Oxevision, a patient surveillance system, has been linked to at least four deaths in NHS trusts, including that of Morgan-Rose Hart, an 18-year-old aspiring vet who died in a mental health unit in Essex in July 2022. The system, which can measure a patient’s pulse rate and breathing without physical intervention, has been rolled out in nearly half of mental health trusts in England.
Hart’s death, along with that of two other patients, has raised concerns about the reliance on Oxevision as a substitute for physical observations by staff. Families have reported that the system caused distress and may have contributed to the deaths of their loved ones. Concerns have also been raised about patient privacy, consent, and conflicts of interest in the research supporting the use of Oxevision.
An inquiry led by Baroness Lampard is examining deaths of mental health inpatients under the care of NHS trusts in Essex, with calls to include the role of Oxevision in the investigation. Advocates for responsible and ethical deployment of the technology emphasize the need for patient consent and ensuring that human rights are respected.
Oxehealth, the company behind Oxevision, maintains that the technology has positive benefits for patient safety, citing reductions in self-harm and improved sleep. The company welcomes dialogue on the responsible use of the system and states that it complies with NHS England principles on digital technologies in mental health care.
NHS England has instructed mental health trusts to review their use of visual monitoring systems to ensure they are used in a compassionate and humane manner. The debate over the use of Oxevision continues, with concerns about patient safety, privacy, and the need for independent research to evaluate the technology’s efficacy.
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