Response to the Draft Psychotropic Medicines and Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) commended the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care on the development of this standard as part of a joint commitment with the Aged Care Quality Commission and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to reduce the inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines in older people and people with a cognitive disability or impairment.

The APS is a strong advocate for effective, evidence-informed psychological interventions as first-line treatment for mental health and behavioural concerns, and as a co-intervention when psychotropic medications are required. Our submission drew particular attention to the following aspects and recommended these be strengthened in the clinical care standard:

• The impact that stigma and discrimination, including self-stigma, may have on the participation of people with cognitive impairments and disabilities in their care, and reducing or delaying access to appropriate non-drug strategies for the management of behaviour concerns.
• The need for safeguards to minimise the risk of coercion for people with cognitive impairment or disability during processes seeking informed consent for psychotropic medications.
• Recognising the important role of psychologists in supporting people with cognitive impairment or disability and other health professionals about matters referred to in the standard including decision-making capacity for informed consent, evidence-informed non-drug strategies for managing behaviours of concern, and psychological approaches to medication management and deprescribing.

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