Clinical guidelines & publications library

The relationship between psychiatrists and commercial organisations within the health care industry

Ethics, Professionalism

This guideline is intended to help psychiatrists who have a financial interest in a treatment or management facility to identify, assess, and manage conflicts of interest, and highlight ethical judgements psychiatrists should reflect on when engaging with the healthcare industry and the treatment of patients. PDF Ethical guideline

Members having a financial interest in a treatment or management facility

Ethics, Professionalism

PDF Ethical guideline

Therapeutic use of medicinal cannabis products

Cannabis, Ethics, Professionalism

Information for psychiatrists about the therapeutic use of medicinal cannabis products, including in psychiatric practice. PDF Clinical guideline

Voluntary assisted dying

Ethics, Voluntary assisted dying, Professionalism

The primary role of medical practitioners in end of life care is to facilitate good quality patient-centred care. This statement should not be taken as explicit or implied support of the legalisation of physician assisted suicide. 

Suicide prevention – the role of psychiatry

Ethics, Suicide, Professionalism

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, with far-reaching effects on families, whānau, and communities. Psychiatrists play a central role in suicide prevention by providing clinical expertise, leadership, and advocacy within multidisciplinary systems of care. Suicide prevention requires sustained effort and coordination across governments, health and social systems, communities, and individuals. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) advocates for compassionate, evidence-based, culturally safe and person-centred approaches to prevention, intervention, and postvention, underpinned by collaboration, equity, and kindness.

Minimising and eliminating the use of seclusion and restraint in mental health services

Ethics, Seclusion and restraint, Professionalism

The RANZCP is committed to the delivery of quality mental health services that seek to improve safe practice and promote optimal outcomes to those receiving care. 

Safe, comprehensive, and equitable ADHD care

ADHD, Ethics, Professionalism, Addressing health inequity

Use of ketamine in psychiatric practice

Ethics, Ketamine, Professionalism

Information for psychiatrists about the potential utility of ketamine in psychiatric practice. PDF Clinical guideline

Prohibition of ‘conversion practices’ in WA

Ethics, Families, whānau & carers, LGBTIQ+

WA Branch submission to the Department of Justice about ‘conversion practices’ in WA.

Pharmacogenetics in healthcare

Ethics, Genetic testing, Professionalism, Culturally safe practice

The RANZCP has endorsed the following resources produced by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. URL Clinical guideline

Review of End of Life Choice Act 2019

Ethics, Mental health legislation, Professionalism

RANZCP NZ Submission to Manatū Hauora│Ministry of Health regarding the Review of End of Life Choice Act 2019

Social media guideline

Ethics, Professionalism

Guidance for College members on appropriate standards of behaviour and professionalism when using social media. PDF Ethical guideline

Draft Statement on ‘Treating yourself and those close to you’

Ethics, Health service standards, Doctor's health

RANZCP NZ Submission to Te Kaunihera Rata o Aotearoa/Medical Council of New Zealand on Consultation for Draft Statement on ‘Treating yourself and those close to you’

Administration of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Electroconvulsive therapy & neurostimulation, Ethics, Professionalism

Guidance on key professional practice issues that psychiatrists should consider when prescribing and administering repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). PDF Clinical guideline

National codes and standards relevant to psychiatry practice and mental health services in Australia and New Zealand

Ethics, Health service standards, Professionalism, Addressing health inequity, Culturally safe practice

Professional Practice Guideline 14 was rescinded in May 2024. PDF Clinical guideline

RANZCP engagement with the pharmaceutical and medical device industry

Ethics, Professionalism

This Position Statement provides guidance on how the College may engage with pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and other commercial companies.

Suicide reporting in the media

Ethics, Suicide

Position Statement 70: Suicide Reporting in the media has been rescinded (May 2024).

Zero tolerance policy on proven sexual boundary violations

Ethics, Professionalism

PDF Ethical guideline

The mental health of veterans and defence force service members

Ethics, Military and veterans, Professionalism

The position statement outlines the necessary action to improve mental health outcomes for current defence force service members and veterans.

Off-label prescribing in psychiatry

Ethics, Off-label prescribing, Professionalism

The Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has developed this
guidance to provide advice to psychiatrists who may be considering the use of medications ‘off label’, with a key focus on risk identification and justification. PDF Clinical guideline