18th December 2019
Given the public interest around the seclusion room at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, the Trust wishes to share these pictures of the seclusion room and de-escalation suite.
In line with Trust policy, and based on national guidance, seclusion may be used as an emergency management procedure to contain severely challenging behaviour which is likely to cause harm to the patient themselves or to others. Its appropriate use is sometimes practised in certain contexts of Learning Disability Inpatient Services. Its usage is constantly reviewed and it should only be used for the shortest time possible with patients being kept under constant review.
A patient is assessed by a nurse in charge and monitored at all times whilst in seclusion. The seclusion room is not padded and there is an intercom. Prior to the completion of work in the area earlier this year there had been an en-suite facility adjacent to the seclusion room. There is now direct access to this en-suite from the seclusion room itself.
In keeping with similar seclusion suites across the UK, the Trust undertook a scheme of works to create a de-escalation area in 2017. Work commenced in March 2018 and was completed in May 2018. The seclusion room itself was re-painted in May 2018 and otherwise remains the same. The window within the seclusion room contains integrated blinds for the privacy and dignity of patients while they are in this room.
The total de-escalation area which includes the de-escalation suite, en-suite bathroom and the seclusion room is 59 square metres. There is access from the de-escalation suite to a garden area. The de-escalation suite is used as a first response in managing challenging behaviour.