The Acute Mental Health Unit
Overview
The Acute Mental Health Unit provides inpatient treatment for people who are in an acute phase of their mental illness. The aim of treatment is to reduce symptoms and enhance recovery.
Recovery is the journey toward a new and valued sense of identity, role and purpose outside the parameters of mental illness; and living well despite any limitations resulting from the illness, its treatment and personal and environmental conditions.
The staff at the Acute Mental Health Unit aim to provide care focused on a recovery based philosophy; this involves working collaboratively with consumers and carers whilst promoting an integrated model of recovery that is linked to the community.
The Acute Mental Health Unit offers consumers' access to a range of groups that offer education, information and recovery based discussions on topics such as coping with daily stressors, staying well at home and medication awareness sessions. Within the recovery based therapy program; leisure, relaxation groups, craft activities and gym and exercise sessions are also offered.
The unit has 36 beds which consist of two areas; one of which is the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit provides a short term, low stimulus environment and provides a high level of nursing intervention, which ensures that patients with more complex needs recieve the appropriate level of care and intervention.
Within the Acute Mental Health Unit, a mother and baby unit is available, providing facilities for relatives to stay. A Family Room has also been established for children to visit relatives who are inpatients.
The Acute Mental Health Unit also has Consumer Companions every week day to provide support to inpatients by utilising the concept of peer support. The Consumer Companion Program is based on the underlying philosophy of recovery and peer support.
A representative from the Community Visitor Program attends the Acute Mental Health Unit monthly to speak with consumers and to assist in them in addressing any concerns they may have about their treatment. Inpatients may also request an ad-hoc visit from a representative of this program and Acute Mental Health Unit staff can assist with these arrangements. Brochures and information packs about the Community Visitor Program are available in reception.
Our Health Team
The Acute Mental Health Unit employs a multi-disciplinary team which consists of:
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Psychiatrists
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Social Worker
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Occupational Therapist
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Mental Health nurses
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Indigenous mental Health Worker
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Access to physiotherapists, dieticians and a range of other support services can also be facilitated.
Visiting Hours
Friends and relatives are welcome to visit inpatients at the Acute Mental Health Unit between the hours of 2pm - 8pm. However, this will be at the discretion of the shift coordinator to ensure the safety and wellbeing for all consumers and visitors.
Referral Procedure
Via the Acute Care Team - Ph: +61 7 4799 9840
Contact Details
| Location |
The Townsville Hospital, 100 Angus Smith Drive.
Douglas QLD 4814.(Opposite the Emergency Department) |
| Postal Address |
IMB 49. PO Box 670, Townsville QLD 4810 |
| Telephone |
+61 7 4796 3000 |
| Facsimile |
+61 7 4796 3001 |
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