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Mental Health of Older People | South Canterbury
Mental Health Service
Today
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Description
Specialist community and inpatient service for older people presenting with mental illness.
Fees and Charges Categorisation
Free
Hours
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
| Mon – Fri | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
|---|
An Older Person's Mental Health Nurse is available Monday - Friday 8.00am - 4.30pm, excluding public holidays.
Crisis assistance is provided outside these hours by the Crisis Team | South Canterbury. Call 0800 277 997.
Public Holidays: Closed Waitangi Day (6 Feb), Good Friday (3 Apr), Easter Sunday (5 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr), ANZAC Day (observed) (27 Apr), King's Birthday (1 Jun), Matariki (10 Jul), Labour Day (26 Oct).
Christmas: Open 22 Dec — 24 Dec. Closed 25 Dec — 28 Dec. Open 29 Dec — 31 Dec. Closed 1 Jan — 4 Jan. Open 5 Jan — 9 Jan.
Languages Spoken
English
Programmes
The Older Person's Mental Health Nurse is the initial point of contact. Following an initial triage of referrals, arrangements are made for the assessment process at a suitable venue that is most convenient for the patient and family/whānau. Following an initial comprehensive assessment, a treatment plan is generated to determine the best next step to assist the older person and family/whānau. Treatment plans can range in the following manner: Arranging further appropriate investigations, Advice / recommendations to the patient and/or referrer about further management, Arranging an outpatient appointment with the Consultant Psychiatrist for Older Persons Mental Health, Referral on to the Needs Assessment Service and / or support services in the community e.g. Alzheimer’s South Canterbury Support the initiation of case management where the patient receives ongoing follow up.
The Older Person's Mental Health Nurse is the initial point of contact. Following an initial triage of referrals, arrangements are made for the assessment process at a suitable venue that is most convenient for the patient and family/whānau. Following an initial comprehensive assessment, a treatment plan is generated to determine the best next step to assist the older person and family/whānau. Treatment plans can range in the following manner: Arranging further appropriate investigations, Advice / recommendations to the patient and/or referrer about further management, Arranging an outpatient appointment with the Consultant Psychiatrist for Older Persons Mental Health, Referral on to the Needs Assessment Service and / or support services in the community e.g. Alzheimer’s South Canterbury Support the initiation of case management where the patient receives ongoing follow up.
- Programme Areas
Mental health
- Programme Type
Mental health assessment and treatment
- 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.
- Phone 027 646 4463 or Email
- Work hours: Monday to Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
- After hours: Crisis Team 0800 277 997
- Located at Kensington Centre, 7 Queen Street, Parkside Timaru
Description
The Older Person's Mental Health Nurse is the initial point of contact. Following an initial triage of referrals, arrangements are made for the assessment process at a suitable venue that is most convenient for the patient and family/whānau.
Following an initial comprehensive assessment, a treatment plan is generated to determine the best next step to assist the older person and family/whānau. Treatment plans can range in the following manner:
- Arranging further appropriate investigations,
- Advice / recommendations to the patient and/or referrer about further management,
- Arranging an outpatient appointment with the Consultant Psychiatrist for Older Persons Mental Health,
- Referral on to the Needs Assessment Service and / or support services in the community e.g. Alzheimer’s South Canterbury
- Support the initiation of case management where the patient receives ongoing follow up.
The decision to admit the patient to the Kensington Centre at Timaru Hospital rests with the Consultant Psychiatrist for Older Persons Mental Health 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.
The decision to admit the patient to the Kensington Centre at Timaru Hospital rests with the Consultant Psychiatrist for Older Persons Mental Health 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.
- Programme Areas
Mental health
- Programme Type
Hospital inpatient unit
- 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.
- Phone 027 646 4463 or Email
- Work hours: Monday to Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
- After hours: Crisis Team 0800 277 997
- Located at Kensington Centre, 7 Queen Street, Parkside Timaru
Description
The decision to admit the patient to the Kensington Centre at Timaru Hospital rests with the Consultant Psychiatrist for Older Persons Mental Health 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.
Additional Details
Face to face / Kanohi ki te Kanohi
Website
Contact Details
Timaru Hospital
South Canterbury
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
-
Phone
0800 277 997
Email
Website
A,T&R Ward
Timaru Hospital
Queen Street, Parkside
Timaru 7910
Street Address
A,T&R Ward
Timaru Hospital
Queen Street, Parkside
Timaru 7910
Postal Address
Private Bag 911
Queen Street
Timaru
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This page was last updated at 3:10PM on November 27, 2025. This information is reviewed and edited by Mental Health of Older People | South Canterbury.