Information for families, carers and support people
Having a family member or friend in hospital and experiencing mental ill-health can be challenging for everyone involved.
Staying in touch
It is important to involve each person’s support network in their mental health recovery journey. We aim to provide you with support in your role while caring for your loved one.
Before you visit
- Find out where we are, your transport and parking options - Before you arrive
- Find out about our facilities and what’s around us
- Find out how to get help if you have individual needs such as an interpreter
There are two units called Ground Floor and First Floor.
How we communicate with you
Soon after a person’s admission to hospital, you can expect to be contacted by staff to introduce themselves, answer questions you may have and find out more about what has been happening.
Staff will plan with you how and when they will contact you.
As part of the recovery process, we usually organise a family meeting during an individual’s stay, often when planning discharge (going home). This is an opportunity to ask questions about progress and follow-up plans after being in the hospital.
Peer support
Carer Peer Workers have experience caring for a loved one experiencing mental health challenges. They can provide emotional support and resources to help you during this time. Please speak to a member of staff to be referred to a carer peer worker
Going home
Before your family member is discharged home, you will receive a phone call to discuss progress and plans for discharge. Things that may be discussed include: date of discharge, how your person is getting home/transport, what follow up arrangements have been put in place and contact numbers for ongoing support. Read more about going home and further resources available.
FAQs for famililes and carers
Yes, your loved one will be able to take leave from the unit during their stay. Most people don’t have leave when they first arrive at hospital. This gives us time to assess the person’s mental and physical health to make sure that when they have leave, they will remain safe.
Usually, the doctor will give individuals escorted leave first. This means they must go with staff or a person chosen by their doctor.
When the doctor feels it is safe for the patient to leave the ward on their own, they will grant them unescorted leave. The individual can then have some time away from the ward by themselves for the allocated time to do things that are meaningful to them. Usually, it will be for a short amount of time which will gradually increase with more time off the ward until they are discharged.
If you are accompanying an individual on their leave, you should touch base with staff before leaving the unit and afterwards to let us know how the leave went.
Leave is sometimes also impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks. Please speak to the treating doctor if you have a question about your family member’s leave status.
Families and carers can request to speak with the treating doctors during an admission to provide information or request an update about their family member or loved one. It is best to call during business hours and request the doctor to return your call.
It is important to include families and/or partners in care planning and we make every effort to do so. However, sometimes an individual may request that the team not communicate information to do with their treatment. Your family member has the right to confidentiality and we make every attempt to respect their wishes. Making decisions about these matters is complex and based on each circumstance.
You can still get support from a Carer Peer Worker and provide the team with information that you feel is important for your family member’s care.
To speak to a member of staff you can contact: Ground Floor ph: 90763914 First Floor ph: 9076 3925.
The usual stay on the ward is between 10-14 days, but this varies significantly and will depend on an individual’s progress.
Family, friends and support persons are welcome to visit . Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting hours and rules are constantly changing. Please speak to a member of staff for information about the current situation. During your visit, you need to wear a surgical or N95 mask and maintain social distancing requirements.
Please do not bring any valuables to the unit. We cannot take responsibility for valuable items kept by patients not secured in the staff station.
You are welcome to bring any clothing needed.
The Alfred aims to create a safe environment for everyone. Drugs, alcohol and smoking are not permitted on the units. Lighters and cigarettes cannot be brought onto the ward. They must be kept in lockers outside the ward.
To maintain everyone’s safety, some items are not allowed on the unit. These include but are not limited to:
- scissors;
- knives;
- aerosols
- razors
- electronic cords
- glassware; and
- lighters and matches
Please speak to staff if you are unsure if an item is permitted.
You can call these numbers and ask to speak with them:
Ground floor Unit: 9076 3914
First floor Unit: 9076 3925
There are also public phones available for your family member to make and receive calls:
Ground floor Unit: 9076 5370
First floor Unit: 9076 5706
If your family member has a mobile phone with them, you are welcome to contact them directly.
Families, carers and supporters can provide information to members of the team. Carer and Family Peer Workers assist in providing optimal care for loved ones.
You can speak to a member of your person’s treating team if you have any concerns.