Adult Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit

An updated revision of HPU 134 Mental Health - Overarching Guideline (Revision 8.0, October 2024) has been uploaded to the AusHFG website. The revised version has been informed by an extensive consultation process through a co-design approach with clinical, operational and technical experts, as well as participants with lived experience of mental illness.

Key changes to the document include: ​​

• Emphasis on the role of family, carers and supporters as important components of the therapeutic and recovery model for mental health.
• Promotion of physical health and wellbeing of consumers in mental health units.
• Updates regarding Tribunal Rooms to emphasise the multifunctional use of these rooms.
• Consideration of appropriate ventilation strategies to promote the provision of a comfortable environment in the consumer bedroom.
• Updates regarding Seclusion Rooms to emphasize that they are being eliminated in some jurisdictions and where they are still being provided, the room will be designed to facilitate transition into a consumer-focused room when the practice of seclusion is eventually phased out.
• Updates to the ‘Staff/Consumer Interface’ area to emphasise the importance of direct face to face engagement of staff and consumers without compromising staff safety.
• Clarification regarding the distinction between the ‘Kitchen/Servery’ and ‘Kitchen – Activity/Therapy’ with associated planning and design guidance provided.
• Adjustments to support areas within the SOA including patient property storage, gun safe, medication room and, kitchen/servery.