Adult Inpatient Mental Health

Patient information

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At our adult inpatient units (also called IPUs), we provide care to people aged 18-64 who live locally and need a hospital stay for their mental health needs. We are part of the Alfred Mental and Addiction Health service.

What we do

Located at The Alfred, we have 56 beds divided between two units called Ground Floor and First Floor IPU.  

There are two units on each floor.

One is called the High Dependency Unit (HDU) where people may stay when they require a higher level of support in a smaller, more contained environment.

There is also a Low Dependency Unit (LDU) which is a more open environment with additional communal space and a lower ratio of nursing staff.

We offer treatment and support across both the HDU and LDU on both floors.

Our team includes:

We adapt our ongoing treatment and care to meet your individual needs. Our care is inclusive and non-discriminatory.

Our treating team will work with you to provide the best available treatment for your mental and physical health. This will assist you in your recovery and help you to feel safe and involved in the process.

We support and promote care that is trauma-informed, purposeful, individual and recovery focussed. We encourage participation from you and your carer(s)/family in all aspects of your recovery and care. This includes assessment, treatment and recovery planning beyond your time in hospital.

Who we care for

We care for adults with a variety of immediate mental health and addiction needs that require a hospital-based stay. This stay aims to deliver a safe period of assessment and initial treatment for your mental health.

We support community-based care whenever possible and will work with you towards this goal.

What to expect

On admission, nursing staff will provide an orientation to the unit. They will arrange for the admitting doctor to meet you and begin your assessment.

We will work with your community GP, your chosen carers or family and other hospital staff as needed.

Your progress will be closely monitored and reviewed by the treating team.

We aim to maintain regular contact with you and your carer/family throughout your admission. We can arrange a meeting with your carer to answer questions, discuss treatment and consider plans for your return to the community and follow-up care.

Discharge (going home) is planned with you and your carer/family as soon as it is safely possible.

Follow-up care is different for each person. This may include referral to one of our community-based mental health care teams. If you are already connected with a community team they will contribute to discharge planning. We will also communicate with your GP or private psychiatrist (as appropriate) on discharge.

Commonly asked questions

How long will I stay?

Discharge (going home) depends on lots of different things, but the average stay on the ward is about 12 to 16 days. This could be shorter or longer and depends on your personal needs.

What are the visiting hours?

We welcome visitors on the ward when COVID-19 restrictions permit.

We encourage visitors to visit between 10.00am – 8.00pm in the low-dependency part of the ward.

When COVID-19 restrictions are in place, please check with the unit what the current requirements are.

Visiting hours are between 1.30pm – 7.00pm in the high dependency part of the ward and must be arranged before attending the unit.

Visiting outside of regular hours can be arranged by speaking to the nurse to facilitate planning with the rest of the treating team.

Can children visit on the ward?

If you have children under your care, please let your nurse know. This will allow us to facilitate care and their support their needs. You can arrange for your children to visit in our family-friendly visitor’s room. Children must remain under adult supervision whilst visiting.

What happens to my personal belongings?

You can store personal belongings (clothes, toiletries, books, etc.) in your room. There are also lockers available on the unit.

You can have other belongings brought in from home if you need them. You can also buy extra things that you may need (e.g. you can buy toiletries at the hospital pharmacy and magazines at the hospital newsagent).

We strongly encourage you not to bring valuable items onto the ward. Ideally, you should keep these items at home.

Please speak to nursing staff about access to a locker or to have valuables placed in the unit safe. The unit cannot take responsibility for items not secured in the ward safe.

Will I have access to my mobile phone and a computer?

Computers with internet access are available in the communal area for your use. Ask your nurse for help if needed.

You can use your mobile phone unless your psychiatrist has requested otherwise. If you have your mobile phone or camera on the ward, please do not take photographs, voice recordings or videos to respect everyone’s privacy.

Can I smoke?

Alfred Health is a smoke-free environment. Cigarettes, alcohol and illicit substances are not permitted anywhere on the ward.

We recognise everyone’s right to breathe clean air but also understand that quitting smoking can be challenging, particularly when experiencing mental ill-health. 

Our pharmacy team and doctors will ensure you can access nicotine replacement options that suit your needs. We want you to be comfortable and not experience withdrawal symptoms while in hospital. If you decide to quit smoking, we’ll offer you information, support and encouragement to maintain this beyond your stay in the hospital.

What is there to do on the ward?

There are group programs on the ward which offer a range of therapeutic activities. These vary depending on people’s needs and interests and include:

  • Coffee on the couch discussions
  • Recovery group
  • Relaxation group
  • Walking groups
  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Pet therapy

How to access this service

Referral from your GP

Your doctor can call us to organise for you to access this service.

What to bring

Every time you come

  • Medicare card
  • Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
  • Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
  • Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
  • List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
  • Glasses, hearing aid(s), walking frame

For an overnight (or longer) stay

  • Dressing gown and slippers for overnight and comfortable day clothes and shoes for moving around the unit
  • Personal hygiene items, such as shampoo, shaving cream, shaver, toothpaste and deodorant. We can supply these things if you are admitted unexpectedly
  • Quiet activities you enjoy, like a book or journal, an iPad/tablet with headphones for music, watching movies or listening to podcasts

Don’t bring (for an overnight or longer stay

  • Your handbag, wallet, purse or large amounts of cash
  • Valuables, such as jewellery or watches

Resources

All patient resources
The Alfred - Mental and Addiction Health Inpatient Unit
Essential information for consumers, families and friends about the Alfred Mental and Addiction Health Inpatient Unit
Alfred Health Carer Services
A service that provides advice and support for carers located in Melbourne's south
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
The IMHA supports people who are receiving compulsory mental health treatment to make decisions and have as much say as possible about their assessment, treatment and recovery.
Mental Health Australia
The peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector.
Mental Health First Aid
First aid information and courses teaching simple, practical first aid skills for helping those experiencing mental health problems.
Young Carers Network
The Young Carers Network (YCN) is a nationally coordinated online resource to raise young carer awareness, provide information, and direct young carers to appropriate pathways for support.
Sane Australia
An organisation helping all Australians affected by mental illness
Tandem
Representing family and friends supporting people living with mental health issues, Tandem provides information, advocacy, research and community awareness about caring for people experiencing mental ill-health.
Victorian Mental Health Awareness Council
The Victorian non-government organisation for people with lived experience of mental health or emotional issues.
Victorian Pride Centre
Mind Australia
A community mental health service supporting people experiencing mental health and wellbeing concerns.
Uniting
Community-based mental health support services located in Prahran.
Hearing Voices Vic
Voices Vic is a program led by people with a lived experience of mental ill health, which seeks to improve the lives of people who hear voices.
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