Mental Health for Elderly

This service is intended for patients over the age of 65 years. Most referrals will be initially assessed in their place of residence by a community mental health nurse, consultant or registrar. The team also includes a social worker, psychologist, and inpatient occupational therapist.

Inpatient

11 bed unit, located in Ward 30 at The Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre, Waikato Hospital.

Outpatient

Located at 214 Pembroke Street, Hamilton, Phone: (07) 839 8603, FAX: (07) 839 8737

Outpatient clinics, outlying:

• Thames Hospital, c/- Manaaki Centre, Corner of Mary and Rolleston Street, Thames
• Cambridge – Leamington Medical Centre, 127 Shakespeare Street, Cambridge
  

NB: Please note that patients for outlying clinics are booked at the Hamilton Outpatients Department

Crisis Service 

All patients over 65 years within a 30 kilometre radius of Hamilton requiring an urgent response between Monday – Friday 8am–4pm can be managed by this service. Alternatively or out of hours, contact the Adult Mental Health Service on: 0800 50 50 50.

Entry criteria

• All patients over 65 with a functional disorder.
• All Dementias with associated significant behavioural disorders.
  

Uncomplicated dementia patients with significant physical assessment requirements. Refer to Geriatric Service.

Acute confusional states (delirium). Refer to General Medicine or Geriatric Service.

Geographical boundaries and interfaces with Adult Mental Health Service and rural areas.

Tokoroa, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui

• Referrals for patients in the above areas should be directed to the nearest Adult Mental Health Service for initial screening and assessment.
• The Adult Mental Health Service will liaise with Mental Health Service for Older People when and where necessary, regarding management of these patients.
  

Referrals for patients in Thames, Coromandel, Whitianga, Whangamata and Waihi should be directed to MHSOP Hamilton.

Referrals 

Referrals are accepted from all sources, however we prefer the involvement of the GP using the guidelines for referrals as outlined in the Adult Mental Health Service referral page.

"All referrals are assessed on the content of information supplied and treated accordingly".

• URGENT REFERRALS: Contact by phone/person within 24 hours.
• SEMI-URGENT REFERRALS: Contact by phone/person within 72 hours.
• NON-URGENT/ROUTINE REFERRALS: Contact by phone/person within 1-2 weeks.
  

Address:

Mental Health Service for Older People
214 Pembroke Street
HAMILTON
Phone: (07) 839 8603
Fax: (07) 839 8737

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