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. 

Addressing the mental health impacts of disasters and crises

Natural disasters & emergencies, Professionalism, Culturally safe practice

This position statement outlines the importance of mental health support following acute disasters and crises and the role of psychiatrists in disaster response.

Safe, comprehensive, and equitable ADHD care

ADHD, Ethics, Professionalism, Addressing health inequity

Psychiatrists as team members

GPs and psychiatrists, Health service standards, Professionalism

This guideline was rescinded in May 2025.

The role of the psychiatrist in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Workforce, Professionalism

A psychiatrist is a specialist medical doctor who assesses and treats patients with mental health problems. Psychiatrists often work in collaboration with general practitioners and other health professionals to best meet the mental health and emotional needs of patients.

The roles and relationships of psychiatrists and other service providers in mental health services

Collaborative care, Professionalism

This guideline was rescinded in May 2025.

Medical benefits for psychiatric treatment and training

Medicare, Professionalism

Professional Practice Guideline 1: Medical benefits for psychiatric treatment and training was rescinded in May 2025.

Use of ketamine in psychiatric practice

Ethics, Ketamine, Professionalism

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

Ombudsman’s investigation into delay and procedural safeguards

Collaborative care, Health service standards, Professionalism

RANZCP submission to the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) regarding the Ombudsman’s investigation into delay and procedural safeguards PDF Submission

Valproate in healthcare

Professionalism

The RANZCP has endorsed the following resource produced by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the United Kingdom. URL Clinical guideline

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

Family Law Amendment Bill 2024

Families, whānau & carers, Medico-legal, Professionalism, Addressing health inequity, Culturally safe practice

RANZCP Submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee regarding the Family Law Amendment Bill 2024

The Psychiatry Workforce Training Pipeline in Aotearoa New Zealand

Workforce, Professionalism

This report provides and overview of the psychiatry workforce composition and sustainability of the training pipeline. Completed in collaboration with Te Whatu Ora │Health New Zealand

Public Safety and Serious Offenders: A Review of Preventive Detention and Post Sentence Orders

Professionalism, Addressing health inequity, Culturally safe practice

RANZCP NZ Submission to Te Aka Matua o te Ture | New Zealand Law Commission regarding the Public Safety and Serious Offenders: A Review of Preventive Detention and Post Sentence Orders

Proposal to Remove the Renewal Criteria for Stimulant Treatments

ADHD, Professionalism

RANZCP NZ Submission to Pharmac regarding the Proposal to Remove the Renewal Criteria for Stimulant Treatments