The public investigation into the fatalities of at least 2,000 individuals receiving mental health care raised “serious concerns” regarding the implementation of a digital monitoring system for patients.

Known as Oxevision, this technology has been adopted by approximately half of the mental health trusts in England and employs infrared sensors and cameras to observe patients who are alone in their rooms, alerting staff if it detects any signs of distress or unusual behavior.

During the Lampard Inquiry, activists expressed worry that staff had become overly dependent on the technology, with many patients describing their experiences as “intrusive, undignified, dehumanizing, and traumatizing.”

The manufacturer of Oxevision claimed that the system is essential in harm prevention, acknowledging, however, that constant video recording of patients could represent a significant breach of privacy.

This week marked the fifth round of hearings led by Baroness Lampard, in what constitutes England’s inaugural public inquiry into the deaths of individuals under mental health care.

The inquiry’s objective is to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the deaths of at least 2,000 patients cared for by the NHS mental health services in Essex from 2000 to 2023.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) previously expressed regret to families during the inquiry.

Counsel for the inquiry, Nicolas Griffin KC, indicated that Oxevision has generated considerable controversy and has been implicated in several recent inquests, including those involving patients Michael Nolan and Morgan Rose-Hart, who passed away in 2022, and Elise Sebastian, who died in April 2021.

Elise was discovered unresponsive in her bedroom at the St Aubyn Centre in Colchester. Although the 16-year-old was scheduled for one-to-one care, an inquest revealed that the Oxevision alert system tied to her room had been silenced, leaving her unattended for 28 minutes.

The coroner noted that EPUT had made modifications to the alert system following this incident.

Oxevision operates as a remote monitoring tool, with its manufacturers asserting it is utilized across half of all NHS mental health trusts in England for inpatient care. Infrared cameras located in patients’ bedrooms can monitor their pulse by detecting “micro-blushes” in the skin—imperceptible to the naked eye—as well as track their breathing through the rise and fall of the chest.

The cameras can also capture images and deliver video feeds lasting up to 15 seconds. Alerts were intended to notify staff on computers and tablets during emergencies.

In their testimony to the inquiry, the advocacy group Stop Oxevision, consisting of current and former NHS patients, claimed the system had caused significant harm. Its spokesperson, Hat Porter, described Oxevision as a “superficial quick fix for broader systemic problems,” highlighting that many patients found the technology to be “intrusive, undignified, dehumanizing, and traumatizing.”

Their research revealed worries about substantial invasions of privacy, the impact of the technology on patients’ health and recovery, and staffing challenges.

Stop Oxevision is scheduled to present at the Lampard Inquiry on Tuesday via a pre-recorded session.

Laura Cozens from LIO, the company once known as Oxehealth, acknowledged, “the platform may not suit everyone, and we recognize that.”

In response to Mr. Griffin KC’s question about whether filming a patient 24/7 constituted a major invasion of privacy, Ms. Cozens replied, “Possibly, yes.”

She added that it is crucial to ensure patients are adequately informed about the usage of the technology, emphasizing its vital role in averting serious incidents, such as falls in dementia care settings. She cited 1,774 instances where staff were aided in addressing situations that could have otherwise resulted in serious harm to patients, noting that the system also helped to reduce staff paperwork.

An EPUT spokesperson stated that Oxevision is utilized by the trust “to enhance patient care on our wards,” clarifying that this practice always occurs alongside thorough clinical assessments and patient consent. “Their safety, care, and recovery remain our top priority,” the spokesperson affirmed.

A representative from the trust is expected to attend the Lampard Inquiry on Tuesday.