Creating Safety: Addressing Seclusion Practices

The "National safety priorities in mental health: a national plan for reducing harm", endorsed by the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (October 2005) has identified seclusion as one of the four national safety priorities in mental health.

The Victorian Quality Council (VQC) and the Chief Psychiatrist’s Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) have formed a partnership to embark on a quality improvement initiative aimed at enhancing safety in inpatient environments and to address the use of seclusion within Victoria’s Area Mental Health Services.

In Victoria, there were 7989 reported episodes of seclusion in 2005, affecting 2166 mental health consumers. Adverse events and experiences related to the practice seclusion have been reported by consumers and by services.

The Chief Psychiatrist and Health Services Commissioner’s complaint investigations indicate that the standard of practice of seclusion is variable amongst mental health services in Victoria.

To address this nationally identified need for improvement, the VQC and the QAC have commenced a joint project to address seclusion practices.

Current status:

For information on the project’s current status, please visit the Creating Safety Addressing Seclusion Practices website.