Mencap, the Challenging Behaviour Foundation (CBF) and the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) have expressed their concern at the latest NHS Digital figures, which report shocking levels of restrictive interventions being used against people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were 3,860 recorded instances of restrictive interventions, like physical, prone, mechanical and chemical restraint, being used in June 2020, of which 620 were against children.
The organisations say the numbers are likely just to be the “tip of the iceberg” as the data is only for 2 out of 14 private/independent providers and 30 out of 58 NHS providers.
Latest NHS Digital figures also show that 2,100 people with a learning disability and/or autism are currently locked away in inpatient units. The average total length of stay in inpatient units is also 5.6 years.
NHS Digital: Latest NHS Digital Figures
RRN: COVID-19 Restraint Increase in Inpatient Settings “…really, really worrying”