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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain about pysch ward restraint

24 replies

Starting · 27/10/2022 20:06

My dd is in a psych unit an adult one as I’m sure I will be asked. She was a risk to herself and they wanted to move her off the ward. They did but pushed her head down as far as I’m aware pushing heads down is only for people who are a risk to others. They also then changed her into safety clothing by males

OP posts:
RobertaFirmino · 27/10/2022 20:19

If someone needs to be dressed in safety clothing it's usually a matter of urgency. Staff cannot say 'Well I'm a man so I can't do it, we'll have to leave this suicidal person as they are and hope they don't make a ligature from their tights'.

Skinnermarink · 27/10/2022 20:21

You’ve posted about a similar situation before, haven’t you.

MrsFionaCharming · 27/10/2022 20:24

Was there at least a female chaperone for the changing?

AnghofioPopeth · 27/10/2022 20:29

I disagree about the safety clothing being an emergency, therefore okay to be observed/carried out by males.

If she is that much of a risk, they can watch her or safe hold her. And can make sure that there is appropriate staffing for women to be available.

Men do not need to watch or be involved in the removal of women's clothes. It is undignified, traumatic and inappropriate.

In relation to her head, no one should be pushing a head down in restraint. The person in a restraint holding the head should be ensuring that the airway is maintained and the head/spine protected.

If you are restraining someone for the safety of themselves and others, you have a responsibility to maintain the safety of the person you are restraining.

Complain, and see what comes of the investigation. And whether the actions were in line with the organisational policy.

wtfisgoingonhere21 · 27/10/2022 20:32

Sorry op that your daughter is going through this.

No advice but a massive hand hold

AndyWarholsPiehole · 27/10/2022 20:32

You really need to engage in whatever therapy you're receiving. Posting these threads all the time isn't helping you.

namechangeforthispost12345 · 27/10/2022 20:44

I recognise this, have you posted it before?

whatever is going on for you and your daughter, I hope things improve soon x

PinkyFlamingo · 27/10/2022 20:46

Why do you want to complain?

EmeraldShamrock1 · 27/10/2022 20:50

After seeing the latest dispatches on MH hospital care I've no doubt they're heavy handed.

tickticksnooze · 27/10/2022 20:53

PinkyFlamingo · 27/10/2022 20:46

Why do you want to complain?

Because abuse should be reported. Being a patient in a mental health hospital doesn't mean staff can do whatever they want to you.

www.nursingtimes.net/news/mental-health/nurses-investigated-amid-abuse-at-manchester-mental-health-hospital-29-09-2022/

antelopevalley · 27/10/2022 20:54

Report, totally out of order.

Ivchangedmynameforthis · 27/10/2022 20:58

I don't work in MH however I am trained in restraint and would never hold someone's head down as it poses a huge risk to the airways. I only hold when there is a risk to the individual or others so I'm assuming that although the wrong hold has been used in my opinion it must have been deemed enough of an emergency to hold in the first place.

Toomuchtoolong · 27/10/2022 21:01

Highlight what @AnghofioPopeth has said- raise a concern regarding the restraint and the role of the “ head” person. The persons role is to care of the patient- care being the imp word here!, control the movement via Instructions to those on the arms and communication to the patient. NO FORCE Should be used by any person and least the person that is supporting the head The hospital should be using approved techniques only - did you daughter say she felt force on Her head / neck or was it the position you observed? The reason I ask is that if the two members of staff who are holding the arms are shorter than your daughter or struggling then there is a time when the person may be “ dipped” this is essence means that the person is walking in a right angel with their head supported by a third person. No pressure should be used at all and this is surprisingly not uncomfortable for the person despite it looking so. Just throwing this out at a reason why it could look like head was down. Regardless , if you or your daughter are unhappy with the techniques used or the treatment with male staff assisting with clothes( I see No reason for this unless in very very limited circumstances!!) then please do complain complain complain! I wish your daughter every well wish and hope for a quick improvement for her x

jewishmum · 27/10/2022 21:04

A head can be pushed back with her face facing up, to stop biting. But not facing down.

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 27/10/2022 21:16

AndyWarholsPiehole · 27/10/2022 20:32

You really need to engage in whatever therapy you're receiving. Posting these threads all the time isn't helping you.

Oh is this the OP who actually IS in the ward?
Good luck OP Flowers

elephantseal · 27/10/2022 21:21

I'm really sorry this is happening to your dd. I hope she gets better soon.

SkimmyWins · 27/10/2022 21:23

YABU

if the patient is at risk to themselves it’s not a case of wait for female staff members to be available to get into safety clothing.

PinkyFlamingo · 28/10/2022 00:27

Because abuse should be reported. Being a patient in a mental health hospital doesn't mean staff can do whatever they want to you

Noone here knows what happened, it can't be assumed its abuse.

whenimakeithome · 28/10/2022 02:03

yanbu

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 28/10/2022 02:09

Keeping her head down is recommended safe practice- to protect your daughters head .

All to easy for people to crack / bang their head during movement whilst being restrained.

daretodenim · 28/10/2022 02:18

I'd complain about male presence at the change of clothes. If I had men removing clothing from me to the point of being nude or nearly nude (for safety suit) I'd need to be sectioned as I'd be so distressed. Now undoubtedly there will be people (women) along soon to tell me I'm overreacting and they'd quite happily be stripped by men or with men in attendance, and that's fine that they'd have little problem with it. For other women, however, it would not only be re traumatising, but the re-enacting of a traumatic experience(s).

Men should not be present/viewing when women are stripped.

hay5689 · 28/10/2022 02:48

I used to work in a psych ward and holding her head is for her own safety. Usually when in restraint patients try and bang their heads against whatever is near, I've seen some terrible injuries from head butting walls, floors etc.

Regarding the male issue, it's unfortunate but it's probably due to staffing issues. The sector is severely understaffed (more so since covid and no jab, no job but that's another story). It's terrible pay and long 12 hour shifts, really not enough when you are putting yourself at risk of being attacked every day.

The whole sector needs more funding but sadly, like everything else, it doesn't happen.

I hope your daughter gets well and is out soon.

antelopevalley · 28/10/2022 13:16

PinkyFlamingo · 28/10/2022 00:27

Because abuse should be reported. Being a patient in a mental health hospital doesn't mean staff can do whatever they want to you

Noone here knows what happened, it can't be assumed its abuse.

And abusive staff often get away with the abuse of vulnerable people because everyone wants to make excuses.

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 28/10/2022 14:11

PinkyFlamingo · 28/10/2022 00:27

Because abuse should be reported. Being a patient in a mental health hospital doesn't mean staff can do whatever they want to you

Noone here knows what happened, it can't be assumed its abuse.

Exactly. So it should be reported and investigated in order to determine whether or not it was abuse.

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