02.07.2025

Medirest joins Restraint Reduction Network to champion safer, compassionate patient care

Medirest, the healthcare sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has officially joined the Restraint Reduction Network (RRN), underscoring its commitment to supporting patients with dignity and compassion while promoting a safer hospital environment.

RRN is a registered charity with an ambitious vision to eliminate the unnecessary use of restrictive practices in health, social care and education. Formed in 2014, the network promotes services being safe, dignified and respects people’s autonomy and wellbeing.

As a network of committed organisations and individuals, the RRN is working towards this mission by sharing learnings, developing quality standards and practical tools to support restraint reduction, and by working across sectors to promote culture change.

This significant step reflects Medirest’s broader vision of transforming the traditional role of healthcare security. Medirest’s security professionals play an integral part in the patient care journey — particularly when supporting vulnerable individuals facing challenges such as neurodiversity, dementia, mental health crises, and alcohol or substance withdrawal.

By becoming a member, Medirest gains access to valuable tools and accredited training programmes, all of which empower security teams and share best practice and knowledge.

The decision to join the RRN is rooted in Medirest’s mission to improve the quality of life for patients during their hospital stay. The aim for its security teams is to facilitate them with the skills and confidence to deescalate situations – the priority is to intervene early and appropriately, minimising the use of physical restraint wherever possible. This proactive approach supports NHS safeguarding principles.

As part of the RRN accreditation, Medirest has met key milestones including:

• Introducing de-escalation and trauma-informed care training for all security personnel.
• Embedding Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) practices across teams.
• Developing joint protocols with clinical staff to ensure consistent and appropriate responses to behaviour that challenges.
• Establishing robust reporting and learning mechanisms to reduce incidents over time.
• Actively involving patients and service users in feedback and service design.
• Ensuring leadership accountability for restraint reduction outcomes.

Russell Blake, MD – Healthcare, Compass Group UK & Ireland: “Healthcare environments are increasingly complex and Medirest understands the evolving needs of both patients and NHS trusts. Our commitment to developing our security services to enhance our person centred, empathetic model ensures that our teams are not only prepared to protect, but also to support and engage with compassion.”

Matt Johnson, Head of Healthcare Security – Compass Group UK & Ireland commented: “As the needs of patients evolve, so must the support systems around them. We’re proud to be part of the Restraint Reduction Network and to champion a more compassionate, informed, and responsible approach to healthcare security. This is a vital investment in our people and in the quality of care we provide.”