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National Health Act, 2003 (Act No. 61 of 2003)

Notices

Policy Guidelines for the Licensing of Residential and/or Day Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Illness and/or Severe or Profound Intellectual Disability

6. Guiding Principles

 

6.1 Facilities and services providing mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation should ensure the protection of the basic human rights of mental health care users.

 

6.2 Mental health care users should receive care, treatment and rehabilitation in environments which are safe, therapeutic and less restrictive.

 

6.3 The care, treatment and rehabilitation programmes provided in these facilities or services, must promote the physical, spiritual, emotional and social well being of mental health care users.

 

6.4 A multi -disciplinary approach must be followed to provide care, treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

 

6.5 Psycho -social rehabilitation programs must be sensitive to culture and must be evidence based.

 

6.6 There must be collaboration with stakeholders that have a role in the provision of community -based mental health care services including the non- governmental organization, Departments of Labour, Social Development, Basic Education, Human Settlements and Local Government.

 

6.7 Facilities and services must aim at improving social competence by enhancing individuals' social skills, psychological and occupational functioning.

 

6.8 The programmes and services should be planned with mental health care users as far as possible.

 

6.9 The environment where residential and day care services are provided should be accessible and equitable to all regardless of geographical location, economic status, race, gender or social condition, and mental health care services should have parity with general health services.

 

6.10 All organisations who provide residential and day care services to mental health care users should be accountable for the delivery of appropriate, effective and efficient interventions.

 

6.11 Residential and day care services should be offered in the context of the community environment and should provide capacity building and support to communities.

 

6.12 Residential and day care services should offer a wide range of services and programmes that are specific to each mental health care users' developmental and therapeutic needs.

 

6.13 Residential and day care services should be holistic, intersectoral and delivered or supported by a multi -disciplinary team.

 

6.14 Residential and day care facilities should meet all infrastructure requirements as set by the South African Bureau of Standards, municipal by -laws, relevant legislation and policies.