Older Persons Mental Health Service
Who are we? | What do we do? | Who do we see? | Who can refer to us? | Where do we work? | What does it cost? | How can we be reached? | Who else can help?
Who are we?
The Older Persons Mental Health Service is a component of the Cairns Integrated Mental Health Service and operates within the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service District.
Our team is comprised of experienced Mental Health Clinicians and a Consultant Psychiatrist.
We provide a community mental health service for older adults. See our brochure for further information.
What do we do?
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- Consultation-Liaison services (to General Practitioners and Aged Care Facilities) regarding:
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- clinical assessment and diagnostic opinion
- recommendations for ongoing treatment
- ongoing liaison and staff support
(General Practitioners continue to provide prescriptions and ongoing monitoring e.g. blood tests, etc.)
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- Short term clinical review
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- Brief psychosocial interventions
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Patients and carers (both family and professional carers)
- Disease related – symptoms, relapse prevention, prognostic issues
- Treatment related – modalities, adverse effects, accessibility
Health Care Professionals (e.g. GPs, Hospital staff, Facility carers, undergraduate and postgraduate students)
- Clinical assessment and management issues
- Care plan development
- Medication and psychosocial matters
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(the referral should specify that the person is being referred for Older Persons Mental Health Service)
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Who do we see?
- Older adults (over 50yrs for Indigenous & 65yrs for Non-Indigenous persons) who have:
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- a first presentation of severe forms of certain mental disorders e.g. Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Episode or Bipolar Disorder
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- dementia complicated by severe and persisting behavioural disorder or severe mental disorders such as depression or psychosis
OR
- a mental disorder complicated by the onset of severe cognitive impairment, complex medical illness or frailty
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- We can only see people who have agreed to be seen by us unless authorised to do so by the Mental Health or Guardianship Acts
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- üIf you are unsure if someone is appropriate for referral to us please feel free to call us to discuss the case
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Emergency Contacts
- Acute Care Team - +61 7 4050 3100 b/h or +61 7 4050 6333 a/h
- Your local Mental Health Service
- Local Hospital’s Emergency Department
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Who can refer to us?
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Medical Practitioners
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Aged Care Assessment Teams
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Mental Health Services
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Families – via General Practitioners
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Other agencies (e.g. Aged Care Facilities, Aged Care Services, NGOs) - must have General Practitioner involvement
Click on the relvant link below to access our Older Persons Mental Health Service Referral Form in MS Word or PDF Form:
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Where do we work?
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The OPMHS team is based at the Cairns Base Hospital and provides clinical services in client homes, Residential Aged Care Facilities and District Hospitals
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We also have a clinician based on the Atherton Tablelands
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We provide a service to the Cairns Metropolitan Area, Atherton Tablelands, Innisfail/Tully/Cardwell and Mossman/Port Douglas
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We are also available for telephonic support to other areas within the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service District and the Cape York and Torres Strait Health Service Districts
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What does it cost?
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How can we be reached?
| Cairns and Tablelands |
1A Water Street
Cairns Qld 4870 |
Ph: +61 7 422 63543
Fax: +61 7 422 63546 |
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Who else can help?
Mental Health Services
The integrated mental health services of the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service District provide comprehensive mental health services across the health service district.
Cairns: +61 7 4050 3100
Mareeba: +61 7 4092 5930
Atherton: +61 7 4091 0213
Innisfail: +61 7 4061 5444
Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT)
This team is for the frail Aged with multiple or complex care needs. It is the access point for the Commonwealth programs of Aged Care including:
Office Hours: 08:30 – 16:30
Ph: +61 7 4050 6446
Fax: +61 7 4050 6598
Cairns HACC Assessment Team
For eligibility and access to Home and Community Care Services in the Cairns region
Office Hours: 08:00 – 17:00
Ph: +61 7 4046 8533
Fax: +61 7 4051 3816
Commonwealth Care Link
Provides information on all services
Ph: 1800 052 222
Commonwealth Carer Respite
Information and access to support services for carers
Ph: 1800 059 059
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