Northside Clinic
Contents Overview Treatments Inpatient Services Day Programs The Clinic What are the Costs? How to Get Started The Northside Group of Clinics How to Find Us
Overview At some point in their lives, as many as one-in-five people will experience a mental health disorder. Even though the stigma that once surrounded having a mental health disorder has been greatly reduced, many people still feel embarrassed or see it as a sign of weakness and do not seek help straight away. However, mental health disorders have recognisable symptoms and are manageable just like any other illness. There is also substantial evidence to show that the right treatments can do much to reduce or even eliminate someone s symptoms. Northside Clinic offers inpatient and day programs for people with a range of mental health disorders including: mood and anxiety disorders, psychosis (ie schizophrenia), personality and adjustment disorders, drug and alcohol addictions, and eating disorders. The first step for you and your loved ones is acceptance that you need professional help to improve the quality and enjoyment of your life. It s a courageous step to come in, or come back in, and our experienced, non-judgmental staff will do a full assessment and provide a tailored treatment program that best suits your individual needs. Our treatments usually include a combination of: group therapy, individual therapy (such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), learning new coping strategies, lifestyle changes (including not using alcohol and recreational drugs), and/or medications if required. Our 92-bed hospital is located in leafy Greenwich on the lower north shore of Sydney, only 7km from the CBD. Our individual and group therapy treatments are based on the most up-to-date psychiatric research and our clinic is widely regarded as a centre of excellence. We are also a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Sydney. Our clinically sound and innovative programs are provided in a warm, supportive environment by our dedicated team of mental health professionals.
Treatments Northside Clinic offers a holistic approach to treatment with a focus on healing the mind, body and soul. Our inpatient and day programs are designed and led by our multidisciplinary team of health professionals who assist groups to work together in an atmosphere of trust and respect. We believe you should be fully involved in your recovery process, so each aspect of your treatment is discussed with you and/or your loved ones at length. Individual and group therapy sessions use a combination of the following evidence-based techniques shown to be effective in clinical trials: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) focuses on helping people to recognise unhelpful thoughts and develop strategies to cope more effectively by identifying alternative ways of seeing oneself, one s problems and the world. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) aims to help people to understand their problems and be able to express their feelings about them including both painful and pleasant feelings. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) uses acceptance, mindfulness and commitment strategies, together with behavioural change to make people more resilient to psychological stresses. Mindfulness is an ancient practice found in a wide range of Eastern philosophies that involves consciously bringing awareness to your current situation and being more open and receptive to what is happening around you. Medications may be used to target the underlying changes in brain function; helping to alleviate the symptoms of depression, psychosis etc and preventing their recurrence. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is sometimes needed when other treatments such as counselling and medications are not effective. ECT is an essential and effective tool, which is recognised by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and other similar organisations overseas. If your doctor recommends this treatment, it will be discussed with you and your loved ones in detail and you will be given an information pack to enable you to make an informed decision.
Inpatient Services We all know that the human body is susceptible to illnesses such as a cold or flu and that if the symptoms are severe enough they may need medical attention to restore health. Similarly, feelings of sadness, anxiety, worry, irritability or sleep problems are common to most people. However, when these feelings become very intense, last for a long period and/ or begin to interfere with our daily activities it can be a sign of a mental illness needing professional help either within the clinic environment or as part of a day program. Northside Clinic has four specialised treatment units: 1. General Mental Health Disorders This unit focuses on general mental health disorders including anxiety, personality and adjustment disorders, psychosis and schizophrenia and helps patients to navigate the mental health care treatment pathway, often for the first time. The General Mental Health Disorders Unit has the only mental health Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in NSW. This unit provides a safe environment for patients requiring intensive treatment and/or increased observation during the acute phase of their illness. 2. Mood Disorders Depression is much more than just a low mood; it is a serious illness that is common in today s stressful and complex society. Depression can occur for a number of reasons such as a disruption of the brain s chemistry and/or when we experience challenging life situations such as recent losses or interpersonal conflicts. Whatever the cause, depression is a very real medical condition. It is also experienced by people with Bipolar Disorder in which a person fluctuates between high mood (mania) and low mood (depression) for varying periods of time. The extreme mood swings may or may not be related to what is happening in their lives. The Mood Disorders Unit at Northside Clinic was the first of its kind in Australia and is still a leader in the quality of care provided. Most patients coming into this unit have medical problems that require careful observation and assessment before a diagnosis can be made. Patients are often referred to the Clinic because they have not responded to other treatments. ECT is effective for treatment-resistant mood disorders and group therapy sessions, employing a variety of psychological methods, help patients to recognise the factors contributing to their depression and/or other disorders.
3. Drug & Alcohol Addictions For some, it begins as innocently as social drinking with friends or a way to cope with the pressures of work. For others it might be a gradual increase in their use of prescription or recreational drugs. Whatever the cause or substance, drug and/or alcohol dependency is a disease that damages your emotional, physical and spiritual health. As time goes on, instead of helping you to cope it starts destroying your life. However with the right professional help, you can not only recover from dependency but look forward to a brighter future. Our specialist drug and alcohol unit at Northside Clinic (and also at Northside West) offers a recognised and well-respected three-week intensive inpatient program. Our abstinence-based programs are similar to programs run by Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. If needed, detoxification can be achieved safely under the supervision of our medical staff, using drugs to lessen the effects of withdrawal. The inpatient group therapy sessions, in which you work on issues such as dealing with cravings, are an important part of the rehabilitation process. Patients also make a commitment to attend a day program following discharge. This aims to bridge the gap between the inpatient unit and going home by providing skills and support so you are not as susceptible to triggering the same cycle again (see Day Programs). 4. Eating Disorders Eating disorders are far more complex than just unhealthy eating and weight; they involve extreme disturbances in eating behaviour and attitudes about your weight and body image. Food is used as a way of dealing with uncomfortable or painful emotions and obsessions over food and weight start to dominate every aspect of your life. The longer an eating disorder remains undiagnosed and untreated, the harder it is on your body and the more difficult it is to overcome. Northside Clinic has been successfully treating eating disorders for more than 25 years and is now the largest private eating disorders unit in Australia. Our unit is led by experts in the field who use a combination of psychotherapy, nutritional counselling, exercise and group support to help ensure a full and lasting recovery. If you are still studying, it is possible to be assisted by a dietician and a teacher who visit regularly to encourage school and university students to continue their studies whilst in hospital. Patients are also encouraged to participate in a day program for as long as they need support and encouragement to change their thought patterns and behaviours about eating.
