Chief Psychiatrist's annual report 2008-09 - Department of Health

24 Chief Psychiatrist’s annual report 2008–09
Legislation and policy
A small number of complaints were about aspects of the Mental Health Act or other legislation
or departmental policy, such as the catchment area policy, and the defined target populations
for services.
Incidents
Four complaints were classified as ‘incidents’ occurring in a mental health service, including two
cases of alleged assault.
Other
The ‘Other’ category included a wide array of issues including such matters as court and judicial
processes, accommodation issues, government policies, other government-funded services and
non-specific complaints.
3.3 Enquiries
A large number of calls were from people seeking advice on how to access a service; often simply
how to contact a public mental health service. Others wanted to discuss potential avenues of
treatment and care for an ill relative or employee and were uncertain whether to intervene or how to
proceed. Some sought information on various disorders and treatments. Advice provided by clinical
advisers or the Chief Psychiatrist often helps to alleviate concerns or clarify possible actions so that
the person feels more empowered to assist the individual about whom they may be concerned. The
establishment of a 24-hour mental health telephone advice line, which will be operational from late
2009, may divert some of these calls.
3.3.1 Clinical advice
Mental health service clinicians contacted the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist to seek information
and advice on a wide range of issues, the largest single area being the application of the Mental
Health Act. These enquiries often relate to the process of recommendation for involuntary
treatment and the negotiation between services regarding who will supervise a community
treatment order when a patient moves between areas. Other common areas were advice about
the management of consumers with complex presentations, aspects of treatment, accessing
appropriate services, chief psychiatrist guidelines and departmental and divisional policies.