Government outlines plans to reduce use of seclusion and restraint in NSW hospitals

Georgina Cooke

The NSW Government has announced plans to visit acute mental health units as part of a review into the use of restrictive practices including seclusion and restraint by health professionals across the state.

The review, which will be undertaken by an expert panel led by NSW Chief Psychiatrist Murray Wright, will also investigate a sample of cases where patients with a mental illness have been restrained and make a recommendation as to how the practice could be reduced.

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WARNING; DISTRESSING IMAGES: CCTV vision shows Miriam Merten wandering the corridors of Lismore Base Hospital where she died after falling 20 times. NO AUDIO

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Naked, drugged and secluded

WARNING; DISTRESSING IMAGES: CCTV vision shows Miriam Merten wandering the corridors of Lismore Base Hospital where she died after falling 20 times. NO AUDIO

Currently, health practitioners are able to undertake all possible measures to minimise "disturbed or aggressive behaviour" insofar as they do not compromise the rights or dignity of the patient under the NSW Mental Health Act (2007).

An investigation conducted by Fairfax Media earlier this month revealed children were particularly vulnerable, with some kept in seclusion for up to 38 hours.

Health intensive care units and emergency departments will be inspected under the review, while face-to-face consultations and workshops with key stakeholders will also be conducted.

The investigation was launched by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Mental Health Minister Tanya Davies following the release of disturbing footage of a patient in a NSW hospital.

Miriam Merten, 46, died after falling at least 20 times after she was locked naked in a seclusion room and chemically restrained at Lismore Base Hospital in 2014.

The "traumatic and hypoxic" brain injury Ms Merten sustained as a result of the falls on her carers' watch were ultimately fatal.

Findings of the review are expected to be handed down to Mr Hazzard and Ms Davies no later than December 8.