News
New Guideline on the Use of Detention and Restraint in Non-Authorised Healthcare Settings
Download page as PDFThe Chief Psychiatrist is pleased to present the Chief Psychiatrist’s Guideline on the Use of Detention and Restraint in Non-Authorised Healthcare Settings.
The Guideline sets out the requirements for the use of detention and restraint in a non-authorised healthcare setting, within a human rights and best practice-based framework. It aims to help service managers, clinical leaders, clinical staff, and support staff such as security officers understand and manage their obligations in providing a safe, therapeutic culture and environment for consumers, carers, and staff.
Services may use this Guideline as the basis on which to develop local procedures and training on the lawful use of detention and restraint in non-authorised healthcare settings, and should ensure these documents and training are consistent with the policy framework and training template being developed by the Department of Health.
The Chief Psychiatrist is very grateful to the lived experience consultants, carers, mental health advocates, clinicians, security staff, other stakeholders and colleagues from the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist whose expertise has been instrumental in the development of this Guideline.
Please note, this Guideline is not to be considered legal advice. It is a tool to assist clinical governance, clinical decision-making and practice.
Dr Nathan Gibson
Chief Psychiatrist of Western Australia