In 'Absent without approval' pathway

About the 'absent without approval' pathway

This interactive tool is still in development.
Your feedback on the accessibility, usability and clarity of current AWA process is sought to inform development of additional modules in the tool.

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This pathway supports authorised mental health services with responding to patients 'absent without approval'

It contains decision-making tools that align with existing principles and requirements set out in resources for managing involuntary patient absences, including the Mental Health Act 2016 and relevant Chief Psychiatrist policies.

This pathway provides a recommended statewide approach for mental health clinicians, but it acknowledges that:

when patient absences occur, each scenario is unique
our services may have agreed approaches (with police and ambulance) at a local level.

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How does it work?

It's split into a 4-stage process that may occur when a person becomes absent without approval.

Stage 1

Identifying if a person is 'absent without approval' under the Mental Health Act 2016 and then undertaking an initial assessment of urgency.

Stage 2

Assessing risk and clinical considerations to determine if ambulance or police assistance is required to return the absent person, or if mental health clinicians can first attempt to return them voluntarily.

Stage 3

Completing an Authority to transport absent person form to authorise an absent person's involuntary return, as well as coordinating the return with ambulance and police assistance (if necessary).

Stage 4

Ending an authority to transport an absent person and reviewing the situation to prevent future absences.

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Can I access it on my own device?

Yes, you can use this pathway on any device that can access the Queensland Health public website.

However, some links might refer you to Queensland Health's intranet (QHEPS) for internal documents and contact information. In those instances, Queensland Health employees can access this information by either:

using a Queensland Health computer or device
setting up the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) service for your Apple or Android device.

To set up the BYOD service, visit https://qheps.health.qld.gov.au/byod on a Queensland Health computer.

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Continue to the 'absent without approval' pathway.

Last updated: 6 October 2022