Chemical restraint of patients ‘a worry’

PEOPLE are being “chemically restrained” in psychiatric hospitals in order to control behaviour, despite there being no regulation around such treatment.

The issue was pointed out as a serious area of concern in a report by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Delegates from the committee visited Ireland last year and found a whole range of serious issues around violence and understaffing in Irish facilities.