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	Mental Health Commission indicates &lsquo;very worrying&rsquo; increase of 12% in seclusion</p>
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	The use of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), seclusion and physical restraint in the treatment of psychiatric patients have all increased for the first time in years, according to the Mental Health Commission.</p>
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	Data published for treatment facilities in 2013 show seclusion techniques rose for the first time in six years, by 12 per cent. The commission described the increase as &ldquo;very worrying&rdquo;.</p>
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	Physical restraint was up by 8 per cent on 2012 and ECT by 2 per cent. The latter is a treatment formally known as electroshock therapy which involves the administration of small currents to the brain in order to relieve symptoms of psychiatric illness.</p>
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	ECT is a divisive approach to patient care with medical professionals both in support and opposition of its use. Currently, it can be applied without the consent of a patient.</p>
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	&ldquo;Over the past number of years we have seen a steady reduction in the use of practices such as seclusion and restraint,&rdquo; said commission chairman John Saunders.</p>
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	&ldquo;However, the increase in their use of during 2013 is very worrying. I would urge those providing mental health services to study the rules and codes of practices in these areas to ensure they are delivering the most appropriate level of care.</p>
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	Emergency measures</p>
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	&ldquo;Seclusion and restraint are emergency measures and should only be used in exceptional circumstances and only when in the best interests of the patient.&rdquo;</p>
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	Of particular concern, Mr Saunders said, was a 70 per cent rise in the number of ECT programmes given to patients who were either unwilling to receive it or unable to consent.</p>
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	The commission is seeking a change in the law regarding the administration of ECT in these circumstances, a view the Department of Health is currently considering through legislative amendment.</p>
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	The statistics show that 257 individual patients received this treatment in 2013. Those who receive ECT range in age, the average being 60 but the eldest recorded at 93.</p>
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	The majority of recipients suffer from depressive disorders and are often resistant to medication, and in most cases, according to psychiatrists, improvements were noted.</p>
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	The Mental Health Commission is an independent body whose primary function is to foster high standards of care in the treatment of patients.</p>
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	<a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/use-of-electro-convulsive-therapy-in-psychiatric-care-rises-1.2426149">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/use-of-electro-convulsive-therapy-in-psychiatric-care-rises-1.2426149</a></p>
