News
Release of the Chief Psychiatrist’s Guidelines for the use of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Western Australia 2024
Download page as PDFI am pleased to announce the release of the Chief Psychiatrist’s Guidelines for the use of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Western Australia 2024. These guidelines update and replace the previous edition published in 2006, and provide a framework for best practice in Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) provision in WA.
ECT remains an important evidence-based therapy option in contemporary psychiatric practice.
The ECT Guidelines have been produced following extensive consultation with subject matter, clinician, lived experience and legal experts, and stakeholders such as Approved ECT services, the Department of Health, Consumers of Mental Health of Western Australia, the Mental Health Tribunal and Mental Health Advocacy Service. My thanks to all who contributed to the consultation.
The guidelines sit alongside the Chief Psychiatrist’s Standards for the Administration of Electroconvulsive Therapy in WA 2015, which are currently under review. We anticipate that the updated standards will be released by the end of 2024.
Any queries should be directed to the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist at reception@ocp.wa.gov.au.
Dr Nathan Gibson
Chief Psychiatrist of Western Australia