Restraint: cause for continuing concern?
| Date | 01 May 2001 |
| Published date | 01 May 2001 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668203200100013 |
| Pages | 42-47 |
| Author | Les Bright |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
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Organisationalprofile
key words
restraint
voluntary organisation
residential care
risks
abstract
This paper by the deputy chief
executive of Counsel and Care
describes the work this important
voluntary organisation has under-
taken to examine physical
intervention issues,particularly as
they affect older people in residen-
tial care. It explores the extent to
which residents of care homes may
be subject to various forms of
restraint and draws on discussions
with managers and staff.
42 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Limited The Journal of Adult Protection Volume 3 Issue 2 • May 2001
Introducing Counsel and Care
Counsel and Care is a national voluntary organisation provid-
ing information, advice and advocacy for older people and
their carers on a wide range of matters connected with their
welfare. The advice service is long-established and particularly
well-known for its quality and depth of knowledge and experi-
ence of residential care and nursing homes.
Alongside this direct work with individuals in need we
have also been carrying out a programme of research examin-
ing the quality of care in homes for older people.
Characteristically, the research consists of interviews with
residents and staff that then go on to form the core of a publi-
cation intended to influence policy and practice. Publications
are often used as vehicles for organising mainly local confer-
ences and training events, in partnership with other bodies
such as inspection units, homes associations or groups of
homes in the private, public or voluntary sectors.
The current context
The implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998 has had the
effect of reminding us that poor practice and the absence of
clear policies may still be more widespread than we might
imagine. A couple of weeks before the Act was to take effect I
received an e-mail from a care home manager: ‘Can you advise
me whether the Human Rights Act will outlaw the use of cot-
sides? If your organisation has produced any guidance on this
topic I would be grateful to receive a copy.’
At around the same time a colleague’s grandfather was
admitted to a nursing home after a period of hospital care. She
Restraint: cause for
continuing concern?
Les Bright
Deputy Chief Executive, Counsel and Care
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