Mental Health Admissions
Everything you need to know about inpatient and day patient mental health admissions to Toronto Private Hospital.
Inpatient Admissions
As an inpatient, it is important that you are familiar with our processes and information provided. There are specific tasks you need to attend to so that your stay runs smoothly.
Mental illness can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Many of us feel sad or moody from time to time, however individuals experiencing severe or prolonged symptoms of depression, anxiety or related disorders that last more than a week and which interferes with the ability to function on a daily basis, should consult a Doctor.
Toronto Private Hospital provides a range of inpatient and day programs to help you manage your condition.
Woodlands Mental Health Unit is a 35 bed, voluntary mental health unit ideally situated to capture the tranquil view and setting provided by Lake Macquarie. The health care teams are led by well known and experienced psychiatrists, Dr Stuart Saker, Dr Vasantha Pothala, Dr Arvind Kendurkar, Dr Russell Davies, Dr Sally Lambert and Dr Subhra Bhattacharya.
The Woodlands Mental Health Unit is the only private facility in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region to offer a private addiction clinic focussing on alcohol and drug addictions. Our unit treats all adult mental health conditions with the exception of eating disorders.
How do I get admitted?
Patients wishing for an admission to Woodlands Mental Health Unit will require a referral from their GP. For further information call our Mental Health Intake Officer on 0400 504 447.
Our Admissions and Assessment team will discuss your suitability and eligibility for admission. We will confirm your admission date and allocate a Psychiatrist if you don’t already have a treating Psychiatrist at the Hospital. This Psychiatrist will be responsible for overseeing your treatment.
Costs and Insurance Cover
Our Admissions and Assessment team will contact your insurer (health fund, Workers Compensation insurer or other) to confirm exactly what costs will be covered, and what out-of-pocket expenses are to be paid.
If you have an excess or co-payment with your health insurance, you will be required to pay this at the time of admission.
Self-funded patients will be required to pay at the time of admission. Generally we ask for 10 days up front plus Doctor fees.
Please contact our Admissions and Assessment team on 1800 707 581 who will arrange for an estimate of expenses to be provided.
For further information, please refer to:
What do I bring to hospital?
Please bring the following items with you to hospital:
- Letter of referral from your treating Doctor or Specialist, unless this has already been sent to the hospital
- All medications you are currently prescribed and any repeat prescriptions
- Medicare and private health insurance cards
- Health care cards and pharmacy safety net details
- Casual comfortable day clothes
- Comfortable footwear
- Clothing and footwear suitable for exercise and walks
- Nightwear (for inpatients)
- Personal toiletries
For all electrical appliances (if essential), please advise hospital staff on arrival as they must be tested by the hospital Maintenance Department for safety reasons.
Our Admissions and Assessment Coordinator will advise you of any other requirements, prior to admission.
On Arrival
On the day of your admission, ensure you arrive at the hospital at the time designated by the Admissions and Assessment Coordinator. On arrival, please register at Reception so our Administration staff can confirm your personal details, sign the hospital paperwork and admission forms.
Our Nursing staff will then show you to your room, and an orientation of the hospital will be provided.
The hospital doesn't accept responsibility for security of your possessions, including jewellery, watches and money. We ask that you arrange for valuables to be taken home.
As an inpatient, you are not permitted to operate a motor vehicle while undergoing treatment. You should arrange for someone to drive you to hospital. If you drive your own car, please arrange for the vehicle to be removed when you have been admitted. Long term parking is not available.
When admitted, you will be under the care of a treating Psychiatrist who will see you throughout your admission. An experienced team of Nursing and Allied Health professionals will also support you.
All patients have a comprehensive psychiatric, medical and nursing assessment. Assessments assist us to formulate diagnostic and treatment plans to get the best individual patient outcome.
After an assessment, you will join one or more of our inpatient therapy programs.
Your Room and Meals
Please refer to the Facilities and Meals sections for more information about our private rooms and in-house meals.
