Advance statements in the new Victorian Mental Health Act.
OBJECTIVE
There is growing recognition of the utility of advance statements in the area of mental health. The definition of advance statements and procedure for making and varying advance statements under the Victorian legislation is described. The implications for psychiatrists, mental health tribunals and the process should the psychiatrist vary their decision from that made in the advance statement are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Advance statements being enshrined in legislation is another step in the direction of recovery-oriented service provision for persons with mental illness. The challenge for services will be to develop systems and processes that promote increased uptake of these instruments to empower persons with mental illness to participate in their treatment.
Consultant psychiatrist, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Rosanna, VIC, Australia sudeep.saraf@austin.org.au.
Sudeep
S
Saraf
D006801:Humans; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D008603:Mental Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014739:Victoria
advance statements; involuntary consumers; recovery-oriented service delivery