What Happens at a Review
A review provides an opportunity for the doctor (or other members of the treating team) and the patient to discuss whether the involuntary order should continue. During a review, the doctor and patient are given the opportunity of providing information to the Board about the need for the involuntary order. The patient and their representative (if they have one) are able to ask questions of the treating team, and provide submissions to the Board. The Board then makes a decision about whether to continue the involuntary order on the basis of the information it receives.

The Board generally conducts its reviews in the following way:

• Prior to the commencement of the review, the members of the Board review the contents of the medical files applicable to the patient and particularly any report prepared in relation to the patient.
  
  
• The Board's preference is for any report provided to it to also be made available to the patient and/or discussed with the patient prior to the review.
  
  
• The patient is entitled to relevant information to be able to respond to the matters raised by the treating team if he or she wishes to do so. This information can be provided in writing (by a report) or orally at the review itself.
  
  
• If the Board is advised that there are good reasons why some information should not be provided to the patient (consistent with section 161), the Board considers those reasons and makes a decision about what information is made available for the purposes of the review. If any information is restricted, the Board ensures that the patient has sufficient information to respond appropriately to the relevant issues, primarily whether or not the criteria for involuntary status continue to be satisfied.
  
  
• The review commences with introductions and an explanation of the purpose and process of the review.
  
  
• After the short introductory phase, the treating or supervising psychiatrist or other member of the treating team provides further comment, where necessary, on the provided report, the patient's progress and treatment plan, and the need for continuing involuntary status. Board members, and/or the patient/ patient's representative may question the treating team member on issues arising from the report or comments.
  
  
• The patient is given the opportunity to respond to the issues raised by the treating team member and may introduce information by calling other persons. Board members may speak with the patient about his or her views, even if the patient is represented.
  
  
• Once all relevant information has been provided, final comments will be sought from the patient or his or her legal representative, and the member of the treating team. The Board then adjourns.
  
  
• The Board considers the information available to it and makes a decision about whether or not the involuntary status should be continued.
  
  
• The Board then invites the patient back into the review room to advise him or her of the decision and provide him or her with a copy of the decision sheet.
  
  
• If a patient has notice of the review but does not attend it, the Board may conduct the review in the patient's absence. Where this occurs, a copy of the decision made by the Board will be posted to the patient.