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Access to community leave an important part of recovery

22 Dec 2014

Queensland's Mental Health Commissioner has endorsed community leave as an important treatment option for people recovering from mental illness.

Dr Lesley van Schoubroeck said localised decision-making by ward managers and clinicians delivered the best outcomes for people in care and for the community.

Her comments follow media coverage this week of a Brisbane mental health patient who was granted leave from The Park Centre for Mental Health on December 17, in accordance with his treatment plan, but did not return by his afternoon curfew.

A recent Queensland Mental Health Commission report based on research undertaken by the University of Melbourne, confirmed that flexible, localised decision-making on treatment options reflected international best practice.

"In Queensland, access to leave is progressive and carefully considered," Dr van Schoubroek said.

"Clinicians weigh up risks by considering the patient’s mental state, their recovery progress as well as external risks to the patient or the community. Based on that assessment, clinicians will make a recommendation to the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) for consideration.

"I am advised that the patient currently absent without permission has successfully taken leave many times in the past, with leave being an approved part of his treatment plan.

"It is unfortunate that in this case he has not returned as required, but we must not deny appropriate patients the right to access community leave given that it is such an important part in the recovery process."

The Queensland Mental Health Commission report outlined a range of options to improve mental health facilities and reduce absconding. For more information on reforms for mental health wards visit here.