Mental Health Services
At Maitland Private Hospital our team of professionals are committed to providing comprehensive assessment, treatment and support of people experiencing mental health issues. Located in New South Wales lower hunter region, our holistic approach to treatment is offered in a discreet, safe and supportive environment.
Don t suffer in silence One in five Australian adults experience mental illness each year. It can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life. The causes may be attributed to a complex mix of life events, social, geographic, cultural, family and socio-economic factors combined with an imbalance in brain chemistry either as a result of genetics or environmental factors. Mental illness can have an overwhelming affect on families, friendships, workplaces and communities. The responsibility of managing mental health rests with individuals, families, organisations, professional groups and services across the community. Support should be provided in a coordinated and integrated way to ensure that the needs of the individual are successfully met. The Mental Health Unit at Maitland Private Hospital can offer assistance during difficult times. The new 25 bed unit is situated within The Maitland Private Hospital Campus and offers patients comfortable facilities staffed by a team of highly qualified visiting medical officers, nurses and allied health professionals. Our holistic approach to treatment is offered in a safe and supportive environment. Patients may be treated in either an inpatient or day patient setting depending on their individual requirements.
Maitland Private Hospital has undertaken major redevelopments to increase services, improve facilities and build stronger frameworks to support general practitioners and their patients.
About our service Each patient is admitted under the care of a consultant psychiatrist whom they see throughout their admission. Patients are also supported by our team of allied health professionals and highly trained nurses. The Unit provides specialist treatment for people with a range of problems including depression, bipolar affective disorder, anxiety, drug and alcohol problems, schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses, personality disorders, post traumatic stress disorder and other related mental health issues. Our Team The Mental Health Unit is staffed by a team of highly skilled and experienced consultant psychiatrists supported by medical practitioners with a psychiatric care background, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and psychologists. Access to social workers, dieticians, physiotherapists and a range of other allied health professionals is also available through the hospital s general service. Specialist / consulting services are also available by referral from the treating doctor.
Accommodation & Facilities Maitland Private Hospital has undergone major redevelopments to refurbish patient accommodation, upgrade facilities and expand services across the board. The new Mental Health Unit offers modern single and shared accommodation with ensuite, access to communal lounge and dining facilities. Each room is tastefully furnished and equipped to provide patients with an environment that is conducive to their recovery: Television Telephone Desk & Internet Access Communal lounge Dining room Landscaped Gardens Patients may request a single room, but this is not always possible. Single rooms are allocated on a clinical needs basis. Although patient preference is considered, there is an additional cost associated with a single room which is not always covered by an individual s health fund. Modern ensuites
Treatment Programs The Unit offers general group programs and activities for all patients. These groups cover a wide range of topics giving patients a broad overview of strategies to use in their recovery. In addition, patients may attend specialised groups across a range of treated disorders including anxiety and depression management. These groups address individual issues and feelings. They are psycho-educational and have a cognitive behavioural approach. Where appropriate, psychotherapy is available to the individual which is one to one therapy focused on their individual issues. During your patient s stay Patients are expected to attend all programs provided by the Unit during the day in order to gain the maximum benefit from their admission. Discharge Planning Discharge planning starts early in the patient s admission to ensure they have the most appropriate follow up on discharge from hospital. A tailored plan to help with relapse prevention is also developed. Refurbished patient accommodation Newly refurbished wards and common areas
Day Programs Inpatients can be referred to our day patient programs by their treatment team following discharge from hospital. Patients wishing to access day programs without an inpatient admission require a doctor s referral and need to undergo an assessment with one of the Unit s consultant psychiatrists prior to commencing a program. Our programs have a continuous entry and run throughout the year. Programs include: Depression Management Program for individuals diagnosed with depression, based on a CBT framework. Anxiety Management Program assists individuals experiencing generalized anxiety symptoms, panic attacks and/or avoidance behaviours. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for individuals diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Relapse Prevention Program aimed at improving knowledge about mental illness while supporting the patient to implement skills to prevent relapse. MAPS for Bipolar Disorder is a psychoeducation program incorporating social rhythms theory to assist individuals with Bipolar Disorder. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for individuals diagnosed with depression focuses on addressing the areas of role transitions, complicated grief, interpersonal disputes and interpersonal sensitivity.
Dual Diagnosis Program for individuals who are recovering from depression and problematic drug and alcohol use. Creative Therapies aims to facilitate self expression, communication, self awareness and personal development through the use of a variety of art-based processes. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy assists individuals to develop skills in the areas of distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness. Each Therapy Unit Program aims to: Provide a supportive and structured alternative for patients, reducing the need for hospitalisation. Provide and increase the patient s repertoire of coping skills to enhance self-management and independence. Provide a wider social network and support system. Referral and Admissions Referrals can be made to accredited psychiatrists with admitting rights to Maitland Private Hospital or to the intake officer/nurse unit manager by fax on 02 4933 8883. You may also wish to contact the admissions officer / nurse unit manager on 02 4933 8400 to ascertain bed availability. On patient referral, the admissions officer / nurse unit manager will contact the patient to arrange an admission time and date. The referring doctor will be contacted with information should an admission be delayed or unable to proceed. Maitland Private Hospital s Mental Health Unit only accepts voluntary patients.
How much does it cost? As a general rule, patients with private hospital cover, WorkCover or DVA are insured for treatment in our programs. Patients do need to confirm their rebate entitlements with their fund prior to commencement. Those patients who are not privately insured may discuss hospital fees with the admissions officer / nurse unit manger. Prior to admission your patient will be informed of their health fund entitlements and any gap they may be required to pay. In WorkCover cases the referring general practitioner will be required to contact work cover and seek approval for the admission. Approval for the admission by work cover must be faxed to the unit before the client can be accepted for admission. Future Opportunities The unit welcomes enquiries from nurses, allied health professionals and other suitably trained workers in the field, regarding employment and research opportunities. Psychiatrists who wish to establish links with the unit are also encouraged to contact the unit.
Services available from Maitland Private Hospital include: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy General Psychiatric Disorders Mood & Anxiety Disorders Program Post Natal Disorders Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) Dialectical Behaviour Therapty (DBT) Models of Care In-patient care Day Programs Evening Programs Psycho-educational Group Program Maitland Private Hospital 175 Chisholm Road, East Maitland, NSW 2323 Tel: (02) 4933 8400 Fax: (02) 4933 8883 www.maitlandprivate.com.au