Mental health service users are still being treated like "second class citizens", according to a new report.
The Mental Health Commission has found just half of the facilities in which physical restraint is used are compliant with their code of practice.
Chief Executive of the Commission, John Farrelly, says using physical restraint does not improve outcomes for service users.
"The key issue for us was there was no physical examination after an episode of restraint. But also 58 centres or 89 per cent of approved centres are using physical restraint. That to me is an indicator, when you're using physical restraint it probably means you haven't put all the resources in to actually work with someone to build a therapeutic relationship. I want to be clear, physical restraint is not a therapeutic intervention."
The oversight body's annual report released today also shows 69 percent of in-patient centres are unclean or have poor structural conditions.
Mr Farrelly says too many mental health residents are being treated unfairly.
"The evidence in the report is clear. There's evidence of dirty premises that are not fit for purpose. 50 percent of od centres don't have care plans. There's a lack of compliance around physical restraint and seclusion. From my perspective, its clear mental health service users are being treated like second-class citizens and their rights are being overlooked."
The report also found that 54 children or young people were admitted to adult mental health units in 2019.
