TS 12320

TS 12320 addresses the criteria for organising, delivering, and supervising psychological services provided in hospitals in line with patient and community needs. Rather than treating psychology as an isolated activity, it frames these services as part of the hospital’s planned clinical support structure. The standard therefore focuses on the relationship between organisation, operation, and oversight.

Where psychological services fit in hospital care

In general technical terms, hospital psychological services can support patient adjustment, coping with illness, participation in treatment, and short-term supportive intervention when needed. They usually sit at the intersection of psychological practice and multidisciplinary clinical care, which makes coordination with other hospital units important. The standard’s subject is the systematic and reviewable delivery of these services within the hospital setting.

What the scope means in practice

• Organising services according to patient needs
• Considering community needs in institutional planning
• Defining organisational criteria for delivery of psychological services
• Keeping the service within a supervised and traceable structure

This document supports a quality-oriented approach to psychological services in hospitals. In a general sense, it helps institutions align service scope, workflow, and supervision within a consistent framework informed by healthcare regulation and accreditation references. It is a technical reference for hospitals that want a clearer structure for the role of psychological services inside the care system.