Nurses' Perspectives on the Proposed Seclusion Elimination in Mental Health Wards

Managing consumers with challenging behaviours by way of secluding them has been practiced for centuries. Many countries have attempted to eliminate seclusion but with very limited success. The Victorian government in Australia has embarked on a plan to stop seclusion within the coming 10 years. A qualitative research design using a purposive cluster sampling technique was utilised to understand nurses' perceptions on attempts to eliminate seclusions in acute wards. Semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis were used to reveal participants' perceptions. Analysis revealed six themes: personal views, staff skills/resources, safety concerns, stakeholders' influence, doubt about elimination and participants' recommendations. Participants were doubtful of seclusion elimination success if there were no major improvements in nurse security, infrastructure, funding and staffing. Further research is required to establish and develop effective alternatives to seclusion.