Statutory guidance

Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018

Guidance for NHS hospitals and independent hospitals (providing NHS-funded care) in England about how to comply with the requirements of the act.

From:
Department of Health and Social Care
Published
7 December 2021

Documents

Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018: statutory guidance for NHS organisations in England, and police forces in England and Wales

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PDF, 333 KB, 58 pages

Details

Applies to: England (and police forces in Wales)

The became law in November 2018. The aim of the act and the statutory guidance is to:

  • clearly set out the measures that are needed to prevent the inappropriate use of force
  • ensure accountability and transparency about the use of force in mental health units

The use of force includes:

  • physical, mechanical or chemical restraint of a patient
  • the isolation of a patient, including seclusion and segregation

This statutory guidance is intended for use by NHS hospitals and independent hospitals (providing NHS-funded care) in England that are providing care and treatment to patients with a mental disorder. It covers:

  • how they should meet the legal obligations placed on them by the act
  • best practice advice
  • the obligations on police officers from Wales when in mental health units in England

This statutory guidance is made under . It was finalised following a public consultation, which the government has published a response to.

Updates to this page

Published 7 December 2021

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