Nursing homes will have to keep records showing they exhausted all other options before using restraints — either chemical or physical — to subdue an aged care patient, according to legislation now before federal Parliament.

The move is an attempt by the Federal Government to curtail the alleged misuse of psychotropic medications, including antipsychotics prescribed by GPs.

It is the first legislation stemming from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety which condemned the “widespread use of chemical restraints” in aged care, describing the practice as inhumane.

Under the reforms, approved nursing home providers would only be able to employ restrictive practices — defined as any intervention restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a patient — after alternative best practice strategies had been explored, applied and documented.