Department of Health

Factsheet: Advice on co-ordination for mental health patient transport and community crisis responses

This fact sheet provides guidance on roles when:

  • arranging transport of a person subject to a compulsory order to or from a designated mental health service under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022
  • supporting police and Protective Services Officers exercising care and control powers in the community for a person experiencing a mental health crisis.

It acknowledges the distinct roles, training and perspectives of police, Protective Service Officers, paramedics and mental health clinicians. It outlines how mental health clinicians can work to articulate the risks and provide information to Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria, to support the best outcomes for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

The fact sheet also clarifies roles in:

  • providing a health-led response
  • providing a clinical interpretation of serious and imminent risk of harm to assist authorised persons to understand thresholds for care and control powers, including for responding to mental health crises and use of bodily restraint during transport
  • promoting patient safety, dignity and least restrictive practice in line with the principles of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act.

Reviewed 07 January 2026

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Office of the Chief Psychiatrist

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