Towards A Restraint Free Environment In Nursing Homes - A Public Consultation

The Minister for Older People and Health Promotion, Aine Brady TD will tomorrow (Wednesday 31 March, 2010) launch a public consultation process to assist with the development of a policy to promote a culture of non-restraint in Nursing Homes.


The Minister noted that "Towards a Restraint Free Environment in Nursing Homes will guide the future development of regulations and standards for nursing homes and we want to have as many views as possible to inform the policy".


The Minister also announced that a Working Group has been established with the following terms of reference;


To examine the issue of restraint and to develop an overarching policy to promote a restraint free environment and where necessary, regulate the use of restraint in designated centres for older people, taking account of:


- Human Rights,

- Legal principles,

- Best practice and professional guidelines, and

- Submissions from residents, service providers, advocacy groups and the public.


The Minister wishes to consult as widely as possible and in that regard would like to hear from any individual, group or other body that will contribute to and inform the Working Group in their task. This includes agencies and other bodies in the public, private, voluntary or community sectors. The Minister would also welcome submissions from residents in nursing homes together with national groups or organisations that reflect the views of their memberships. Submissions should be forwarded to:


Towards a Restraint Free Environment

Services for Older People

Department of Health and Children

Hawkins House

Dublin 2


or by e-mail to trfe_submissionshealth.irlgov.ie


Closing date for receipt of submissions - Friday 30th April, 2010


A list of submissions received will be published in due course. Submissions will be subject to Freedom of Information Acts, 1997 and 2003.

Source
Department of Health and Children, Ireland