The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been updated to reflect the amended Mental Health Act 2007 No 8. In addition, NSW Health and NSW Police Force agreed to broaden the MOU beyond people with a mental illness or mental disorder. The MOU now includes a section on patients in police custody who are brought to a health facility and a section on the management of public safety issues in health facilities.
The MOU sets out the principles to guide how staff from NSW Health and NSW Police will work together when responding to and delivering care and treatment to people accessing these services. It provides a framework that focusses on interagency cooperation to deliver care to patients in a safe environment. The MOU promotes a flexible, solution focussed approach to decision-making to provide for the wellbeing and safety of the patient and the safety of staff involved in their care.