Only one in four Victorian public hospitals to report restraints on patients under new reforms

New safeguards will come into effect in some Victorian emergency departments from 1 April, including mandatory reporting of any ‘restrictive interventions’ on mentally ill patients. Photograph: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A requirement for Victorian emergency departments to report all use of restraints on mentally ill patients will apply to only one in four public hospitals, with the state’s mental health watchdog concerned about gaps in the new protections.

From 1 April, a series of safeguards will come into effect in certain emergency departments, including the mandatory reporting of any “restrictive interventions” on mentally ill patients – such as restraints, seclusion or forced medication – to the office of the chief psychiatrist.