{"id":234125,"date":"2025-10-23T10:07:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T10:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/234125\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T10:07:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T10:07:08","slug":"mental-health-ward-ordered-to-make-improvements-after-restraint-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/234125\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental health ward ordered to make improvements after restraint concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"

The use of physical restraint on children at Edinburgh\u2019s in-patient mental health unit needs improvement, a report has said.<\/p>\n

An unannounced inspection of the Melville Unit at the city\u2019s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People was carried out in May.<\/p>\n

The report said the use of nasogastric tube feeding under restraint \u201crequires further inquiry and improvement by the service\u201d.<\/p>\n

The 12-bed unit cares for young people aged between 12 and 17 with a number of mental health conditions.<\/p>\n

The inspection was carried out by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland together with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS).<\/p>\n

It comes after minister Maree Todd pledged to step up inspections of Scotland\u2019s mental health units in response to cruelty allegations at Skye House in Glasgow.<\/p>\n

The chief executives of the Mental Welfare Commission and HIS issued a joint statement on the Melville Unit.<\/p>\n

It said: \u201cInpatient care provides intensive support for children and young people experiencing acute mental health crises and it is crucial such care meets both legal requirements and standards for the safe delivery of care.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis report has identified areas for improvement as well as good practice.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important (that) NHS Lothian addresses the recommendations and requirements with appropriate urgency.\u201d<\/p>\n

The report accepted that restraint is needed in some circumstances but noted physical health checks were not carried out afterwards, as well as poor record-keeping.<\/p>\n

Nicola Killean, Children and Young People\u2019s Commissioner for Scotland, said: \u201cI\u2019m deeply concerned about the findings from the Mental Welfare Commission into the care of children at Melville Unit, which highlight potential rights breaches including the safe and lawful use of restraint.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is further worrying evidence about the use of restraint on children living in some of the most vulnerable situations.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlongside partners I have been raising my concerns with the Scottish Government about the use of restraint on children in mental health provision for over two years.\u201d<\/p>\n

NHS Lothian said it had a robust action plan in place to address the issues in the report.<\/p>\n

Deputy chief executive Jim Crombie said: \u201cWe want to reassure young people and families that we are committed to delivering safe, high-quality and effective care and we take the findings of the report extremely seriously.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe safety and care of young people and staff is always our top priority. Restraint is only ever used in the unit as a last resort to prevent harm for young people or to staff or other patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe introduced an initiative to reduce the use of restraint further, which was observed by HIS during the inspection, and has shown positive results.<\/p>\n

\u201cSystems are also in place to improve the recording, monitoring and auditing of restraints.\u201d<\/p>\n

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