News & Resources

What Is the Protocol for Restraining a Patient in Hospital?

Most NHS trust protocols follow the same underlying sequence, even where the exact wording differs: try de-escalation and verbal intervention first; if that fails and there's a genuine risk of harm, use the minimum level of physical intervention needed, for the shortest possible time; have a second staff member present wherever possible; monitor the patient's physical condition throughout (positional restraint carries real risks); and record what happened, why, and for how long immediately afterwards.

The Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018 formalises parts of this for mental health units specifically - including a legal duty to report serious incidents involving force, not just log them internally.

The protocol on paper and the confidence to actually follow it when someone's agitated in front of you are two different things - that's what our Advanced Conflict Management: Clinical Holding course closes the gap on.

Share on

Written by Stand2

Google Reviews

At Stand2 we go above and beyond to understand and meet your expectations. Here are some of our recent reviews.

As the trusted leader in conflict management, personal safety, and physical intervention training, we aim to elevate standards across the UK and beyond by bringing evidence-based practice, operational credibility, and expert instruction to every sector we serve.

View All Reviews

Great session on conflict resolution. Session was informative and helpful for managing situations of conflict. Would highly recommend.

Jack Stone

Brilliant course! Instructors (Steve and Dave) friendly and knowledgeable, made everyone feel really comfortable. Wonderful overall experience and know have a better knowledge of conflict resolution techniques.