DescriptionThe Tribunal Hearing Room provides the space and amenities to support the functions of the Mental Health Tribunal, including hearings, confidential discussions and/or counselling between the Tribunal members, the treating team, consumer, and their support person(s) and representative(s). Hearings may be conducted in person or by video conference. The room may also be used for Staff handovers, clinical reviews, education, large family meetings and other activities during times when not in use as a Tribunal Hearing Room.Hours of Operation9am to 5pm, Mon - Fri (may vary depending on service requirements for multipurpose use of room)Occupancyup to 12 persons seated;Additional Considerations~ Requirements for Tribunal Hearing Rooms, including audio visual/teleconferencing requirements, may vary across jurisdictions. Refer to local policies for guidance.
~ Requirements for the selection of suitable finishes, hardware, fixtures and fittings of a type manufactured and marketed as anti-ligature (including any weight limits for load release for certain fixtures) must be confirmed at project level based on service requirements, patient safety policies, local design guidance, risk assessments and confirmation of operational models. This includes the door, door hardware, joinery surfaces, joinery hardware, engineering services outlets and any ceiling mounted fixtures and services. All tamper proof and anti-ligature items must be installed in accordance with their manufacturer's instructions. Anti-ligature fittings may require a performance solution to be provided for the room to meet accessibility requirements. This must be considered and addressed at project level to meet applicable legislation and standards (to be confirmed with the project accessibility and building code consultants).
~ All glazing (including external windows) is to be Grade A safety glass to comply with AS/NZS 2208 and AS 1288. Toughened and laminated glass with a structural interlayer is recommended. Additional requirements for glazing are to be confirmed at project level to suit the specific mental health environment (i.e. non-acute, acute, intensive care).
~ Requirement for the provision of an adjacent observation area is to be confirmed based on service requirements and jurisdictional policies. Where provided, an observation window with integral venetians is to be provided.
~ It is recommended that the door set is selected as a full assembly to ensure the leaf, frame and hardware are coordinated and meet all tamper proof, anti-ligature and anti-barricade requirements when used together. Inclusion and size of a vision panel to be confirmed to suit service requirements. Privacy film may be applied to the vision panel as required.
~ The Tribunal Hearing Room will require safe and effective access and egress. A second door is required. The location and swing of the secondary egress door will be dependent on the overall floor plan and availability of an appropriate area to egress.
~ Based on a risk assessment, ceiling height is to be confirmed at a project level in combination with considerations for FF&E selection to ensure consumers cannot reach or cause damage to the ceiling or services located on the ceiling.
~ Mobile duress alarms are assumed to be provided. Fixed duress buttons may also be included as appropriate locations throughout the room (e.g. nearby to secondary egress door or mounted to the underside of a table). Consider the location of wi-fi access points to ensure strong coverage is provided for mobile duress functions.
~ Provision of hearing augmentation may be required depending on audio visual/teleconferencing capabilities and features. Requirements to be confirmed at project level.
~ Furniture selected for the room, such as tables and chairs, should be appropriate for the various activities anticipated to be undertaken in the room as per service requirements. Storage for furniture may be required to support flexible use of room.
~ The selection of finishes in rooms for mental health units is to be carefully considered to support the provision of a welcoming, warm and therapeutic atmosphere and should aim to eliminate an institutional feel.
~ Nearby access to a beverage bay and toilet facilities is recommended.
~ Provision of a room booking system (control panel, service requirements) may be considered at project level to suit service requirements and operational models.
~ A high level of acoustic privacy is required for confidentiality. Acoustic treatments and installation to be considered to meet requirements of the mental health environment, including for robustness.
~ Natural light and external outlook are desirable. Consider placement of windows and room orientation to suit privacy requirements and location of camera for video-conferencing to avoid glare.