The Presidium of the Supreme Medical Council, having analyzed the petition of Urszula Augustyn MP on the introduction of a complete ban on the use of direct coercion against people with mental disorders, including children, expresses a position emphasizing the need to maintain the current regulations, with the possibility of further clarification.
Total ban on direct coercion a serious threat to patients and medical staff
Published Jan. 28, 2025 11:35
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Direct coercion, the position statement reads, is used only in exceptional situations when a patient's behavior threatens his life, health or the safety of others. The complete elimination of this tool could cause serious risks to patients, medical personnel and the environment. In certain cases, it is the only means of preventing self-harm or aggressive behavior by people in acute mental crisis.
The Presidium of the NRL recognizes the need to improve supervision of the use of direct coercion, while stressing that abuses in this area should result in improved control mechanisms and staff education, rather than a total ban.
In its position, the Presidium of the NRL advocates maintaining the current regulations, enriched with additional control and training measures. At the same time, it strongly opposes the total ban advocated in the petition, which does not take into account the realities of work in mental health care and could lead to a decrease in the level of safety for both patients and staff.
The bureau stresses the need to strengthen control mechanisms, develop staff education and implement alternative therapeutic methods, while maintaining the possibility of using direct coercion in exceptional, justified situations.
Source: NIL
