Circular details

Mandatory providers of road based patient transport services for individuals in metropolitan Perth under formal Transport Orders under the Mental Health Act 2014 (Form 4A)

All hospital sites in WA are required to comply with the Mental Health Act 2014 (MHA 2014).  Individuals who are subject to Transport Orders (Form 4A) under the MHA 2014 may require Inter Hospital Patient Transport (IHPT) between Department of Health Metropolitan Hospital Sites (DoHMHS), IHPT from DoHMHS to Bunbury Mental Health Service, or transport from various locations in the metropolitan Community to a DoHMHS or to Bunbury Mental Health Service.

Use of the transport contracts HCNS 120214 and C06423 is mandated for DoHMHSs and optional for Fiona Stanley Hospital. 

Individuals who are subject to Transport Orders and who have been assessed as Low, Medium or High risk may be provided with a transport service in the company of a Transport Officer.  WA Police assistance will be requested for individuals who are assessed as Extreme risk.

To book patient transport for an individual who is subject to a Transport Order (Form 4A), a Mental Health clinician will be required to complete a Form 4A, and make a formal assessment of risk.  Transport will need to be booked based on assessed risk and in accordance with the attached matrix and the table below.  In every case, the destination will need to be determined before transport is booked. 

IHPT Services for individuals assessed as Medium and High risk and the Community to Hospital Patient Transport Service are available from 12 noon to 10 pm only.  At other times, it will be necessary to wait until the service is available.  It is important to note that WA Police will assist with transport for an individual who is subject to a Transport Order only where risk has been assessed as being Extreme and priority will be determined according to WA Police operational demands.

The ‘fee for service’ for any occasion of road based IHPT will continue to be met by the sending DoHMHS.  Where an individual will receive transport from the Community to a DoHMHS or to Bunbury MHS, the Health Service of the clinician authorising the Transport Order will meet the ‘fee for service’.

From 29 February 2016 all DoHMHS, except Fiona Stanley Hospital, must purchase all road-based NEIHPT services for individuals who are subject to Transport Orders under the MHA 2014 and who have been assessed as Low risk level directly from the following providers:

•           Falck Pty Ltd

•           National Patient Transport WA Pty Ltd

•           St John Ambulance Western Australia Ltd (SJA).

From 29 February 2016 all DoHMHS must purchase all road-based IHPT services for individuals who are subject to Transport Orders under the MHA 2014 who have been assessed as High risk level from SJA.

From 29 February 2016 all Metropolitan DoH Mental Health Services must purchase all road-based Community to Hospital patient transport services for individuals who are subject to Transport Orders under the MHA 2014 from SJA.

An information sheet summarising booking details, availability and provider statements will be circulated to Mental Health Teams in the metropolitan area and Bunbury.  It will support staff to identify and purchase the most appropriate and best value for money transport service for individuals who are subject to Transport Orders under the MHA 2014, taking into account the needs of the patient and health services.

Dr D.J. Russell-Weisz
DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WA