What's new
New and updated information resources are available on the Chief Psychiatrist’s oversight of restrictive interventions in emergency departments and urgent care centres of designated mental health services.
This expansion of the Chief Psychiatrist’s role commences on 1 April 2024, and is part of implementing the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
It entails new compliance requirements for staff working in emergency departments and urgent care centres focussed on documenting and reporting restrictive interventions, respecting consumer rights, and ensuring restrictive interventions are only ever used as a last resort.
The new and updated resources will help staff understand these requirements and make changes to their workplace practices to meet their obligations under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act. The resources include:
- an updated ‘Chief Psychiatrist’s guideline for restrictive interventions’ and ‘Chief Psychiatrist’s reporting directive for restrictive interventions’ containing new information relevant to emergency departments and urgent care centres
- an 8-page factsheet on restrictive interventions in emergency departments and urgent care centres
- a summary document on restrictive interventions in emergency departments and urgent care centres.
- a flowchart on practice guidance and reporting restrictive interventions in emergency departments and urgent care centres
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 commenced on 1 September 2023.
It redefines the role of the Chief Psychiatrist, broadening their jurisdiction to additional settings and practices of clinical mental health.
This includes new powers and responsibilities to:
- oversee forensic mental health and wellbeing services
- regulate chemical restraint
These changes were recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. They build a governance architecture that places consumers at the centre and supports the workforce to deliver safe and high-quality treatment and care.
Compliance implications for service providers
There are important compliance implications arising from the changes.
From 1 September 2023, clinical mental health and wellbeing services will have new reporting obligations to the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist. They will also be required to adhere to an expanded set of rights-based principles emphasising supported decision-making, dignity and autonomy.
The documents listed below outline these changes. They also highlight the compliance expectations that remain unchanged in the areas of clinical practice overseen by the Chief Psychiatrist.
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Contact email: ocp@health.vic.gov.au.
Contact number: 1300 767 299
Reviewed 31 March 2024