Getting restraint “right” in aged care: GPs and providers must work together

Australia’s aged care system is undergoing a necessary transformation — one that places the rights and dignity of older people front and centre.

Published: 7 September 2025
  • national
  • 7 September 2025
  • Medical Journal of Australia

At the heart of this is the need to minimise restrictive practices, including the use of chemical restraint.

While regulatory obligations around chemical restraint fall squarely on the shoulders of aged care providers, the role of GPs, who prescribe the medications, is vital.

But too often, providers and GPs are speaking different languages, and the result is frustration, confusion, and ultimately risk to the older person.