Since 2017, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has published national data about the use of restrictive practices in specialised public mental health services. Such practices include seclusion (confinement of a patient at any time of the day or night alone in a room or area from which free exit is prevented) and restraint (including physical restraint, e.g. the use of hands on immobilisation techniques by staff, and mechanical restraint, e.g. using devices such as belts or straps). In Australia, rates of seclusion have fallen over the last decade, with current average rates of 7.4 per 1000 bed days (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018).. To read the full article, log in using your MPFT NHS OpenAthens details. SSOTP (legacy account) - You can request a copy of this article by replying to this email. Please ensure you are clear which article you are requesting.