preparation for placement in the mental health sector

Official Visitors

This is information has been mostly reproduced with kind permission from the Sydney Local Health District

 

Who are official visitors?

 

Official visitors are appointed by the Minister for Health (s228) to visit the facilities within each Area Health Service. They visit psychiatric hospitals and wards, both public and private, at least once a month, and community health care agencies at least once every 6 months.

 

 

What is their role?

 

• inspect the records and facilities of hospitals and health care agencies

 

• make inquiries into the care, treatment and control of voluntary and involuntary patients

 

• make inquiries into the care, treatment and control of those who are under Community Orders

 

• report to the Principal Official Visitor and the Minister on their impressions and findings.

 

 

 

References:

1. Understanding The Mental Health Act, (September 2011) © 2015 Sydney Local Health District. Available from: https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/az_topics.html (accessed on 23/11/2015)

2. Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Act Guide Book (Amended May 2003) © NSW Department of Health 2003.                                                                                                                                     Available from: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mhdao/publications/Publications/pub-act-2007-guide.pdf (accessed on 23/11/2015)