Queensland Consolidated Acts

MENTAL HEALTH ACT 2016 - SECT 259

259 Extension of period of seclusion

(1) This section applies if the total period for which a relevant patient has been or may be kept in seclusion in an authorised mental health service under an authorisation made under section 258 is more than 9 hours in a 24-hour period.

(2) An authorised doctor for the authorised mental health service may extend the period during which the relevant patient may be kept in seclusion, for a further period of not more than 12 hours, if—

(a) the authorised doctor is satisfied—

(i) of the matters mentioned in section 258 (1) (a) to (c) ; and

(ii) it has not been reasonably practicable for a reduction and elimination plan for the relevant patient to be approved during the 9 hours; and

(b) the clinical director of the authorised mental health service, upon being satisfied of the matters mentioned in paragraph (a) , has given written approval for the extension.

(3) The extension must be in writing and state the following—

(a) the further period, of not more than 12 hours, during which the relevant patient may be kept in seclusion;

(b) the time at which the further period of seclusion of the relevant patient is to start (the
"start time" );

(c) the time at which the further period of seclusion of the relevant patient is to end (the
"end time" );

(d) the measures that must be taken to ensure the health, safety and comfort of the relevant patient;

(e) the way in which the relevant patient must be observed while kept in the further period of seclusion, including whether the relevant patient must be observed continuously or at stated intervals of not more than 15 minutes;

(f) whether a health practitioner may remove the relevant patient from seclusion before the end time.

(4) As soon as practicable after giving the extension, the authorised doctor must—

(a) notify the chief psychiatrist of the extension; and

(b) make an application under section 266 for a reduction and elimination plan for the relevant patient.