Rules Governing the Use of Seclusion and Mechanical Means of Bodily Restraint Issued Pursuant to Section 69(2) of the Mental Health Act, 2001.

Section 69(2) of the Mental Health Act 2001 (the “2001 Act”) obliges the Mental Health Commission to make rules providing for the use of seclusion and mechanical means of bodily restraint on a patient. A ‘patient’ under section 69(4) of the 2001 Act refers to a person to whom an admission or renewal order relates, a child in respect of whom an order under Section 25 is in force, and a voluntary patient as defined by the 2001 Act. The 2001 Act provides for the use of seclusion and mechanical means of bodily restraint for the purposes of treatment or to prevent the patient from injuring himself or herself or others.