CQC: Out of sight – who cares?: Restraint, segregation and seclusion review (23 October 2020)

Summary

This report, from the Care Quality Commission, looks at the use of restraint, seclusion and segregation in care services for people with a mental health condition, a learning disability or autistic people.

Content

Summary of recommendations

Taking the learning from good practice, the CQC want to see tangible progress on four key areas. Below is a summary of the CQC's recommendations.

1. People with a learning disability and or autistic people who may also have a mental health condition should be supported to live in their communities. This means prompt diagnosis, local support services and effective crisis intervention.
2. People who are being cared for in hospital in the meantime must receive high-quality, person-centred, specialised care in small units. This means the right staff who are trained to support their needs supporting them along a journey to leave hospital.
3. There must be renewed attempts to reduce restrictive practice by all health and social care providers, commissioners and others. We have seen too many examples of inappropriate restrictions that could have been avoided. We know in absolute emergencies this may be necessary, but we want to be clear – it should not be seen as a way to care for someone.
4. There must be increased oversight and accountability for people with a learning disability, and or autistic people who may also have a mental health problem. There must be a single point of accountability to oversee progress in this policy area.