Bradford hospitals will be reviewing how staff restrain patients after new national guidelines were announced.

The Government is investing £1.2 million in staff training as part of new controls to stop the deliberate use of face-down restraint which it says is now outdated.

The guidance was prompted after a Government investigation found restraint was being used to abuse patients at Winterbournview Hospital in South Gloucestershire.

Allison Bingham, deputy director of in-patient services at Bradford District Care Trust which runs Lynfield Mount psychiatric hospital, said: “We always comply with national guidelines and will be reviewing in detail the guidance published.

“We offer a broad range of mental health services, some in the community and some in hospital settings. At times the people we care for can be very unwell and present with challenging and complex behaviours.”

Karon Snape, assistant director of non-clinical support services and security management specialist at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which runs Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital, said face-down restraint was rarely used by its staff.

“Patient safety is of the utmost importance at Bradford Teaching Hospitals and we predominantly use a variety of non-physical intervention techniques and strategies to help staff when they are confronted by violent and aggressive behaviour,” she said.

“Face-down restraint is seen as a last resort and is rarely used here at the Foundation Trust. It is only ever used in extreme circumstances by appropriately trained staff to protect patients and staff until the police arrive.

“In light of the Government minister’s new guidance, we will be reviewing our training to staff.”

Announcing the ban, Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb, said: “No-one should ever come to harm in the health or care system. Although it is sometimes necessary to use restraint to stop someone hurting themselves or others, the safety of patients must always come first.”

The new guidance forms part of a two-year strategy to overhaul the outdated use of restrictive interventions – such as face-down restraint, seclusion and rapid sedation – in all health and care services.

The new guidance has been developed jointly by health and care professionals and people who use services, and led by the Royal College of Nursing.