Reducing Restrictive Practices

Safe in Care, Safe at Work

The Commission engaged the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) to undertake work aimed at reducing restrictive practices and ensuring both safety in care and safety for staff in Australian mental health services.

The project extends previous work undertaken by the ACMHN in a project funded by the Commission, Supporting Mental Health Professionals towards cultural and clinical change: Facilitating ongoing reduction in seclusion and restraint in inpatient mental health settings in Australia. The project reflects a recognition of the importance of safety in care and at work, and is a response to an ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders, including mental health nurses, consumers, carers and industry.

The project includes a package of documents comprised of:

• an audit toolkit for services
• the Australian adaption of the Six Core Strategies checklist
• and a list of guiding documents to reduce seclusion and restraint.

An abridged version for mental health staff and managers was developed that emphasises the use of the checklist to guide the reduction of seclusion and restraint. Both documents can be downloaded below.

For more information, please read the ACMHN's media release and visit the ACMHN website.

The National Mental Health Commission commends the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council for endorsing national definitions for mechanical and physical restraint in mental health services.

The key principles define restrictive practices as a last resort, while the dignity and rights of people accessing mental health services should be respected and supported at all times.

Reducing, and where possible eliminating, restrictive practices in mental health services has been a key national mental health safety and quality priority.

The national principles aim to establish a consistent best practice approach to support the goal of eliminating the use of mechanical and physical restraint by mental health services.

It is envisaged the principles will guide and support the development and review of detailed jurisdictional operational guidelines as appropriate across a range of service settings. The principles are intended to apply to all mental health services in Australia.

The Commission also endorses the document which outlines the national principles for communicating about restrictive practices with consumers and carers.

How you can get involved

In 2013 we launched the Seclusion and Restraint Declaration to encourage people to show their support for reducing and eliminating seclusion and restraint. We were encouraged by the response from individuals and organisations that have signed the Declaration and committed to being part of driving change. 

• Display your Declaration around your home or office.
• Show your support via social media. 
• Discuss the issues with friends, family and colleagues and encourage them to sign the Declaration.