Physically restricting mental health patients can often harm them. Compassion could change that

Restrictive practices in mental health setting – such as physical restraint and seclusion – are meant to be a last resort, used only when patients pose a risk to themselves or others.

In 2021 and 2022 NHS England reported  that 6,600 patients were subjected to physical restraint and 4,500 to seclusion.   Figures such as these have led numerous experts and policymakers to conclude that restrictive practices are overused in inpatient settings.

For decades the profession has called for a reduction in the use of these techniques, but progress remains slow. The consequences of the practice can be devastating resulting in trauma, worsening mental health and even death. This article proposes a different approach (opens new window) by identifying the core factors that affect the decision making process.