TERMS OF REFERENCE
REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES UNIT
Introduction
1.
ACT Health and the Human Rights Commission consider that it is timely to review
operations of the Psychiatric Services Unit (PSU) to determine if there are any areas that
could be improved, prior to the construction of a new facility (due for completion in
2010) to ensure that operations and conditions of detention are compliant with human
rights principles and with treatment under the Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act
1994.
2.
ACT Health and the Human Rights Commission have agreed to conduct a joint review
of the PSU operations in accordance with these terms of reference.
Aim of review
3.
The aim of the review is to examine the current PSU facility and policies, practices and
procedures, with a view to ensuring that the new facility will provide best practice care
for clients. The review does not intend to inquire into decisions in relation to individuals
that are subject to Mental Health Tribunal review.
4.
The review team’s methodology will include, but not be limited to, the examination and
assessment of:

the policies and procedures applicable to PSU operations

the guidelines available to PSU staff

the training and supervision given to ACT Health service providers working in the
PSU; and

models of care, including those relating to restrictive interventions,
against national mental health standards and human rights principles outlined in the
ACT Human Rights Act 2004.
5.
The review team may also consider, in relation to the current operations of the PSU:

any other information that has arisen from complaints to ACT Health or the
Human Rights Commission about matters relating to the PSU and

any comments on the PSU made by courts, oversight bodies or persons with
information about the PSU operations.
6.
ACT Health will provide the review team with access to personnel, documents and
computer databases. The review team may interview relevant parties, as it considers
appropriate.
7.
The review should look at best practice for the PSU or equivalent facilities. To the
extent that this best practice is appropriate to ACT Health, the review should make
recommendations to bring current operations up to the best practice standards, if they
are not already compliant.
Follow up of recommendations
8.
ACT Health has responsibility for implementing any recommendations made by the
review. In accordance with current arrangements between ACT Health and the
Commission, ACT Health will report back to the Commission on progress with
implementation at six monthly intervals until such time as all recommendations have
been implemented.
Composition of the review team
9.
The review team will consist of the following members:

Diane Coxon, Clinical Development Nurse, Mental Health ACT, ACT Health

Matt Hingston, Senior Review Officer, Human Rights Commission
10.
Secretariat support and physical working space will be provided by ACT Health. The
Human Rights Commission will cover costs associated with the publication of the
report.
Time frame for review and report
11.
The review is to commence on 18 August 2008 and be completed by 19 December
2008.
12.
The review team will report to a Steering Committee consisting of:

Chief Executive, ACT Health

Director, Mental Health ACT

Health Services Commissioner, Human Rights Commission

Human Rights and Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights Commission
13.
Contact with the Steering Committee will take the form of regular meetings, discussion
with individual members, and the presentation of a draft report by 28 November 2008.
14.
The purpose of the Steering Committee is to provide guidance and direction to the
review team. If review team members differ as to the process or outcome of any aspect
of the review, they will refer the matter to the Steering Committee for discussion and
resolution.
15.
If the members of the Steering Committee do not agree on any issue, this difference and
the reasons for the differing views may be included in the final report.
Other issues
16.
The review team will refer any incidents or complaints requiring investigation to
appropriate agencies, in accordance with established processes, as soon as practical.
Any systemic issues that become apparent during the course of investigation of these
issues will be reported back to the review team and addressed in the review report.
17.
The final joint report will be made public in accordance with requirements for tabling in
the Legislative Assembly of reports provided to the Attorney-General under the Human
Rights Commission Act 2005 and the Human Rights Act 2004, with appropriate
deletions for reasons of security or the privacy of individuals.
Mark Cormack
Chief Executive
ACT Health
Mary Durkin
Health Services Commissioner
Human Rights Commission