Acute Inpatient Services

Acute Inpatient Services recognises that the admission of a family member for inpatient care may be a stressful time for others in the family. We hope the information provided here will be helpful in answering your questions.

Somers Annex Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit is a secure area for newly admitted patients who need close observation and behavioural control. Patients admitted to this unit are typically transferred to the less restrictive Somers Ward as soon as their mental state allows.

Somers Ward Acute Admission Unit is a short-term psychiatric care unit in an open environment. Patients of all ages and both sexes who require observation, assessment and treatment may be admitted. Shortly after admission, each patient is assigned a Primary Nurse and an Associate Nurse who will be responsible for their daily care. These are the people to contact with any questions you may have about your relative’s care.

They are part of the patient’s Multidisciplinary Care Team, along with the Resident Doctor, Clinical Psychologist, Mental Welfare Officers (MWO), Psychiatric Social Worker as well as Vocational Rehab and Occupational and Recreational Therapists. The team is headed by the patient’s Consultant Psychiatrist. It will be helpful to make note of the names of all team members.

Hospital policies for Somers Annex and Somers Ward include:

• Visitors are restricted to two (2) at a time.
• No children under 16 are allowed on Somers Annex. No children under 12 are permitted on Somers Ward except by prior arrangement with ward staff.
• During admission, and in the patient’s presence, a nurse will go through the patient’s belongings and complete a list of property and valuables. We strongly advise that valuables such as jewelry and large sums of money be taken by relatives for safekeeping. If the patient decides to retain money or other valuables, they do so at their own risk.
• No alcohol or drugs are allowed in the ward or annex.
• Sharp instruments and other potentially harmful items such as knives, razor blades, or glass objects are not allowed.
• Smoking is permitted only in the designated area.
• Radios and CD players can be disruptive to other patients. Only electronic devises such as MP3 players with headphones are allowed.
• Somers Ward only – cellphones and laptops can be used at staff’s discretion, depending on the client’s mental state. The patient is responsible for the safety and security of these items and will not be compensated if they are lost.