Operations Bulletin – Friday 1st September

The new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (the Act) comes into effect today, 1 September 2023, replacing the Mental Health Act 2014.

The Act reflects the recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, aimed at:

• Promoting good mental health and wellbeing;
• Resetting the legislative foundations underpinning the mental health and wellbeing system; and
• Supporting the delivery of services that are responsive to the needs and preferences of Victorians.

In line with these objectives, the Act incorporates rights-based principles that will guide the provision of mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and support for consumers throughout Western Health. This includes ALL patients / consumers across Western Health (WH), whose treatment falls under the remit of the Act.

As WH is now a Designated Mental Health Service, it is a legislated requirement for staff to familiarise themselves with these principles and integrate them into their practice to ensure the highest quality of care for our consumers in accordance with legislative requirements.

All programs across Western Health have had the opportunity to engage in information sessions relating to the new Act and this will continue to ensure opportunities for clarification and familiarisation.

Four learning modules have been developed by the Department of Health (DH) and are now available on WeLearn Course: Course: Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (wh.org.au). The fifth (final) module will be made available by DH in coming weeks.

Of note are the legal obligations when using restrictive interventions. The following resources will assist to clarify these:

• Restrictive interventions – Chief Psychiatrist’s interim guideline | health.vic.gov.au
• Restrictive interventions – Chief Psychiatrist’s reporting directive | health.vic.gov.au

For any inquiries, clarification, or assistance related to the Act, I encourage Western Health staff who do not regularly work in mental health and wellbeing service provision to reach out via the following:

• Consultation Liaison Team: Pager #492 at Sunshine Hospital and #600 at Footscray Hospital, 8am- 5pm 7 days
• MHWA Embedded Practitioner (Angela Eeles): angela.eeles2@wh.org.au business hours – Monday to Thursday
• Emergency Mental Health team (Footscray Hospital ED and Sunshine Hospital ED): after hours for ED staff

For more information regarding the Act, visit Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 | health.vic.gov.au

Western Health has also compiled a list of important links, documents, and video recordings about the Mental Health Act on Westerly:  Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022_Western Health

Regards,