The Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) is an independent body appointed by the Minister of Health under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 (the Act).
The MHRT's activities are:
- deciding whether patients are fit to be released from compulsory status
- making recommendations about the status of special patients.
- considering the status of restricted patients
- investigating complaints about breaches of patient rights
- appointing the psychiatrists who give second opinions about patient treatment
- appointing the psychiatrists who decide whether electro-convulsive treatment is in the interests of patients.
The MHRT is required to make its decisions based on the evidence before it, free from external influences.