Policies and Standards

Content Warning: Please be advised that some of the safety and quality topics covered in the Policies, Standards and Reports section may be distressing to read about. Please take care when reading this material, and if needed speak with a support person you know or call a telephone support line. Details of support services can be read on this link

The Chief Psychiatrist under Section 90 of the Mental Health Act 2009 may issues standards that are to be observed in the care or treatment of patients. Any standards issued will be binding on any hospital that is an incorporated hospital under the Health Care Act 2008 or is binding as a condition of the licence in force in respect of any private hospital premises under Part 10 of the Health Care Act 2008. The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist undertakes a number of policy initiatives outside of those required by the Mental Health Act 2009

The Chief Psychiatrist has released the following standards:

• Chief Psychiatrist Standard - Continuity of Mental Health Care for People Exiting Prison
• Chief Psychiatrist Standard - Ligature Risk Management
• Chief Psychiatrist Standard - Restraint and Seclusion
• Chief Psychiatrist Standard - Monitoring of Compliance with Community Treatment Orders
• Chief Psychiatrist Standard - Notification of Deaths of People with a Mental Health Condition into SLS
• Chief Psychiatrist Standard - Sexual Safety in Mental Health Services
• Chief Psychiatrist Standards and Guidelines - Out for Consultation