Least restrictive practice its role in patient independence & recovery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Least restrictive practices: its role in patient's independence and recovery
IRAS ID
221265
Contact name
Emma Tarpey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
17/01/698,
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 18 days
Research summary
Some individuals with mental health issues may need to be detained and cared for within a forensic, secure mental health unit under the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA). This is because at that time they cannot be safely managed within a community setting, and may be a risk to themselves and others.There are low, medium and high secure services and each service has a range of security procedures, such as locked doors and restrictions on what patients can and can't do.
It is really important that these restrictions are kept to a minimum. This concept is called least restrictive practices. Indeed, the MHA states that least restrictive practices should be used in order to promote recovery and maximise patient independence.
However, there is currently no research available which explores how least restrictive practices maximise patient’s recovery and independence. A lack of understanding and negative experience may interfere with the patient’s sense of independence and recovery. By considering the service users account this research may help to further inform the existing procedures and practices within such complex environments.
12 participants will be recruited within an all male forensic medium secure unit. Participants will represent the following units: personality disorder, learning disability, acute admissions, rehabilitation and a low secure ward.
Face to face semi-structured interviews will be conducted to maximise the potential to capture service user’s personal perspectives. It is expected that the average length of the interviews will be 40 minutes to an hour, including time for debriefing. The questions will be open-ended with follow-up discussion led by the participant rather than the researcher (Laverty, 2003).
The following research is conducted as part of a MSc Forensic Psychology dissertation. The research will be finished and submitted on 17th October 2017.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0136
Date of REC Opinion
18 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion