Leave of absence You may be allowed to the mental health service for a short time (for example, a few hours, overnight or a weekend) to visit family or friends or for some other purpose. If you would like to have leave, you should talk to a member of the treating team. Your psychiatrist will make the final decision about a request for leave. Seclusion and Restraint Seclusion Seclusion is when a person is kept alone in a room where the doors and windows are locked from the outside. This only happens if it is necessary to protect the person or others from an immediate or imminent risk to their health or safety or to prevent the person from absconding. It is only used when other ways of ensuring safety have failed. Mechanical restraint Mechanical restraint is the use of a device, such as a harness or straps, to restrict a person's freedom to move about. Restraint may be used to enable a person to be medically treated, to prevent the person from injuring himself or herself or others or to prevent the person from persistently destroying property. Approval and monitoring of seclusion and mechanical restraint Seclusion and restraint may be approved by your psychiatrist or, in an emergency, authorised by the senior registered nurse on duty. They can only be used for as long as the above reasons apply. If you are put in a seclusion room or are restrained, staff must give you appropriate bedding, clothing, food and drink at the appropriate times. You can ask staff for food and drink when you want them. They must also provide you with adequate toilet arrangements, including the opportunity to wash. A nurse must review your physical and mental condition at least every 15 minutes. A doctor must also examine you at least every 4 hours, unless your psychiatrist thinks less frequent examinations are appropriate. If you are being restrained you must be monitored continuously. Letters and telephone calls Sch. 10
Leave of absence You may be allowed to the mental health service for a short time (for example, a few hours, overnight or a weekend) to visit family or friends or for some other purpose. If you would like to have leave, you should talk to a member of the treating team. Your psychiatrist will make the final decision about a request for leave. Seclusion and Restraint Seclusion Seclusion is when a person is kept alone in a room where the doors and windows are locked from the outside. This only happens if it is necessary to protect the person or others from an immediate or imminent risk to their health or safety or to prevent the person from absconding. It is only used when other ways of ensuring safety have failed. Mechanical restraint Mechanical restraint is the use of a device, such as a harness or straps, to restrict a person's freedom to move about. Restraint may be used to enable a person to be medically treated, to prevent the person from injuring himself or herself or others or to prevent the person from persistently destroying property. Approval and monitoring of seclusion and mechanical restraint Seclusion and restraint may be approved by your psychiatrist or, in an emergency, authorised by the senior registered nurse on duty. They can only be used for as long as the above reasons apply. If you are put in a seclusion room or are restrained, staff must give you appropriate bedding, clothing, food and drink at the appropriate times. You can ask staff for food and drink when you want them. They must also provide you with adequate toilet arrangements, including the opportunity to wash. A nurse must review your physical and mental condition at least every 15 minutes. A doctor must also examine you at least every 4 hours, unless your psychiatrist thinks less frequent examinations are appropriate. If you are being restrained you must be monitored continuously. Letters and telephone calls Sch. 10
08-111sr003.docx