Victorian Numbered Acts Victorian Numbered Acts(1) Subject to subsection (2), an authorised psychiatrist may in writing direct staff at a designated mental health service to restrict an inpatient's right to communicate if the authorised psychiatrist is satisfied that the restriction is reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of the inpatient or of another person.
(2) A direction cannot be given under subsection (1) which restricts an inpatient's right to communicate with—
(a) a legal representative; or
(b) the chief psychiatrist; or
(c) the Commissioner; or
(d) the Tribunal; or
(e) a community visitor.
(3) An authorised psychiatrist must ensure that if he or she directs that an inpatient's right to communicate be restricted, those restrictions are the least restrictive possible to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of the inpatient or of another person.