• Both the STDC and EDC give lawful authority for a patient to be removed to hospital and to keep that person in hospital for the specified period.
  • Restraint may sometimes be appropriate in enforcing the certificate
  • Restraint has to be a proportionate response to the needs of the patient and the assessed level of risk.
  • All staff involved in the use of restraint must be appropriately trained in doing this.
  • Circumstances where restraint may be appropriate include:
    • Preventing the patient from leaving the custody of staff.
    • Where there is a risk of harm to the patient or others.
    • Facilitating transport of the patient to hospital or a place of safety.
    • Prevention of violence or self harm.
  • Staff in hospital and community settings should act to prevent foreseeable harm to the patient and staff (duty of care), and follow relevant policies to manage these situations.

 

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 28/05/2021

Author(s): Julia Ferrari, Joe McGhee, Duncan Westall, William McFadden, Heather Tainsh , Susan Sutherland, Marie White , Anne Cook, Justin McNicholl, Douglas Armstrong, Dr Nabila Muzaffar, Dr Stuart Affleck, Dr David Cumming, Andrew Angus, Jackie Maher, Rose Mills, Vincent Hughes..