Office of the Chief Psychiatrist

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About the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist

The Mental Health Act 2013 (Act) provides for the independent statutory positions of Chief Psychiatrist.
Together with the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and Official Visitors, the Chief Psychiatrist review and oversees the assessment, treatment and care of persons with mental illness.
The Chief Psychiatrist is an experienced psychiatrist appointed by the Governor.
View the Mental Health Act 2013 on the Tasmanian Legislation website or learn more on our website.

The Chief Psychiatrist works to give:

patients and staff members clear directions as to their rights and responsibilities
assessment, treatment and care are given in the least restrictive setting consistent with clinical need, legal and judicial constraints, public safety, and patient health, safety and welfare.

The Chief Psychiatrist is responsible for ensuring that the objects of the Act are met for:

involuntary patients and voluntary inpatients
forensic patients
the running of approved hospital and approved assessment centres.
the running of secure mental health units
involuntary patients who are admitted to a secure mental health unit under the Act
persons subject to supervision orders

The Chief Psychiatrist's powers and functions are set out in the Act and include:

issuing Standing Orders to direct controlling authorities, medical practitioners, nurses or other persons in the exercise of clinical or non-clinical procedures under the Act or other Acts
issuing Clinical Guidelines to help controlling authorities, medical practitioners, nurses or other persons in the exercise of their responsibilities in respect of any treatment, clinical procedure or other clinical matter under the Act or other Acts
approving forms
approving the form of rights statements required to be given to patients at various points in their assessment, treatment and care pathway

The Chief Psychiatrist has:

issued Standing Orders and Clinical Guidelines and approved a range of forms under the Act.
approved a number of Statements of Rights
approved a means of mechanical restraint
the ability to directly intervene with regard to the assessment, treatment and care of any patient.
This power may be exercised on their own motion, or at the request of the patient or any other person that the Chief Psychiatrist thinks has a proper interest in the patient's health, safety or welfare.
On receiving a request to directly intervene, the Chief Psychiatrist makes inquiries and must be satisfied that the intervention is necessary for the patient's health, safety or welfare.

The Chief Psychiatrist must issue an Annual Report, which the Minister is required to table in Parliament.