Mental Health Act 2016

The chief psychiatrist may give approval enabling an authorised doctor to authorise, under section 250, the use of mechanical restraint on a relevant patient if the chief psychiatrist is satisfied there is no other reasonably practicable way to protect the relevant patient or others from physical harm.

The approval must state—

the period, of not more than 7 days, during which an authorised doctor may authorise the use of mechanical restraint on the relevant patient; and

the approved device that must be used; and

any limitations to be included in the authorisation relating to the use of mechanical restraint on the relevant patient; and

the way in which the relevant patient must be observed continuously while restrained; and

any other conditions the chief psychiatrist considers appropriate.

The approval may include approval under section 267 of a reduction and elimination plan for the relevant patient.