NAPICU Executive Committee has received a number of enquiries regarding the definition and regulation of seclusion following the revision of the Mental Health Act Code of Practice (2015).

A number of questions have been raised in relation to:

• Definition of seclusion not involving a patient locked alone in a room.
• The point at which seclusion monitoring would begin in the absence of a seclusion room with a locked door.
• An understanding of long-term segregation and its interface with seclusion monitoring.

The NAPICU position statement has been approved by the NAPICU Executive Committee and has also drawn upon advice from a number of senior clinicians around the UK. To download a copy of this document please click here

There has also been consultation with the Department of Health and CQC.

A guidance video is also available to view

NAPICU hope that the position statement will be useful to members and please send any feedback to the NAPICU Administration office.

NAPICU would like to recognise the consultation group involved in the production of this document, Mr Roland Dix, Dr Stephen Dye, Mr Andy Johnston and Mr Bernard Fox. Also the practice developed at the Wotton Lawn Hospital Gloucestershire and the contribution of Mr James Wright.