(1)  An approved ambulance officer or an approved medical officer, when acting as an MHO in transporting any patient by ambulance under this Act, may sedate the patient if the approved ambulance officer or approved medical officer reasonably considers it necessary or prudent to do so, having regard to, and in accordance with, any field protocols approved under the Poisons Act 1971 by the Commissioner, within the meaning of the Ambulance Service Act 1982 .

(2)  Nothing in this section is to be taken as authorising an approved ambulance officer or approved medical officer to sedate a patient contrary to the Poisons Act 1971 or another law of the State.

(3)  An approved ambulance officer or approved medical officer who exercises the power of sedation under subsection (1) is to give the Chief Psychiatrist a report of the matter.

(4)  The report is to –

(a) be in an approved form; and

(b) be given within 14 days after the end of the month in which the power of sedation is exercised; and

(c) set out full particulars of the matter, including –

(i) the name of the patient; and

(ii) the reason for the transportation; and

(iii) particulars of the sedation, the reasons for it, and the outcome.

(5)  In this section –

approved ambulance officer means an ambulance officer who is approved as an MHO for this Act;

approved medical officer means a medical practitioner who is approved as an MHO for this Act;

patient includes a prospective patient;

transport includes –

(a) helping to transport; and

(b) making preparations to transport.