Mental Health of Older People - Inpatient Service

Programme Areas

Crisis / acute, Mental health

Programme Type

Acute services

Regions

South Canterbury

Age Groups

Older adult / Kaumātua

Referral Types

Self referral, GP, DHB clinical services

Referral Process

The patient can be referred by their GP, other Doctors within the hospital, rest home managers, NGO's, family or self referral. Patients or their family can self refer by calling 0800 277 997.

The decision to admit the patient to the hospital rests with the Consultant Psychogeriatrician or the On-call Psychiatrist, if the former is away or unavailable.  The admission decision follows the usual triage and comprehensive assessment that is done with every patient entering the Service.

Description

The admission site of the patient varies depending on the needs of the individual.  The ambulatory person could be admitted to the Kensington Centre in-patient unit while the frail, older person with high physical needs or parenteral food or fluids will be admitted to the main hospital.  This is determined case by case.  Beds are available on ATR for patients requiring intensive assessment of physical and mental health needs and/or treatment and planning of home based care packages.