Content Warning: Please be advised that some of the safety and quality topics covered in the Policies, Standards and Reports section may be distressing to read about. Please take care when reading this material, and if needed speak with a support person you know or call a telephone support line. Details of support services can be read on this link
The Chief Psychiatrist has developed a Chief Psychiatrist Standard: Reduce and Eliminate where possible the Use of Restraint and Seclusion applied under the Mental Health Act 2009
The Standard applies to all those involved in the administration and operation of the Mental Health Act 2009 across public and private settings.
The use of restraint or seclusion has the potential to increase the risk of trauma and or trigger symptoms of past experiences of trauma. It is a last resort option only to maintain safety for all .
Compliance with the Standard is from 1 July 2021, as indicated within the current version.
Any feedback about the Standard and implementation can be emailed to Health.OCPSafetyQuality@sa.gov.au
The Standard is accompanied by the following Fact Sheets:
- Activity Programs for Mental Health Unit - looks at the rationale behind activity programs and the expectations of inpatient programs and the resources required. It also includes an Activity Sheet form for consumers
- Agitation Scales - explains what agitation scales are and how to complete Agitated Behaviour Scale (ABS) Rating form. It also includes the Agitated Behaviour Scale (ABS) Rating form
- Effective Limit Setting - how you can help consumers understand what is happening and what is being offered to them
- Comfort Plan - Looks at the triggers to a person becoming distressed, personalised signs and symptoms of their distress and strategies they find calming. The Comfort Tool is included and can be altered to accommodate specific consumer groups and available resources within individual service settings
- Sensory Modulation - covers technique examples and therapeutic activity examples
- Trauma Informed Post Incident Conversation Guide - Is a guide to a post-incident conversation between staff, individuals and family members (where relevant) using trauma informed approaches. It can be used by staff or the lived experience workforce and is not limited to use after the occurrence of a restrictive practice incident but following any incident that has caused distress.
- Approval of Mechanical Devices - includes an Application Form for approval of new devices .The approval and application is based on the requirements of the Chief Psychiatrist under the Mental Health Act 2009 s6 (a) (ii) to ensure that persons with a severe mental illness retain their freedom, rights, dignity and self-respect as far as is consistent with their protection, the protection of the public and the proper delivery of the services and at s90 (1) (b) to monitor the treatment of patients and the use of restrictive practices in relation to such patients
Updated 1 July 2021