Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Mental Health Act 1986 - SECT 19A

Treatment plans

19A. Treatment plans



(1) The authorised psychiatrist must prepare, review on a regular basis and
revise as required, a treatment plan for each patient.

(2) In preparing, reviewing and revising a treatment plan for a patient, the
authorised psychiatrist must take into account-

   (a)  the wishes of the patient, as far as they can be ascertained; and

   (b)  unless the patient objects, the wishes of any guardian, family member
        or primary carer who is involved in providing ongoing care or support
        to the patient; and

   (c)  whether the treatment to be carried out is only to promote and
        maintain the patient's health or well-being; and

   (d)  any beneficial alternative treatments available; and

   (e)  the nature and degree of any significant risks associated with the
        treatment or any alternative treatment; and

   (f)  any prescribed matters.

(3) The treatment plan for a patient who is detained in an approved mental
health service must contain an outline of the treatment the patient is to
receive.

(4) The treatment plan for a patient who is subject to a community treatment
order or restricted community treatment order must contain or specify-

   (a)  an outline of the treatment the patient is to receive; and

   (b)  the authorised psychiatrist or delegate of the authorised psychiatrist
        who is to monitor the patient's treatment (monitoring psychiatrist);
        and

   (c)  the registered medical practitioner who is to supervise the patient's
        treatment (supervising medical practitioner); and

   (d)  the patient's case manager; and

   (e)  the place at which the patient is to receive treatment; and

   (f)  the times at which the patient is required to attend to receive
        treatment; and

   (g)  the intervals at which the supervising medical practitioner must
        submit a written report concerning the patient's treatment to the
        monitoring psychiatrist.

(5) A treatment plan may contain anything else the authorised psychiatrist
thinks appropriate.





(6) The authorised psychiatrist must ensure that-

   (a)  the patient is given a copy of his or her treatment plan and any
        revisions to it; and

   (b)  the treatment plan is discussed with the patient by a registered
        medical practitioner, the patient's case manager or any member of a
        prescribed class of person.