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Dept of Health

Answer

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what restraint procedures are allowed to be used within a psychiatric hospital when a patient becomes violent or aggressive to ensure that the patient or members of staff are not physically injured; and if he will make a statement. [184133] Ms Rosie Winterton: Guidance on the use of restraint, for those detained under section of the Mental Health Act 1983, is laid out in the Mental Health Act Code of Practice. Section 19.12 of the Code of Practice states that: "Any restraint used should: be reasonable in the circumstance; apply the minimum force necessary to prevent harm to the patient or others; be used for only as long as is necessary; be sensitive to gender and race issues." Trusts should regularly audit their control and restraint procedures consistent with the framework of clinical governance. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently carrying out its final consultation on its guidance, "Disturbed (violent) behaviour: the short- term management of disturbed (violent) behaviour in in- patient psychiatric settings", which is scheduled for publication later in the year. In February this year, "Developing Positive Practice to Support the Safe and Therapeutic Management of Aggression and Violence in Mental Health In-patient Settings" was issued to assist services by the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) programme on the management of violence. The NIMHE programme is also developing a scheme for regulation and accreditation for trainers and training in the prevention and management of aggression and violence in mental health services.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

184133; 424 c120-1W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Mental illness Psychiatric patients Mental health services Psychiatric hospitals Violence Restraint techniques

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk