Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission will be launching a new clinical care standard in 2024 to guide medical professionals who are treating people with a cognitive disability or impairment. Independent disability organisations are being invited to learn more about the Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard.

How organisations can promote use:

By endorsing, the organisation acknowledges the clinical care standard has undergone rigorous review and outlines high standards of clinical care that it encourages its members to support. Organisations who, for various reasons, support the standard but are not able to formally endorse, are invited to assist with dissemination and promotion as a ‘supporting organisation’.

Organisations can further support implementation by:

  • Actively raising awareness of the standard and promoting it via their member networks
  • Incorporating the aspects of care described in the standard into related health and medical education, resources and continuing professional development
  • Encouraging members to use the clinical care standards and indicators in their own quality improvement activities
  • Presenting about the standards at scientific meetings and conferences.

The Commission develops resources to help with these activities, such as communication kits and presentations, and welcomes suggestions from endorsing organisations and other stakeholders about other forms of support that could be useful.

You can read more about the clinical care standard here: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/psychotropic-medicines-cognitive-impairment-and-disability-clinical-care-standard