The Chief Psychiatrist’s Standard for Authorisation of Hospitals under the Mental Health Act 2014
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Publication summary
The Chief Psychiatrist’s Standard for the Authorisation of Hospitals under the Mental Health Act 2014 (the Standard) replaces the October 2019 version and reflects contemporary evidence on the role of the built environment in supporting psychological wellbeing, alongside lessons learned from recent projects and an extensive consultation process.
The Standard sets the minimum requirements for mental health services – both new builds and refurbishments – seeking authorisation under section 524 of the Mental Health Act 2014. It applies to both public and private services and is designed to promote safe, recovery-oriented and trauma-informed environments across Western Australia.
The Standard is supported by two accompanying documents:
- The Chief Psychiatrist’s Advisory: Mental Health Service Planning and Authorisation Process, which outlines the authorisation pathway, supports early and ongoing engagement with the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist (OCP), and clarifies roles and responsibilities across key agencies.
- The Chief Psychiatrist’s Authorisation Master Checklist, which supports service planning and is submitted as part of the final authorisation request, enabling services to clearly demonstrate how requirements have been met while reducing the need for extensive supporting documentation.
Transitional arrangements are detailed in Schedule One of the Standard, outlining how the new requirements apply to existing authorised services and capital infrastructure projects already underway.
A suite of FAQs is also provided to support stakeholders in understanding the impacts of the new Standard, available supports, and next steps: