The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has raised concerns about the increasing use of restrictive interventions in mental health services, warning that reducing restrictive practice must remain a priority across the sector.
In its Monitoring the Mental Health Act 2024/25 report, the CQC found that the average number of reported restrictive interventions increased compared with the previous year. The regulator says ongoing pressures across mental health services - including workforce shortages, high bed occupancy and increasing patient complexity - are contributing to the rise.
The report highlights several key concerns:
- Restrictive interventions have increased on average between 2023/24 and 2024/25.
- Staffing shortages are leading to unnecessary restrictions on patients' access to bedrooms, kitchens, gardens and communal areas.
- Long-term segregation remains a concern, with personalised care and reasonable adjustments not always reflected in care planning.
- People are spending longer in restrictive settings, including inappropriate out-of-area placements and prolonged stays in emergency departments while awaiting mental health beds.
The CQC also identified examples of good practice, with some services using technology and innovative approaches to improve patient independence while maintaining safety.
The regulator emphasises that restrictive practice is not limited to physical restraint. Restrictions on movement, access to facilities and delays in accessing appropriate care can all impact patients' rights, recovery and experience of treatment.
The report concludes that reducing restrictive interventions requires a system-wide commitment to delivering safe, person-centred care that respects patients' human rights and promotes the least restrictive approach wherever possible.
Source: CQC
Join the Restrictive Interventions Conference:
If you are looking to improve practice and reduce the use of restrictive interventions, join the Reducing and Improving the Use of Restrictive Interventions & Practice virtual conference in September 2026.
The conference will explore:
- Practical approaches to reducing restrictive interventions.
- Implementing CQC recommendations and current best practice.
- De-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care.
- Legal updates and improving patient outcomes.
Find out more and book your place: www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/virtual-online-courses/restrictive-interventions-practice
