Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a therapeutic medical procedure used to treat severe psychiatric disorders.

The provision of ECT is highly regulated in Western Australia. Any mental health service providing ECT must be approved by the Chief Psychiatrist. In order to be approved, a service must meet the requirements of the standards and guidelines described below, as well as the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, alongside relevant organisational policy frameworks.

The Mental Health Act 2014 requires the Chief Psychiatrist to provide yearly statistics on the administration of ECT. These statistics are contained in each of the Chief Psychiatrist’s annual reports.

Electroconvulsive Therapy Standards and Guidelines

The Chief Psychiatrist maintains standards and guidelines on the provision of ECT in order to uphold patient safety and ensure legislative compliance. The standards are statutory requirements that every service administering ECT must follow by law; the guidelines outline best practice recommendations to support clinicians to maximise therapeutic outcomes when providing ECT.

• Download the Chief Psychiatrist’s Standards for the Administration of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in WA
• Download the Chief Psychiatrist’s Guidelines for the Administration of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in WA

Register of Approved Electroconvulsive Therapy Sites

ECT may only be administered at hospitals approved by the Chief Psychiatrist.

• Download the Register of Approved ECT Sites