Research in brief. Review of seclusion policies in high secure hospitals and medium secure units in England, Scotland and Wales

Abstract

Seclusion is the supervised confinement of a patient in a room, which may be locked, to protect the patient and others from significant harm. The Code of Practice of the Mental Health Act 1983 (ibid) sets standards for seclusion practices that are designed to maintain the safety of the patient in conditions which are as humane as possible. The aim of the study was to survey the use of seclusion and seclusion policies and procedures used in medium and high secure units in England, Scotland and Wales. It is hoped that this article will stimulate debate about seclusion practice amongst nurses, doctors and other members of the multiprofessional teams. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)