Expression of Interest – Focus Group for the Review of Restrictive Practices in NSW Ambulance

NSW Ambulance has established a project group to monitor and review the use of restrictive practices within the service. To inform current practice and lived experience, we are conducting focus groups with government and non-government stakeholders, including family and carer representatives.

We are seeking input from families and carers on the use of restrictive practices in NSW Ambulance to ensure these perspectives inform the delivery of safe, high-quality care. Feedback gathered will help shape priority areas of work for the project over the next 12 months.

The focus group will explore the experiences of families and carers who have engaged with NSW Ambulance when a family member or the person they support has been subject to one or more of the following restrictive practices by paramedics in the last 5 years:

• Involuntary treatment under Section 20 of the NSW Mental Health Act
• Chemical restraint
• Mechanical restraint
• Physical restraint

Discussion will focus on what worked well, areas for improvement, and what excellent care looks like for families and carers supporting a person in distress. Participants will be current or recent carers or family members of individuals who have experienced these practices during contact with NSW Ambulance within the past five years. NSW Ambulance is also working with BEING to support meaningful engagement with mental health consumers throughout the review process.

Focus Group Details:
Date: Monday 29 June 2026
Time: 10:00am to 12:00 midday
Venue: Online via Microsoft Teams

Payment:
Participants will be paid a participation fee at the standard rate of $44 per hour as per MHCN’s Paid Participation Policy 2026. Participants will be paid for 2 hours – in total $88.

Are you interested?
To express your interest in participating, click here to fill out a short questionnaire by COB Sunday 14 June: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NSWAmbulanceFocusGroup

Questions or Queries:
If you need more information, please contact:
Paul Wildin: paul.wildin@health.nsw.gov.au, 0492 230 894 or MHCN: mhcnadmin@mentalhealthcarersnsw.org, 02 9332 0777