Patient Feedback
We value your feedback at Toronto Private Hospital. Whether you want to pass on a compliment or provide feedback to help improve our service, we encourage you to:
- Speak with your Nurse
- Ask to speak with the Unit Manager
- Complete our post-discharge mental health Patient Experience Survey (this will be emailed to you)
For more information, refer to Your Rights.
Discharge
Our discharge planning starts when you arrive at hospital. This helps to discuss and plan for your needs, after your hospital stay.
We ask that you vacate your room by 10:00am, so that we can prepare for our next patient. You may stay and complete the inpatient group therapy programs before going home.
Please check with your Nurse before leaving to collect your medications and prescriptions, and to confirm any follow up appointments you may have. Upon discharge, you will have the option of continued care with the same Psychiatrist.
Getting Home
If you are admitted to hospital, you are not permitted to operate a motor vehicle or leave your vehicle onsite. Please make arrangements with a family member or your carer, and discuss this with hospital staff prior to discharge.
Special arrangements can be made for DVA patients to get you home safely after your hospital stay.
Day Patient Admissions
We offer a range of therapeutic programs to support patients. Our day patient programs can be used as an alternative to admission, or as part of a relapse prevent plan to support discharge from hospital.
How do I get admitted?
Ask your Doctor or Specialist to refer you to Toronto Private Hospital.
If you are not currently a patient at our hospital, you require an outpatient appointment where a Psychiatrist will conduct an assessment and determine the best program to treat your condition.
If you are currently a patient at our hospital, please discuss referral to a program with your treating Psychiatrist.
Your Psychiatrist will provide a referral to Toronto Therapies Service, who will contact you for a health fund check and advise you if any out-of-pocket expenses apply. They will also confirm you program start date.
Costs and Insurance Cover
Our Administration staff will contact you for a health fund check.
If you have an excess or co-payment with your health insurance, you will be required to pay at the time of admission for the first session.
Self-funded patients will be required to for the complete program cost at the time of admission for the first session.
For further assistance, please phone 02 4956 0682.
Additional information:
What do I bring to hospital?
Please bring the following items with you to hospital:
- Any medications that I may need to take during the course of the group program session.
- Medicare and private health insurance cards.
- Pen and a notebook.
- Best to wear casual comfortable clothing.
- If your group program has an exercise component please ensure you have appropriate footwear.
Our program staff will advise you of any other requirements, prior to your attendance.
On Arrival
On the day of admission for attendance at the day program please ensure you arrive at the hospital 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the session.
On arrival, please register at Reception so our Administration staff can confirm your personal details complete your admission forms.
Free parking is available onsite for patients attending our day programs.
You will be required to see your treating Psychiatrist at regular intervals during your attendance for the duration of the day program.
Prior to admission, you may receive a self-assessment questionnaire to provide our Group Therapists with some additional information about your history and condition, to assist with the care we provide to you.
Your Meals
If you attend a day program. the hospital will provide you morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea prepared in our onsite hospital kitchen.
If you attend a half day or evening program, morning tea, lunch or afternoon team will be served and according to the group duration.
Should you have special dietary requirements please advise the Toronto Therapies Service staff and your Group Therapist.
Patient Feedback
We value your feedback at Toronto Private Hospital. Whether you want to pass on a compliment or provide feedback to help improve our service, we encourage you to:
- Speak with your Group Therapist
- Ask to speak with the Toronto Private Hospital Group Therapy Program Manager
- Complete our post-discharge Patient Experience Survey (this will be emailed to you)
For more information, refer to Your Rights.
Discharge
At the completion of each session you will be discharged from hospital.
Your Therapist may provide recommendations to your treating Psychiatrist about other programs that may be beneficial to support your recovery at the completion of the program.
Getting Home
Special arrangements can be made for DVA patients to get you home safely after attending your program.
Relapse
If you are struggling to cope, contact your treating Psychiatrist or call our Admissions and Assessment team on 0400 504 447 to discuss help appropriate to you. If it is an emergency or you feel unsafe, call 000 or present to your nearest Emergency Department.