Mental Health Consumers Who Are Missing or Absent Without Leave Policy
MP 0012/16 - Mental Health Consumers Who Are Missing or Absent Without Leave Policy (pdf 169KB)
Applicable to: This policy is applicable to all HSPs that provide public mental health services, including through emergency departments.
Description: This policy establishes the minimum requirements to:
- reduce the risk of a mental health consumer becoming absent without leave (AWOL) or a missing person
- ensure the safety of mental health consumers who are missing or AWOL
- ensure compliance with the Mental Health Act 2014 (MHA 2014)
Mental health consumers present throughout the WA health system, including, but not limited to, inpatient and community mental health services and emergency departments.
When a mental health consumer is AWOL or a missing person, the likelihood of the following risks may increase:
- self-harm or suicide
- deterioration of mental and physical health
- harm to others
- exposure to undesirable and unsafe situations.
There may also be increased likelihood of reputational and legal risk to the Health Service Provider (HSP), especially if an adverse outcome eventuates.
This policy is a mandatory requirement for HSPs under the Mental Health Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(c) of the Health Services Act 2016 (HSA 2016).
This policy must be read in conjunction with:
Date of effect: 01 July 2016
Policy Framework
Mental Health
Procedures-for-Involving-Police-When-Mental-Health-Consumers-Are-Missing-or-Absent-Without-Leave (pdf 120KB)
Best-Practice-Guideline-Mental-Health-Consumers-Who-Are-Missing-or-Absent-Without-Leave (pdf 221KB)