"Physical restraint"

My child was at PCH ­­and was restrained by seemingly three security guards during a melt down. I went to the ward shortly after and spoke to a senior nurse, who told me there had been an episode, and that my child had been taken to a Pod for some 1:1 time and calmed down as they were bored, and then returned to the main ward. No mention of the physical restraint or security being called at all. My partner went to a meeting the following day with the psychologist and psychiatrist who were caring for our child. They mentioned the episode, but also no mention of physical restraint or security guards.

Later my child was speaking with my partner and they talked about the episode. My child was the one who told us that they were restrained by security guards. I believe this was a full 24 hours after the 'episode' and 21 hours after I happened to see the senior nurse when I went to visit my child.

What is the responsibility of the hospital to inform parents about physical restraint of a child? Is there a legal obligation to inform a parent? I think there is certainly a moral and ethical obligation to inform a parent of a minor about such an intrusive and potentially dangerous and traumatic event, and I feel it should be done within a few hours of it occurring. In my opinion, a parent should be informed by phone and in writing, and there should be a report on the physical and mental after effects (if any) on the child.

As I understand it, there is no doubt that restraint is potentially dangerous and common (see this study). In the Disability sector and aged care sector, it seems there are strict rules about the use of restraint, the need to report this and for all restraints to be carried out safely. The aim, I believe, is to create a transparent system where human rights abuses are prevented and minimised as much as possible. Where are the apparent checks and balances in the health sector, especially in regards to physical restraint of minors such as my child?

I propose that there should be rules about reporting of restraint of a child to a parent that are adhered to by all health professionals in mental health facilities in order to allow critical review of practices to enhance the safety of vulnerable minors who have mental health concerns. If there are rules already, I believe these have not been followed at PCH.