Seni's Law: Mental Health Units (Use of Force)

In a recent article https://bit.ly/2x50OgJ, Steve Reed MP (Lab/Co-op, Croydon North) wrote an article highlighted the case of Seni Lewis and the importance of the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Bill, particularly regarding tackling the racial bias in the use of restraint. Reed outlined the various aims of the Bill, including improving accountability by mandating every hospital to have a policy on reducing the use of force and a named senior manager accountable for its implementation, including training on de-escalation. He also said that standardising record-keeping on use of force in mental health units will allow for like for like comparisons between hospitals and will highlight where restraint is disproportionately used against certain groups, such as young black men, women, and disabled people.

Creating greater accountability and improving the quality of the training staff receive will help support the national initiative to eliminate or minimise restraint where ever possible. Should restraint be necessary, Seni's Law may help to ensure that mental health professionals are trained in ways that maximise safety and minimise harm for both patient's and staff.