About Perth Clinic
Referrals
Help is always available - 24 hours a day. The first step is always to consult with your General Practitioner. It is important to have a complete assessment. It is easy for your GP to refer to Perth Clinic with immediate attention available for urgent referrals. All patients need to be referred to a psychiatrist for assessment and referral to the clinic. The clinic helps by offering two ways to be assessed by a psychiatrist.
24 hours Acute Service
This emergency service is for patients requiring urgent hospital admission. Following referral from your GP, you will be asked to come to the clinic where you will be seen and admitted by the psychiatrist that is on call for the day.
Non-urgent Referrals
For patients that require to be seen by a psychiatrist but it is not urgent, the clinic can arrange an appointment with the psychiatrists that are on site in our medical suites. These appointments can usually be arranged within a day or two.
Contact for referral by a GP is through the Nurse Manager on 089481 4888 , the nurse manager will triage all referrals. It is important that you check with your private health insurance to make sure that you are covered for treatment.
If you would like advice about wither the hospital has something to offer either you or your relative please contact our staff at the above number and ask to speak to the nurse manager.
How do I get referred?
Referral into Perth Clinic is an easy process.
Perth Clinic offers patients the option of emergency access or a planned admission. In the first instance, immediate admission can be arranged by your G.P. calling Perth Clinic on the 24 hour line.
On arrival at Perth Clinic, patients are assessed by a psychiatrist who will begin to plan the treatment strategy.
Non-urgent referrals can also be arranged through Perth Clinic with one of our accredited psychiatrists who can conduct a psychiatric assessment in their rooms prior to deciding to admit the patient. They also begin to consider treatment options for the patient.
Not all patients will need to be admitted to Perth Clinic as an in-patient. All of our treatment programs can be attended as an outpatient or day patient without compromising outcomes. In fact, many programs are more effective if attended as a day-patient.
In patient or Out-patient
Often patients may begin their treatment with an admission to Perth Clinic. However, we endeavour to quickly return the person to their home environment whilst continuing therapy as an outpatient. Some patients decide to receive all their therapy whilst remaining an outpatient.
For those patients who may have some difficulty in returning to their home environment, every possible avenue for encouraging community links and support is sought, and continued follow-up care is provided.
In-patient Stay
In-patients of Perth Clinic are surrounded by a host of skilled staff who help them become familiar with the surroundings, therapy streams and general system. Patients are expected to attend therapy groups daily and these are tailored to the patient's individual needs. Sometimes a specialist therapy program is suggested and a specialist staff will be involved.
At Perth Clinic, we believe that brief, therapy driven and structured admissions obtain the best outcomes for people. Planning for discharge commences soon after admission as people are encouraged to move to outpatient status as soon as possible to speed up their recovery.
Outpatient/day patient Attendance
Outpatients are offered the full range of treatment programs at Perth Clinic on a day patient basis. That means that the person can attend for the day of therapy, returning home for the evening. The number of days the person attends is dictated by the program and the individual treatment plan the psychiatrist has recommended.
Often, the patient is able to attend for a few days a week, providing some flexibility to arrange other life activities while still obtaining assistance.
Other patients may find the transition back to the home difficult, and so a number of planned outpatient appointments can help generalise new skills back to the normal daily environment.
What will happen during my stay at Perth Clinic?
Whether you are an in or out patient, there will be a treatment program suggested for you. This generally involves group therapy, with some individual sessions offered when necessary or appropriate.
Whilst a patient at Perth Clinic, you remain under the primary care of your psychiatrist, who will make the recommendations about which program will best suit your particular issues. Your psychiatrist will make regular appointments with you to ensure your progress and satisfaction with treatment, as well as addressing medicinal needs.
As an in-patient, a nurse will be assigned to you every shift. They will check on your progress daily and give you some individual time to discuss any relevant issues that arise during the day. A nurse will also administer your medications, and attend to any other special physical needs. A physician is also available when necessary, and will also examine you on arrival.
As an outpatient, you will attend group or individual therapy sessions with a therapist. On your arrival each morning, you will be asked to sign in prior to the session. You will be shown where to go and oriented to all the necessary amenities. Morning Tea and Lunch are provided for you.
Often patients may begin their treatment with an admission to Perth Clinic. However, we endeavour to quickly return the person to their home environment whilst continuing therapy as an outpatient. Some patients decide to receive all their therapy whilst remaining an outpatient.
For those patients who may have some difficulty in returning to their home environment, every possible avenue for encouraging community links and support is sought, and continued follow-up care is provided.