Today marks a significant milestone in health care as the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) introduces a national standard to improve the care of people with cognitive disability or impairment.

Released 9 May 2024

Psychotropic medicines are commonly prescribed to people with cognitive disability or impairment, including older people with dementia and people of all ages with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Psychotropic medicine use in these populations is disproportionately high, reflecting a concerning trend in healthcare practices.

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This resource accompanies the Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard. It describes what the quality statements mean for healthcare services and provides indicators to support local quality improvement activity.

This resource lists the eight quality statements in the clinical care standard that aim to ensure the safe and appropriate use of psychotropic medicines in people with cognitive disability or impairment.

The standard contains eight quality statements that describe the health care you should receive to support the correct use of psychotropic medicines. This fact sheet explains each quality statement and what it means for you.  

The Psychotropic Medicines in Cognitive Disability or Impairment Clinical Care Standard contains eight quality statements and seven indicators to ensure the safe and appropriate use of psychotropic medicines in people with cognitive disability or impairment and uphold their rights, dignity, health and quality of life.