Use of Physical Restraints in Eldercare Centres and Nursing Homes

37 Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Health how widely are physical restraints being used in eldercare centres and nursing homes and whether these centres and homes are being audited for following the safeguards on the use of restraints in the Guidelines for Centre-Based Care.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Based on audits conducted by the Ministry of Health, physical restraints are not widely used in aged care facilities and generally only used as a last resort under specific circumstances, when other methods have been unsuccessful. These include situations where the senior poses an immediate risk to themselves or others, particularly those with high fall risk or those who have a tendency to pull out their life-supporting tubes. This is a professional matter which is reviewed on a regular basis by doctors and nurses in the aged care facilities. The use of restraints to ensure patient safety is also documented and discussed with caregivers.

The Ministry will continue to partner the providers to strengthen care processes to bring about safer and better care for seniors. To this end, the Agency for Integrated Care facilitates regular training programmes for aged care providers as part of ongoing quality improvement efforts, including alternatives to using restraints.