Over 70 Cases Of Physical Restraint Used At Midlands Mental Health Facilities

The findings have been released in the Mental Health Commission's latest report.

There were 73 instances of physical restraint used in midlands mental health facilities last year.

That's a drop of 23 on 2017 - according to figures in the Mental Health Commission's latest report.

The practice was used twice last year in the Maryborough Centre at St. Fintan's in Portlaoise; 16 times in St. Bridget and St. Marie Goretti's Ward at the Cluain Lír Care Centre in Mullingar; and 55 times in the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

There were also 62 cases of secluding inpatients at Portlaoise Hospital in 2018.

Nationally, the practice of physical restraint and seclusion has increased by 57% over the last decade.

Chief Executive of the Commission, John Farrelly, says there are a number of reasons for the rise:

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