with caution: we found a number of discrepancies in the recording of the type of restraint used, and some of the data did not align with data examined during visits. We are also unable to tell how long people could spend in restraint as the end time was not noted in the data provided to us, but looking at some of the case notes describing the incident it is clear that some people remained in restraint for a long time, sometimes for several hours and even days.27 Restraint bed The prevalence of seclusion and restraint in health and disability settings In its Annual Report for 2015, the Office of the Director of Mental Health reported that since the introduction of seclusion reduction policies in 2009, the total number of people secluded in adult inpatient services nationally had decreased by 30 per cent, and the total number of seclusion hours had decreased by 58 per cent. This is a substantial reduction, and the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards (DHBs) should be applauded for their continuing commitment to the reduction and eventual elimination of seclusion. But despite the Ministry’s commitment and an overall reduction over the last few years, the Office of the Director of Mental Health’s data revealed that in 2015 the rate of seclusion in adult mental health services remained high:28 “Between 1 January and 31 December 2015, New Zealand adult mental health services (excluding forensic and other regional rehabilitation services) accommodated 7,545 people for a total of 198,525 bed nights. 27 For detailed examples of the use of restraints in Corrections and some case studies see the Chief Ombudsman OPCAT finding report, A Question of Restraint, 1 March 2017, online at: http://www.ombudsman.parliament. nz/system/paperclip/document_files/document_files/1885/original/a_question_of_restraint_march_2017. pdf?1488315220 ( Accessed 15 March 2017). 28 Some limited comparative data on the use of seclusion internationally is available in: Steinert, T., Lepping, P., Bernhardsgrütter, R. et al. Incidence of seclusion and restraint in psychiatric hospitals: a literature review and survey of international trends. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol (2010) 45: 889. Online at: http://www.imhcn.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/03/Lepping-2010-seclusion-3.pdf (Accessed 15 March 2017). 27