Responsibility: State and territory governments
Response:
NSW: Accept
ACT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA, NT: Note
This recommendation was directed to the New South Wales Government.
New South Wales
Response: Accept
Status: In progress
What has been achieved to date
In early 2025 NSW Health commenced a statewide review of its Policy Directive on Seclusion and Restraint in NSW Health Settings. This applies to all NSW health settings, including the NSW Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network.
Justice Health NSW has also reviewed and updated local procedures to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint, including:
- the Justice Health NSW Seclusion and Restraint procedure (updated in May 2023)
- the Justice Health NSW Enforced Medication, Seclusion and Restraint - Mental Health Unit, Long Bay Hospital Procedure (updated in June 2024).
The Forensic Hospital in Malabar has reduced seclusion and enhanced interventions through comprehensive training, strengthened patient advocacy, and improved care processes. Senior staff have participated in collaborative initiatives with the Ministry of Health to share expertise and reduce restrictive practices, improving overall patient care.
NSW government response July 2024
NSW Health is undertaking a review of Policy Directive, Seclusion and Restraint in NSW Health Settings (PD2020_004), which will examine the circumstances in which seclusion is used, authorised and reviewed. NSW Health expects the revised policy to be released in 2026.
Reducing and where possible eliminating the use of seclusion and restraint remains a priority of NSW Health. Seclusion and restraint are only used in accordance with legislation, to manage the risk to the safety of the patient, staff and public.
What the Disability Royal Commission said in the final report
The New South Wales Government should review existing policy regarding the use of seclusion for adults with cognitive disability in the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, including the use of clearly designated authorisation and mandatory clinical and administrative review.
More recommendations
View progress on other recommendations made by the Royal Commission.