Restrictive Practices in Health Care and Disability Settings: Legal, Policy and Practical Responses

This volume explores different models of regulating the use of restrictive practices in health care and institutional settings.

The authors examine the legislation, policies, inspection, enforcement and accreditation of restrictive practices, and discuss the pros and cons of each approach. They also explore the importance of factors such as organizational culture and staff training to the effective implementation of regulatory regimes. In doing so, the collection provides a solid evidence base for both the development and implementation of a consistent and effective approach to restrictive practices that prioritises the minimisation, and, ultimately, their elimination across health care sectors. Divided into five parts, the volume covers new ground in multiple respects. First, it addresses the use of restrictive practices across mental health, disability and aged care settings, creating opportunities for new insights and interdisciplinary conversations across traditionally siloed sectors. Second, it includes contributions from research academics, clinicians, regulators and mental health consumers, offering a rich and comprehensive picture of existing regulatory regimes and options for designing and implementing regulatory approaches that address the failings of current systems. Finally, it incorporates comparative perspectives from Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Germany and England.

The book is an invaluable resource for regulators, policymakers, lawyers, clinicians, consumer advocates and academics grappling with the use and regulation of restrictive practices in mental health, disability and aged care contexts.