NSW Ambulance has established a project group to monitor and review the use of restrictive practices within the service. To inform current practice and lived experience, we are conducting a focus group with family and carer representatives.
We are seeking input from families and carers on the use of restrictive practices in NSW Ambulance to ensure these perspectives inform the delivery of safe, high-quality care. Feedback gathered will help shape priority areas of work for the project over the next 12 months.
What will be discussed?
The focus group will explore the experiences of families and carers who have engaged with NSW Ambulance, when a family member or the person they support has been subject to one or more of the following restrictive practices by paramedics in the last 5 years:
1. Involuntary treatment under Section 20 of the NSW Mental Health Act
2. Chemical restraint
3. Mechanical restraint
4. Physical restraint
Discussion will focus on:
- What worked well
- Areas for improvement
- What excellent care looks like for families and carers supporting a person in distress.
We are seeking input from families and carers on the use of restrictive practices in NSW Ambulance to ensure these perspectives inform the delivery of safe, high-quality care. Feedback gathered will help shape priority areas of work for the project over the next 12 months.
What will be discussed?
The focus group will explore the experiences of families and carers who have engaged with NSW Ambulance, when a family member or the person they support has been subject to one or more of the following restrictive practices by paramedics in the last 5 years:
1. Involuntary treatment under Section 20 of the NSW Mental Health Act
2. Chemical restraint
3. Mechanical restraint
4. Physical restraint
Discussion will focus on:
- What worked well
- Areas for improvement
- What excellent care looks like for families and carers supporting a person in distress.
When and where:
Date: Monday 29th June
Time: 10:00 to 12:00
Venue: Microsoft Teams
Remuneration:
Participants will be remunerated $88 for their time ($44/hour).
Privacy & Confidentiality:
Your privacy is important to us. Your responses will be held anonymously in a confidential and secure manner as per MHCN's policy. All data collected will be stored securely on a password protected server.
For more details, please refer to MHCN's privacy policy.
MHCN Privacy Policy
Guidelines for Participation:
Please read consultation guidelines for safe and effective participation.
MHCN Consultation Guidelines for Participants
The survey closes on Sunday, 14th June 2026.
You will be notified by email if your application is successful or unsuccessful.
If you need more information, email the NSW Ambulance Clinical Programs Team Focus Group Co-ordinator: Paul.Wildin@health.nsw.gov.au or mhcnadmin@mentalhealthcarersnsw.org or call MHCN: 02 9332 0777
We greatly appreciate your interest in improving mental health services in NSW for families and carers.