The mental health and addiction sector is aware that the goal we have set of eliminating seclusion is ambitious. Internationally there is evidence that seclusion causes harm to those who receive it, and it is recognised as contravening basic human rights. Yet we know the practice still continues in many of our district health board in-patient units today.
The Commission recently announced that our mental health and addiction quality improvement team will work alongside Te Pou, the national KPI programme and DHB mental health and addiction services to achieve the aspirational goal of Zero seclusion: towards eliminating seclusion by 2020.
Shaun McNeil, the Commission's national consumer engagement advisor mental health and addictions, shares his thoughts on challenges for the sector.
