Let's Talk about Restraints: Rights, Risk, and Responsibility

Released by the Royal College of Nursing (UK) in March 2008, this guidance is applicable to all settings where
nursing care is provided. It replaces the document Restraint revisited – rights, risks and responsibility; guidance for nursing staff.

While again it has been written for all nursing staff, distinctions are made, where appropriate, between the roles and responsibilities of registered nurses, nursing students, and health care assistants. It also sets out what support and guidance nursing staff should expect their employing organisation to provide.

In addition, it may be helpful to regulators and inspectors of health and social care.
This guidance is intended for nurses working with adults, with examples and case studies
particularly geared towards the care of older people.

Although this guidance is directed at nurses, except in emergencies, decisions about restraint
need to be made after discussion, wherever possible, with the older person, their relatives
and friends, as partners in care. It is important to involve the whole care team, including other
professionals and agencies that may be helping to support the older person.

http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/157762/003208.pdf