Mental Health Act 2016 Report—Review of the use of seclusion and restraint

Read the review into the use of seclusion and mechanical and physical restraint by health service systems and the resulting recommendations.

Background of the review

In late 2022, the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist, in collaboration with authorised mental health services, conducted an external review to consider how seclusion and mechanical and physical restraint were used across the mental health, alcohol and other drug service system. It also aimed to identify key themes, lessons and actions to support improvement in clinical practice to reduce and, where possible, eliminate the use of seclusion and restraint.

This independent review was established under the Mental Health Act 2016 and Dr Nathan Gibson, Chief Psychiatrist of Western Australia, was appointed to lead it.

The published report

The Mental Health Act 2016 Report: Review into the use of Seclusion, Mechanical Restraint and Physical Restraint under the Queensland Mental Health Act (PDF 8182 kB) was published in November 2023.

The recommendations from the review apply across the mental health, alcohol and other drug service system and are relevant to other parts of the public health service system.

The Queensland Health response (PDF 202 kB) outlines the key enhancements and initiatives being implemented across the service system as a result of the report.

We acknowledge that coordinated actions will be needed, led by the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist with wider Department of Health input and local Hospital and Health Services support, for the system transformation envisioned by the report.