Mental Health Act 2016

This section applies—

if the chief psychiatrist considers—

a matter has arisen in relation to 1 or more relevant forensic patients; and

there is a serious risk to the life, health or safety of a person or to public safety because of the matter; and

whether or not a direction has been given to the chief psychiatrist about the matter or risk under section 312.

The chief psychiatrist may do any of the following—

order the suspension of limited community treatment for a relevant forensic patient, or each member of a class of relevant forensic patients, for a stated period of not more than 7 days;

order the category of the forensic order for a relevant forensic patient, or each member of a class of relevant forensic patients, to be changed to inpatient for a stated period of not more than 7 days;

order an administrator of an authorised mental health service to report to the chief psychiatrist on the circumstances that led to the matter and serious risk;

review, or order an administrator of an authorised mental health service to review and report to the chief psychiatrist on, any treatment and care provided to a relevant forensic patient or class of relevant forensic patients to the extent it relates to the matter or serious risk or a similar matter or serious risk that might arise in the future;

review any policies or practice guidelines about treatment in the community;

take any other action necessary to prevent a similar matter or serious risk arising.

Before making an order under subsection (2)(a) or (b), the chief psychiatrist must consult with the administrator of each authorised mental health service likely to be affected by the order about the likely effect of the order on—

the operations of the authorised mental health service; and

the relevant forensic patients proposed to be subject to the order.