This fact sheet outlines the actions being undertaken by NSW Health to improve patient safety in mental health care following the Review of seclusion, restraint and observation of consumers with a mental illness in NSW Health facilities.
Following the ‘Review of seclusion, restraint and observation of consumers with a mental illness in NSW Health facilities’, we will implement the following recommendations.
Every local health district and specialty health network will invite patients, carers and their families to be included in designing their prevention action plans. To find out more, contact your local health district.
Patient safety programs use proven methods to study and improve care. NSW Health has examples of successful patient safety programs led by the Clinical Excellence Commission. These include the adult patient safety and paediatric patient safety programs. The Clinical Excellence Commission has expertise and has supported health services to apply tools and techniques to improve the quality and safety of care.
Mental health safety programs use the same methods and work in partnership with consumers, carers and families to improve safety in mental health services. The Scottish Patient Safety Programme for Mental Health is an example of an effective patient safety program. It includes the reduction of seclusion and restraint as one part of safety improvement.
While most individual services have made progress in reducing seclusion and restraint, there has not been a sustained statewide approach. A statewide program will provide more opportunities for shared learning and innovation. With a wider reach, it is expected to have greater impact and deliver more sustainable results.