Patients produce powerful film to improve the understanding of restraint
To strengthen patient experience and ensure every voice is heard, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) runs the Every Voice Group. This includes weekly Ward Voice Meetings on all inpatient wards and Mini Every Voice Meetings, which bring together clusters of services such as acute care. These forums provide an escalation process for patient voices to be heard from ward to board. As part of this work, patient partners recently produced a powerful video to help staff understand what restraint feels like from a patient's perspective.
The Every Voice Group - attended by executive directors, senior leaders, and patients - meets monthly to discuss concerns, explore solutions, and work collaboratively to enhance patient safety and improve services.
Bringing patients' voices to the forefront
For this project, patients wanted to ensure that staff understood what restraint feels like - not just what it looks like. Their aim was to highlight what may actually be happening to a person at the time they are restrained, rather than just seeing the behaviour of the person. Patients shared:
Restraint is frightening and disempowering especially when I am distressed. It should be a last resort.
When I am unwell, I may seem aggressive and threatening, but I just need help and compassion.
They also emphasised that the impact on other patients who witness restraint is often overlooked.
One patient in the film described their experience:
It was scary watching people get restrained when I first arrived. I didn't understand the reasons and I was terrified it was going to happen to me. Instead of letting it get to that point, staff should have made time to intervene before. It's not helpful to wait until crisis point.
The film was written, filmed, directed and edited by patients. All music featured was performed by patients on piano or guitar. Staff were only used to act restraint scenes.
You can watch the film here:
Andy, Lead Patient Partner at LPFT, said:
We intended the film to be a hard watch. When I came into hospital I was scared and paranoid and got restrained, but people didn't understand what I was thinking at the time and what was happening in my head. It was two different situations - the one I was in and the one staff were in - that collided. I hope it helps people understand.
As patient partners, our role is to listen and get the patients' voice heard and we try to do that in ways that people will take notice and hopefully understand from our experiences. It was also a really fun project to complete and we are very proud of the results.
Embedding patient voice into staff training
The film is now used in all full course PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) training at LPFT. Where possible, patient partners also attend to introduce the film support discussion. The video has been shared with other NHS Trusts and the Restraint Reduction Network for use in their training programmes.
Ben Raynor, Deputy Professional Lead for Reducing Restrictive Practice at LPFT said:
Restraint is undeniably a challenging topic, often provoking strong emotions and diverse opinions. However, open and honest conversations about restraint are essential for driving meaningful change. Our team is wholeheartedly committed to eliminating any inappropriate use of restraint, and while sharing our own experiences with staff can be valuable, nothing resonates more deeply than hearing directly from those who have lived through it.
This first-hand perspective allows staff to truly grasp the impact, putting a human face to the issue, and encouraging genuine reflection. Ultimately, our hope is that these powerful stories will inspire staff to reconsider their approach and foster positive, lasting improvements in practice.
For further information about this project, please contact Lou Bannister, LPFT Every Voice Guardian: louise.bannister7@nhs.net