(1)  The Chief Psychiatrist may issue directions ( standing orders ) to controlling authorities, medical practitioners, nurses or other persons regarding the exercise of their responsibilities in respect of any clinical or non-clinical procedure or matter under –

(a) provisions of this Act; and

(b) provisions of other Acts in respect of which the Chief Psychiatrist may have responsibilities.

Note 1

The Chief Psychiatrist must, however, ensure that there are standing orders in relation to the seclusion and restraint of involuntary patients – see section 57(5) and section 56(4A) .

Note 2

The Chief Psychiatrist must, however, ensure that there are standing orders in relation to the seclusion and restraint of involuntary forensic patients – see section 94(5) and section 95(5) .

(2)  Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) , the standing orders may indicate how a provision of this or another Act ought to be applied in a practical clinical or forensic setting.

(3)  To avoid doubt, the specific mention of standing orders in certain provisions of this or another Act does not preclude them from being issued and applied to other provisions where they are not mentioned if the Chief Psychiatrist considers there are reasonable grounds to do so.

(4)  A person exercising, under this or another Act, responsibilities in respect of a matter for which standing orders have been issued must comply with those standing orders.

(5)  A failure by an individual to comply with standing orders is not an offence but does constitute proper grounds for instituting professional or, as the case may be, occupational disciplinary action against that individual.