has raised concerns about aspects of the use of physical restraints at a mental health unit in Galway.
The report also said there was no record to indicate two residents had received a medical exam at all by a registered medical practitioner within three hours after the start of an episode of physical restraint. “In two episodes of physical restraint, the resident’s next of kin was not informed about the physical restraint and the reasons for not informing them was not documented in two cases,” it added.
The centre had four high-risk ratings for non-compliance with staffing, register of residents, the use of physical restraint and admission, transfer and discharge., inspector of Mental Health Services, said the commission’s Code of Practice on physical restraint states that it should be used by staff only when no other option will work.