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NT psychiatric patients face highest solitary seclusion rate in Australia NT psychiatric patients face highest solitary seclusion rate in Australia
(2 months later)
Psychiatric patients in Northern Territory hospitals face the highest solitary confinement rates in the country, according to new national statistics released on Friday.Psychiatric patients in Northern Territory hospitals face the highest solitary confinement rates in the country, according to new national statistics released on Friday.
The statistics, which detail the use of seclusion in Australian hospitals from 2008 to 2012, also reveal that children and adolescent patients were most likely to be secluded in hospitals, with an average of 20.9 incidents of seclusion out of every 1,000 bed days. Seclusion is defined as confinement alone in an area or room where free exit is not permitted.The statistics, which detail the use of seclusion in Australian hospitals from 2008 to 2012, also reveal that children and adolescent patients were most likely to be secluded in hospitals, with an average of 20.9 incidents of seclusion out of every 1,000 bed days. Seclusion is defined as confinement alone in an area or room where free exit is not permitted.
The publication of an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report into the use of restrictive practices during admitted patient care is the first time national statistics on solitary confinement have been published. The report follows the release of a briefing document, obtained by The Australian on Wednesday and seen by Guardian Australia, which detailed some of the numbers.The publication of an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report into the use of restrictive practices during admitted patient care is the first time national statistics on solitary confinement have been published. The report follows the release of a briefing document, obtained by The Australian on Wednesday and seen by Guardian Australia, which detailed some of the numbers.
The FOI document and subsequent report also show that rates of seclusion have been dropping since 2008. The nationwide rate between 2008 and 2009 was 15.6, which dropped to 10.6 in 2011-12. But the seclusion rates for children and adolescents have not fallen.The FOI document and subsequent report also show that rates of seclusion have been dropping since 2008. The nationwide rate between 2008 and 2009 was 15.6, which dropped to 10.6 in 2011-12. But the seclusion rates for children and adolescents have not fallen.
Despite the falling national rate, the Australian Human Rights Commission disability discrimination commissioner, Graeme Innes, expressed concern at the most recent rates. He told The Australian the statistics indicated that “these (instances of) removal of freedoms may not be being used as an absolute last resort”.Despite the falling national rate, the Australian Human Rights Commission disability discrimination commissioner, Graeme Innes, expressed concern at the most recent rates. He told The Australian the statistics indicated that “these (instances of) removal of freedoms may not be being used as an absolute last resort”.
The report also highlights a large fluctuation across states. Whilst the Northern Territory had an average of 25.7 incidents out 1,000 bed days 2011 to 2012, the ACT had just 1.3.The report also highlights a large fluctuation across states. Whilst the Northern Territory had an average of 25.7 incidents out 1,000 bed days 2011 to 2012, the ACT had just 1.3.
A spokesperson for the Northern Territory Department of Health said the statistics highlighted that facilities available to psychiatric patients in the NT were not as diverse or advanced as in other states.A spokesperson for the Northern Territory Department of Health said the statistics highlighted that facilities available to psychiatric patients in the NT were not as diverse or advanced as in other states.
“The NT has relatively few beds and all of these cater to people experiencing the most acute illness presentations. Other jurisdictions have a mix of different units and bed types – for example, long-stay beds and beds for older persons – which are likely to have a lower seclusion rate,” the spokesperson said.“The NT has relatively few beds and all of these cater to people experiencing the most acute illness presentations. Other jurisdictions have a mix of different units and bed types – for example, long-stay beds and beds for older persons – which are likely to have a lower seclusion rate,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the statistics were not presented according to a “nationally agreed standardised data collection process”, arguing that comparisons between states were not like for like comparisons.The spokesperson added that the statistics were not presented according to a “nationally agreed standardised data collection process”, arguing that comparisons between states were not like for like comparisons.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare maintains that reducing the number of seclusion incidents remains a national priority.The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare maintains that reducing the number of seclusion incidents remains a national priority.
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