Matters requiring notifications | Notification procedures | More information

The Mental Health Act 1996 (MHA) requires any Medical Practitioner, including any Psychiatrist, to report certain matters to the Chief Psychiatrist.

Information about the statutory reporting to others beside the Chief Psychiatrist is provided on the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist's webpage at http://www.chiefpsychiatrist.health.wa.gov.au/reporting (External link).

Matters requiring notification to Chief Psychiatrist

The Chief Psychiatrist should be notified of:

1. Unexpected deaths

The unexpected death of a person in any public mental health service as a matter of first priority.

2. Serious incidents

Any serious incident and associated issue that will or is likely to reflect on the standards of mental health care in Western Australia. Notification will include advice as to the potential for media or public implications in any incident or associated issue. Serious incidents may include, but are not confined to the following examples:

• Serious assaults on or by staff, other patients or visitors.
• Alleged sexual assault on or by staff, other patients or visitors.
• Serious medication error that may require review.
• Absconding of any forensic patient.
• Absconding of any detained involuntary patient at serious risk of self-harm or harm to others.
• Serious misuse or mistake of a function performed under the Act.
• Involvement of any government or non-government organisation that is contrary to functions under the Act.
• Criminal activity reported at a mental health facility.
• Any incident that by its nature or persons involved may receive attention by the media or the wider community.

3. Application of a delegation

Section 9 of the Health Legislation Administration Act 1984 empowers the Chief Psychiatrist to delegate responsibility for some powers of authority under the Mental Health Act 1996. Key areas are:

• Medical treatment
• Transfer of responsibility.

When delegations are applied, a report of the circumstances and action must be made available to the Chief Psychiatrist.

Delegations are specific to particular positions. These are listed in operational circulars, which can be located at http://www.chiefpsychiatrist.health.wa.gov.au (External link) under Statutory Reporting to the Chief Psychiatrist.

Notification procedures

For information about the specific requirements and procedures for statutory notifications to the Chief Psychiatrist, go to the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist's webpage at http://www.chiefpsychiatrist.health.wa.gov.au/reporting (External link).

Or call the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist on (08) 9222 4462.

For more information regarding reporting of other mental health issues and events

Visit the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist's website at http://www.chiefpsychiatrist.health.wa.gov.au (External link).

Or contact the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist on (08) 9222 4462.

Information about the requirements and procedures for statutory mental health reporting to other than the Chief Psychiatrist can be found on the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist's webpage at http://www.chiefpsychiatrist.health.wa.gov.au/reporting (External link).