Get someone to help you
People that can help you include:
- Members of your treating team - They can help by answering questions you might have about why they think you need the treatment.
- Family, friend, or carer - They can help you prepare, and they may attend the hearing with you.
- You can also make somebody your Nominated Support Person. Click here for more information on Nominated Support Persons.
- An Independent Patient Rights Adviser (IPRA) - An IPRA can help you understand what will happen at the hearing. They can provide you with information about your rights and how you can have your say at the hearing. For more info on IPRA, click here.
- A lawyer - You may also wish to speak to a lawyer. You don’t have to, but if you want to, a Community Legal Centre may be able to help you. For more information on your legal rights, visit our Information Sheets page.
- An interpreter -The Tribunal can arrange for an interpreter to be present at your hearing to help you have your say. If you need help with an interpreter, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service.
Read your clinical report
Your treating team/doctors will give you a report called a clinical report. They should give you this report 7 days before your hearing. This will have information about why they think you need treatment. It is a good idea to read this report and plan what you will say if you do not agree with it.
Complete a Self-Report
You can complete a report called a Self-Report.
Using the Self-Report, you can plan and write down what you want to tell the Tribunal.
This might include:
- what you think about your treatment
- whether you would like to be treated in the community or hospital
- who can support you to stay well
- if you don't agree with something in the clinical report.
Discuss with your treating team how you want to participate
You have the option to participate in the hearing in the following ways:
- by attending in person
- telephone
- video conferencing
%201.png)
