129Official visitors

#### 129 Official visitors 129 Official visitors (cf 1990 Act, s 228) > > (1) The Minister must, by instrument in writing, appoint official visitors. > > > (2) A person may be appointed as an official visitor if the person has any of the following qualifications— > > > > > (a) the person is a medical practitioner, > > > > > (b) the person is a registered psychologist, > > > > > (c) the person has any other qualifications prescribed by the regulations, > > > > > (d) the person is otherwise a suitably qualified or interested person. > > > (3) An official visitor has the following functions— > > > > > (a) to refer matters raising any significant public mental health issues or patient safety or care or treatment issues to the Principal official visitor or any other appropriate person or body, > > > > > (b) to act as an advocate for patients to promote the proper resolution of issues arising in the mental health system, including issues raised by a designated carer or principal care provider of a patient or person detained under this Act, > > > > > (c) to inspect mental health facilities as directed by the Principal official visitor and in accordance with this Part, > > > > > (d) any other function conferred on official visitors by or under this or any other Act. > > **s 129:** Am 2010 No 34, Sch 2.33 \[1\]; 2014 No 85, Sch 1 \[71\].