Day Programs The day programs offered at Northside Clinic are an essential part of your journey of recovery from a mental health disorder. Our day programs are beneficial if your referring clinician recommends being part of a supportive group psychotherapy program, where people help each other by sharing experiences and you can see that you are not alone. If you have been an inpatient, our day programs can provide additional support while you continue to work on any skills you learnt in hospital with the aim of breaking the cycle of relapse and the need for re-hospitalisation. Our well-respected programs deal with a wide range of issues including: Anxiety, Mood disorders, Drug and alcohol addictions, and Eating disorders. You will learn how to manage your thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a healthy way so you can develop a new understanding of self and how you can improve your own life. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy as well as other techniques, such acceptance and mindfulness, are important elements of our day programs. Some of our programs are for a specified length of time to work on particular skills and issues, while others, such as the Supportive Program, deal with the emotional side of your recovery and provide support for daily living on an ongoing basis. You will experience personal growth as you progress through the stages of the various programs and this can be very rewarding. However new issues may also arise so our day programs are very flexible in their design allowing you to feel supported at every step of your journey. You will have regular assessments and the skills therapist will inform your referring clinician and/or loved ones of your progress.
The Clinic Northside Clinic offers a combination of the very best care, treatment and customer service in a calm and therapeutic environment all aimed at making your stay as comfortable as possible. Our Client Relations Service was created to provide you with a more personalised admission process and a point of contact during your stay to help reduce any anxiety associated with coming into hospital. Our friendly client relations team can also help with any needs you may have such as booking you a massage (on a fee-for-service basis) and explaining the benefits of the life-enhancing products in the display cabinet. An internet lounge including printing facility (on a fee-forservice basis) is located on the ground floor. The café-style dining room opens onto a courtyard and offers a wide selection of nutritionally balanced meals including some lighter, healthier meal options. A dietician assists in the development of all menus including those for people with special dietary requirements and those being treated for Eating Disorders. We provide an extended breakfast session so you will have ample time to exercise and/or prepare for the day. Subsidised visitors meals are also available. Café Northside, located near the entrance to the clinic, offers an alternative dining experience and the ideal place to meet with family and friends in an informal setting during the week. The social program includes something for everyone, whether it s taking in a current release movie, joining in a craft group such as card making or going to Friday Afternoon Live with live music and refreshments. You may like to have family and friends join you for a meal in the dining room including the Sunday roast. On a regular basis there are family BBQs and high teas with petit fours and finger sandwiches. The fully equipped gymnasium offers gentle stretch classes or patients may like to use the equipment for a more vigorous workout. In addition to supervised gym sessions, Northside Active includes complimentary yoga classes. Improved carer support is offered through our Carer Support Groups in some of our units. Northside Clinic is also committed to involving carers in your treatment as long as we have your consent to disclose personal information to them (see the Carer s Guide).
What are the Costs? It is very important that you are properly informed of the financial details of your treatment program prior to your admission to hospital. If you have been a member of a private health fund for more than eight weeks and your policy has no psychiatric exclusions, you will generally be covered for the cost of inpatient and day programs. We recommend that clients check the level and type of cover their health fund offers for treatment and accommodation in private or shared rooms. There may also be some costs that are not covered by your health fund such as screening pathology, x-ray, pharmacy and incidentals. For these items and also for clients who are not privately insured, our staff will be happy to discuss our costs and payment policy with you. How to Get Started Admission to our hospital is always on a voluntary basis, with patients understanding and accepting the need to actively participate in their own recovery process. A referral from your psychiatrist and/or GP is needed for all inpatient and day programs. Our EasyAccess admissions service call 02 9433 3555 is staffed by experienced clinicians who speak to every patient prior to their admission. They will ask for a brief history and go through a checklist of items, including what to bring, before providing an assessment of how we can best serve your needs. You can be assured that we will respect your privacy and confidentiality by not discussing your treatment plan, progress and/or history with anyone without your express permission. On admission, you will be greeted by a member of our client relations team who will accompany you to your unit and introduce you to the clinical staff. We value your feedback and our client relations staff are also available to assist you with any queries you may have during your stay with us. We can even arrange transport when it is time to go home. We look forward to welcoming you to Northside Clinic.
The Northside Group of Clinics Northside Clinic in Greenwich was the first Clinic to be established in The Northside Group, which also includes Northside Cremorne and Northside West in Wentworthville. We are owned by Ramsay Health Care Australia s premier provider of private mental health care and embrace the culture of the Ramsay Way. This is embodied in the pride we take in the quality of our staff, our excellent relationships with referring clinicians and our commitment to continually improving all aspects of our care and service for patients. The Northside Group of Clinics provides inpatient services for up to 170 patients at any one time. Our hospitals share clinical expertise and services so you can be assured of a high level of care and treatment in all three locations.
How to Find Us Northside Clinic 2 Greenwich Road Greenwich NSW 2065 ph: 02 9433 3555 - fax: 02 9433 3599 www.thenorthsidegroup.com.au