Clinical guidelines & publications library

The impact of media and digital technology on children and adolescents

Children & adolescents, E-mental health, Professionalism

This position statement seeks to identify the many positive benefits of media and digital technology for children and adolescents, but also recognises areas of concern.

Mental health for the community

Collaborative care, Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Families, whānau & carers, Professionalism

This document outlines principles that underpin the effective delivery of mental health services to the community.

De-prescribing cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine

Dementia, Ethics, Professionalism

The RANZCP has endorsed this guideline produced by the University of Sydney Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre. URL Clinical guideline

RANZCP NZ Submission to Justice Select Committee on End of Life Choice Bill

Ethics, Voluntary assisted dying

RANZCP NZ Submission to Justice Select Committee on End of Life Choice Bill

Public insurance schemes: advocating for mental injury claimants

Insurance

Aspects of personal injury and workers compensation schemes impose disadvantages on people with mental injuries, delaying recovery and compounding suffering.

Involuntary mental health treatment in custody

Culturally safe practice, Ethics, Seclusion and restraint

Involuntary mental health treatment in custodial settings compromises clinical care, encourages inappropriate management of prisoners, and breaches human rights.

Physical health

Physical health, Professionalism

Aims to inform the development of policy and guidelines for the treatment, management and monitoring of the physical health of people with an enduring psychotic illness. PDF Clinical guideline

Private health insurance policies for psychiatric care in Australia

Insurance, Professionalism

Position Statement 91: Private health insurance policies for psychiatric care in Australia has been rescinded pending further review.

Mental health legislation and psychiatrists: putting the principles into practice

Mental health legislation, Professionalism

Mental health acts define the circumstances where compulsory measures can be taken to treat a person where illness has impaired their capacity to direct their care. Mental health acts in Australia and New Zealand should reflect community expectations. 

Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017

Ethics, Voluntary assisted dying

RANZCP VIC response to the Ministerial Advisory Panel discussion paper on the Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill

Psychiatrists, online presence and social media

E-mental health, Ethics, Professionalism

Psychiatrists who use social media should do so in a professional manner and refrain from comments they would not make in a personal or professional capacity.

The contribution to practice made by psychiatrists who have a personal experience of mental illness

Collaborative care, Culturally safe practice, Professionalism

Many people, including doctors and other health professionals, experience mental health problems at some point in their lives. The RANZCP acknowledges the contribution of psychiatrists with personal experience of mental illness.

Recognising and reducing alcohol-related harm

Alcohol, Professionalism

Excessive alcohol consumption has a detrimental effect on mental health with a well-documented relationship between alcohol misuse and mental health issues.

Patient–psychiatrist confidentiality: the issue of subpoenas

Ethics, Medico-legal, Mental health legislation, Professionalism

The use of subpoenas to access clinical records poses a risk to patient-psychiatrist confidentiality. Laws should be reformed to protect confidentiality in mental health care.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Culturally safe practice, Professionalism, Workforce

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers bring valuable skills and knowledge to the practice of psychiatry.

Antipsychotic medications as a treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

Dementia, Professionalism

This guideline has been rescinded pending review. PDF Clinical guideline

Direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals

Ethics, Professionalism

Direct-to-consumer advertising runs counter to the principles of best possible care for mental health consumers. Accordingly, the RANZCP advocates for a revision of the current legislation allowing direct-to-consumer advertising in all countries where it is currently operating.

Specialist old age psychiatry workforce and training

Old age, Professionalism, Workforce

Old age psychiatry focuses on the mental health of older people. RANZCP and the Royal College of Psychiatry UK have agreed to cooperate on initiatives to increase the training and skills of its workforce. 

Service Model for Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry in Victoria

RANZCP submission into improving quality and patient flow via a new service delivery of CLP in Victoria.

Deliberate self-harm clinical practice guideline

Ethics, Professionalism, Self-harm

This document is more than five years old and is no longer considered current guidance. PDF Clinical guideline