The Welsh Government has launched a new set of resources it hopes healthcare organisations can use to reduce the use of restrictive practices and ultimately “make a real difference to people’s lives.”
The Reducing Restrictive Practices Framework gives those working in adult and children’s healthcare, social care and educational settings guidance on restrictive practices — also known as restraint.
The resources include an animation, a poster and an explainer document. The animation, written and produced by those with lived experience, depicts the eight types of restrictive practice:
- Physical
- Chemical
- Mechanical
- Enforced isolation
- Psychological
- Cultural
- Surveillance
- Blanket
Restrictive practices can be obvious or subtle activities that stop people from doing the things they want to do.
— Welsh Government Health and Social Care (@WGHealthandCare) June 26, 2024
We've produced a framework for those working with children and adults, which gives clear and unequivocal rights to looked after children.
👇 https://t.co/gGW6WzO3eC pic.twitter.com/Rsnh7Ifdla
The inventory — which has been developed by the devolved government in partnership with the Restraint Reduction Network and Improvement Cymru — also aims to platform discussion on the topic and improve public knowledge. The three collaborators are expected to host a webinar on 24 July 2024 to officially launch the resources.
“We know that restrictive practices can have a negative impact on the people they are used on, as well as those who implement and witness them,” said Wales’ social care minister, Dawn Bowden, welcoming the announcement.
“We hope this new set of awareness raising resources will reduce the use of restrictive practices in the future, and increase knowledge of the harm they can cause."
CEO at the Restraint Reduction Network, Ben Higgins, added: “We are delighted to support the launch of the Welsh Government’s new resources for practitioners working in health, care and educational settings, created as part of the Reducing Restrictive Practices Framework.
“We hope that this coproduced animation increases understanding of restrictive practices — what they are, the harm they cause and how to reduce and prevent them — supporting practitioners to reduce the use of restraint in Wales and make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Image credit: iStock
