances:
- For a legitimate purpose related to the employment of the of the employee; or
- For the legitimate business activities or functions of ours, including internal inquiries and investigations of alleged unlawful activities or activities that are alleged to be in breach of any workplace rule, policy or code of conduct or in breach of a person’s duties to us; or
- At the request by a member or officer of a law enforcement agency for use in connection with the detection, investigation or prosecution of an offence; or
- Directly or indirectly in relation to civil or criminal proceedings; or
- Where it is reasonably necessary to avert an imminent threat of serious violence to persons or of substantial damage to property.
Employees may request access to the surveillance records if they put their requests in writing and outline the reasons behind the request. The request will be reviewed by Manager – Compliance and Risk and / or CEO. Not all requests to access the recorded surveillance will be permitted, each request will be reviewed on a case by case basis.