The use of seclusion in mental health services is provided for in section 71 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 (the Act). The Ministry produces clinical guidelines to assist mental health services interpret the provisions of the Act.
The purpose of the seclusion guidelines is to identify best practice methods for using seclusion in mental health acute inpatient units, in alignment with the specifications set out in the New Zealand Health and Disability Services Standards.