RULES / LICENCE

RULES
By invoking proviso under Sub-Section (2) of section 94 of the Mental Health Act, 1987 (14 of 1987), the Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have framed State Mental Health Rules, 1990, applicable to all states. Sub-section (2) of Section 94 of the Mental Health Act, 1987 also empowers the State Government, with the previous approval of the Central Government, may, by notification make Rules for carrying out the provision of the Act. Now the Government of Tamilnadu have decided to frame separate Rules to suit the needs of the State and the same will be published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette soon.

LICENCE
It has been decided to license all the psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric nursing homes. The notification regarding licensing process has already been published. Following are procedures for applying for license

  1. As per the provisions of Mental Health Act no person shall establish or maintain a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home unless he holds a valid license granted to him under the Act
  2. Mental Health Act defines a psychiatric hospital or nursing home as a hospital or nursing home established or maintained by any person for the treatment and care of mentally ill persons includes a convalescent home.
  3. Director, Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk, Chennai has been nominated as the Licensing Authority.
  4. All the Heads of the Department of Psychiatry attached to Govt. Medical Colleges in Tamil Nadu have been appointed as Inspectors for Psychiatric Hospitals and Nursing homes.
  5. Whoever wishes to establish a new psychiatric hospital or nursing home should apply to the Licensing Authority in the prescribed application form II. The existing psychiatric hospitals or nursing homes should also apply for license in form I to the Licensing Authority.
  6. Application Forms can be collected from Director, Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk, Chennai on any working day between 10 and 2 PM or Any of the Head of the Department of Psychiatry attached to Govt. Medical College Hospitals in Tamil Nadu
  7. Licensing fee is Rs.2000 (Rupees Two thousand only). Duly filled up application forms with Demand Draft for Rs.2000/-(Two thousand only) drawn in favour of Director, Institute of Mental Health, Chennai should be sent to the following address in person or through registered post to
The Director, Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk, Chennai. On receiving the duly filled up application form, the Licensing Authority will instruct the Inspector of Psychiatric Hospital to inspect the concerned hospital and send a report. Based on the report and further enquiry the license will be granted. State Mental Health Rule, 1990 prescribes minimum facilities for maintaining a psychiatric hospital or nursing home.
  1. Staff requirement:
    One full time qualified psychiatrist
    • One psychologist or Psychiatric social worker
    • Staff nurses
    • Attenders
  2. Physical structure:
    • Adequate floor space depending on the number of beds provided
  3. Support facilities:
    • Provision for emergency care
    • Electro Convulsive Therapy facility
    • Psycho-diagnostic facility
    • Provision for recreational / rehabilitation activities
    • Facility for regular out-patient care

Kindly refer to Mental Health Rules, 1990 for further information on minimum requirement of a psychiatric hospital or nursing home.
All the Professors/Associate Readers in the Department of Psychiatry in the Government Medical College Hospitals including at I.M.H and I.C.H are authorised to conduct inspection of the psychiatric facilities, with regard to issuance of license/renewal of licence. Based on the report of the Inspecting officer the Director, IMH shall issue licence / renewal of licence.

Application form for applying License / Renewal of License