Physical interventions, including restraint, are a necessary but controversial component of mental health care. This paper outlines developments in one trust to prioritise this area and take an integrated, whole trust approach. The paper discusses ‘physical interventions’, describes the organisational approach to support the development and outlines the training package developed to promote safe and effective practice. In addition the approach is reviewed using team members' views within the National Patient Safety Agency's seven steps to patient safety. Data on incidences of interventions prior to and following the approach are presented and conclusions and recommendations to further guide practice are proposed.
