Mental Health Solicitors

Chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, Paul Farmer, has responded to data obtained by MP Norman Lamb and shared with the BBC, which highlight that the use of physical restraint has increased in many mental health trusts in England.

Paul Farmer said that physical restraint could be “humiliating, terrifying, dangerous and even life-threatening” – adding that Mind has been campaigning for a reduction in how much the practice is used.

“Prone restraint, when a person is pinned facedown on the floor, can be particularly dangerous,” said Mr Farmer.

“Our 2013 research shows that some trusts used facedown physical restraint too readily in their response to managing a crisis situation.

“Often there are problems and practices on wards that lead to restraint – including provocation, poor communication, a lack of understanding by staff, as well as avoidable escalation of difficult situations.”

Mr Farmer said that the data Norman Lamb obtained under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act shows that in many trusts, the use of restraint has increased.

Mr Farmer said this was “worrying but not surprising”.

“When we collected our own data in 2013, we found lots of trusts hadn’t recorded it properly,” he added.

“It’s vital that trusts transparently record and publish this data, without someone having to obtain it under FoI.

“It takes time for changes to be delivered on the ground – but what’s really important is that we keep up momentum for change and make sure every trust is working towards ending the use of deliberate facedown restraint.

“The NHS is coming to the end of a two-year programme to reduce restrictive practices such as seclusion and restraint – and to put an end to deliberate facedown restraint.

“Every trust in England should now be implementing new policies and retraining their staff in alternative techniques, so that restraint is only ever used as a last resort,” Mr Farmer added.

Earlier in September, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced £68 million in funding for mental health research, including a new Biomedical Research Centre.

Paul Farmer said:

“We’re pleased to see this important £68 million investment in mental health research as the first step towards this – and hope this will lay the foundation for a sea change in mental health research.

“This extra funding will help increase our knowledge of the causes of mental health problems – and might even lead to the discovery of new, more effective treatments, with fewer side effects.

“It's important that the partnerships bring together people with mental health problems, their families, professionals and researchers to prioritise those areas which will make the most difference to people's lives.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals to advise on mental health law – and are available nationwide at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 020 3114 1124.