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Psychiatric And Mental Health Services Operational Policy
6. OPERATIONAL POLICIES
All specialist hospitals shall have a psychiatric department unit with resident psychiatrists. These units shall provide general psychiatric services e.g. outpatient
clinics, inpatient beds and hospital-based community psychiatric services.
The psychiatric unit department shall undertake the training for doctors and allied health staff in the ield of psychiatry and mental health. The department
unit also plays an advisory role to the director and the Medical Advisory Board of the hospital in all matters relating to the psychiatric service.
6.1 OUTPATIENT SERVICES
All psychiatric hospitals these include psychiatric departments in general hospital and the 4 psychiatric institutions must have outpatient services.
Requirements for outpatients’ services
6.1.1 Location
In specialist hospital settings, should be located within facilities that provide other specialist clinics. Stand alone outpatient
psychiatry services is not encouraged.
6.1.2 Operations
• Outpatient services should be operated during ofice
hours. •
Outpatient services should be made available daily on normal working days.
• Patients can either be referred from doctors, allied
health. professionals or others. Even self referral should be accepted.
All patients who present with a referral should be irst assessed by a triage personnel using agreed and accepted procedures. Triage should determine the
urgency of outpatient evaluation either immediately, early or given appointment within six weeks.
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Psychiatric And Mental Health Services Operational Policy
6.1.3 Objectives Of Psychiatry Outpatient Services
• To provide easily accessible psychiatric outpatient service.
• To improve with early detection and early treatment.
• To ensure that all new cases are appropriately assessed
by specialist to determine underlying illness and initiate biopsychosocial treatment.
• To provide continuing treatment for those who require
longer term follow up. •
To provide psychosocial interventions including counseling, psychotherapies, patient and family education.
6.1.4 Functions
• Triage for all referrals as per agreed format: urgent cases
seen immediately and non urgent cases will be given appointment.
• All new cases must be consulted with specialists at least
once. •
Follow up: Medical oficers can review patients and continue medication. Change of medication should
preferably be discussed with specialist in charge.
• Depot clinics: For stable patients who require continued
medication especially those on regular depot injections. •
Defaulter tracing: Every patient who has missed one follow up will be contacted as early as possible to arrange for
earliest possible outpatient visit.
• Initiating early and prompt outpatient treatment: Accurate
diagnosis early ensures correct treatment. •
Counseling and psychotherapies when needed: Most psychiatric treatment must also include elements of
counseling or psychotherapy.
• Audit of case notes by specialists on patients managed by
medical oficers and others periodically.
6.1.5 Equipment
• Minimum requirements include ofice space and furniture.
• Useful equipment include a standard alarm system to use
for call for help.
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