Office of the Chief Psychiatrist

Role of the Chief Psychiatrist

The Chief Psychiatrist provides clinical and professional leadership role in mental health quality and safety, with particular regard to the following areas:

• advocating for the voices of lived experience and for this to be incorporated in mental health services
• monitoring compliance with the Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998
• participating in safety and quality leadership at a national level
• setting a strategic direction for person-centred quality services for the Northern Territory (NT).

The Chief Psychiatrist of the Northern Territory is Dr David Mitchell.

Office of the Chief Psychiatrist

The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist supports the Chief Psychiatrist with specific projects; workforce development and training initiatives; collecting and publishing information; and to inform recommendations to meet the needs of mental health services in the NT.

Our vision is to establish a better understanding of mental health and mental illness by increasing mental health literacy, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and to ensure that the mental health service system is responsive, coordinated, and provides timely and high quality, culturally safe and appropriate care at the right place and at the right time.

Legislation, policies, standards and directions

Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998 - the Act is currently under review.

For more information on the review, go to NT Health reviews.

Current projects

• Redesign of the psychiatry training in NT and oversight of the Directorate of Training.
• Enhancing contemporary research and integrating translational research into mental health service.
• Review of Mental Health and Related Services Act 1998 (MHRSA).
• Oversight of clinical governance and care coordination across all NT health regions.
• Oversight of the development of the NT framework for lived experience engagement.

Approved Procedures and Quality Assurance Committee (APQAC)

The Approved Procedures and Quality Assurance Committee (APQAC) is a statutory committee established under part 17 of the Act. Membership is outlined in the terms of reference, and endorsed by the Chief Executive of NT Health.

Pursuant to section 145(2) of the Act, the function of APQAC is to:

• monitor and review the approved procedures and forms and where appropriate, recommend amendments to them
• assess and evaluate the quality of mental health services, including clinical practices and privileges, and where appropriate, recommend changes to them.

Any questions regarding the approved procedures or APQAC should be directed to the Chief Psychiatrist on 08 8999 2766 or email ChiefPsychiatrist.Health@nt.gov.au

Contacts

If you wish to provide the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist with feedback or a complaint please provide a detailed email to the below contact. Complaints can be on but not limited to: a mental health facility, mental health practitioner and/or mental health services.

Office of the Chief Psychiatrist
Phone: 08 8999 2766
ChiefPsychiatrist.Health@nt.gov.au

PO Box 40596
Casuarina NT 0811

For other related services, contact:

• Northern Territory Mental Health Coalition (NTMHC) - peak body for community-managed mental health
• Community based mental health services - various non-government services
• NT Community Visitor Program - independent complaints, advocacy, monitoring and inspection body.
• Health and Community Services Complaints Commission NT - independent statutory body, assist to resolve complaints about health, disability and aged services and make recommendations.