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At HLTH Group, we recognise the pivotal significance of promoting safety, well-being, and dignity in healthcare settings. Recently, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlighted the concept of restrictive practices and their impact on individuals’ mental, physical, and emotional health and as the leader for CQC compliance support, we’re committed to shedding light on this important issue.
๐จ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐
Restrictive practice refers to actions that compel individuals to do something against their will or restrict their desired actions. It can lead to profound consequences on an individual’s overall well-being, potentially infringing on their human rights. While there may be limited situations where restrictive practices are used for safety reasons, they must be employed cautiously and ethically, ensuring the least restrictive approach is adopted.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐
The effects of restrictive practices are multifaceted, affecting mental and physical health while potentially violating human rights. Our primary concern lies in the subtle forms of restrictive practices that can subtly become normalised responses in healthcare settings. These practices can inadvertently compromise person-centered and trauma-informed care, which is essential for the well-being of individuals.
๐ฆ๐๐ฏ๐๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ:
๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ ๐จ๐๐ฒ: Encouraging individuals to use incontinence products to manage their restroom requirements primarily for staff convenience.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ช๐ฎ๐น๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐: Placing walking frames out of reach, unintentionally limiting a person’s movement and confining them to a specific area.
๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ฝ๐: Mandating the use of bibs and feeding cups, potentially diminishing an individual’s autonomy over mealtime choices.
๐๐ป๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ: Insisting on wheelchair use even when individuals are capable and willing to walk, potentially impinging on their mobility.
๐๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฟ, ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ, ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐: Denying access to visitors, friends, or meals due to staffing constraints or time limitations, inadvertently isolating individuals from essential social interactions and nourishment.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ
To effect meaningful change, you will need to recognise the significance of leadership and culture within your organisation. This shift entails listening to individuals, understanding their unique needs and expressions, and responding proactively to avoid situations that escalate to restrictive practices. A key role of leadership is to create environments that prioritise trauma-informed care and recovery.
You can read more on restrictive practices on the CQC website. If you feel your organisation would benefit from receiving support from one of our experts, including leadership & culture training, or compliance support, please get in touch today.