Services/Facilities

Our Services

General Inpatient Psychiatric Service

The Inpatient Therapy Team at Delmont provides a comprehensive and well balanced range of therapeutic group programs and activities. These programs compliment the medical and nursing care that the patients receive during their inpatient stay at Delmont.

The Therapy Programs are managed by an experienced team of allied health professionals including, Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Nurse Therapists, Creative Art Therapists and Pastoral Care Workers.

The main focus of the program is conducted in a group setting but specific professional services such as psychological counselling, social work, pastoral care etc. are also available at the treating doctor's request.

There are three main sections to the therapy treatment program, General Psychiatry, Drug and Alcohol and Aged Psychiatry.

 

 The General Therapy Program offers a range of groups which focus on developing insight into the underlying factors that may perpetuate anxiety and depression. The attendees also learn practical strategies to cope more effectively with the distress of the symptoms usually associated with anxiety and depression. In addition, other significant issues related to health and well being such as, self esteem, grief and loss, social isolation and loneliness are explored and incorporated into the daily group work program.

The Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Program works in close collaboration with the Addiction Specialists, who offer medically supervised detox for all substances. This is complemented by a group therapy program offered to patients during their detox period in Delmont. This program utilises strategies and techniques from cognitive and behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing. The group also explores the connections between substance abuse and other mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. The staff work closely with Delmont Out Patient Services, and this provides a direct link and introduction to outpatient services, and other community based programs to ensure that ongoing follow up and support is available.

The Aged Psychiatry Program is managed and delivered by the Senior Occupational Therapist in close collaboration with Psycho geriatrician and Psychiatrists. The program offers comprehensive assessment, in a structured environment that is designed to incorporate and stimulate; physical activity, (including strengths training and walking groups), intellectual engagement, social interaction, good nutrition and Hope!

For many patients the therapy day starts off with a get-up start up Walking Group. This part of the program, which alternates with the Strengths Training Program, offers a good morning walk to the local parklands. In addition to the social aspect of this walk the participants have the opportunity to get into a healthy and stimulating routine and are encouraged to consider incorporating such a healthy living option into their lives post discharge.

In addition to this morning walk, a Progressive Strength Training Program is offered three times per week to all patients. Strengths Training under the supervision of qualified trainers has been well researched and shown to assist in maintaining bone strength and to increase muscle volume. It has also been shown to reduce Depression by about 50%.

Distress Management, which is scheduled on Monday and Friday, is a skills based programs to assist patients more effectively regulate strong overwhelming emotions. It incorporates simple breathing, distraction, and mindfulness techniques to enhance the patient's capacity to tolerate and manage their feelings of distress and vulnerability.

The Creative Arts Program allows the participant to explore their thoughts and feelings through the creative process using a variety of artistic media, such as painting, drawing and sculpture. It gives opportunity to externalize, explore, and negotiate thoughts and feelings that are causing conflict in their lives, in a safe and non-judgmental environment. It is an integral component of the overall therapy program and an excellent alternative to the talking/learning groups, for those who find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and feelings in a discussion group.

In addition to these core programs, offered by the inpatient team, various other programs and activities are offered to compliment and balance the intellectual and emotional demands of the program.

Every day the patients have the opportunity to attend the local Y.M. C. A. and utilise the excellent Gym and Swimming facilities at Ashburton Recreational Centre. This group program is supervised, provided at no additional cost and promotes the role of a physical exercise and recreational activity in a healthy life style. This activity based program is highly regarded and well attended by the patients and often helps to reintroduce them to exercise and a more healthy routine.

A daily Relaxation session is offered most days and introduces the patients to a range of techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, passive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques and visualization, to help lower stress and anxiety. This program emphasises the role of relaxation in reducing stress related illness.

The Craft Groups which run most afternoons are surprisingly the groups which are in most demand. The Delmont Craft group has an excellent reputation for using a wide range of good quality materials and for producing an excellent standard of craft work. The real value of the group however, is that it promotes a greater sense of positive self worth, allows for sharing of skills between members and provides a quiet low stimulus, productive environment which greatly assists in reducing stress and anxiety levels.

Single Information/Education sessions which focus on a range of health related topics such as, Loss and Grief, Identifying and Expressing Feelings, Better Sleep, Establishing and Maintaining Boundaries, Managing Anger, Loneliness, Strategies to manage Anxiety and Depression, Acceptance etc, to name just a few, are offered most week-day afternoons by an experienced member of the Therapy Team. These groups are open to all patients and are an excellent and relevant adjunct to the psycho/social knowledge and learning component of the Inpatient Therapy Program.

A Music Therapist is engaged two evenings a week to encourage the patients to actively participate and uncover their musical talents and voice. This music program is fun, entertaining and reconnects patients with the positive influence that music can have on their mood and well-being.

Pastoral Care is offered by a therapist from the therapy team, also qualified as a Chaplain, who can help patients explore spiritual aspects of their situation or contact carers from their faith traditions. Patients can self refer or can be referred by their doctor.

All of the components and activities of the Therapy Programs are set out in a Program Time Table, which is strategically placed around the hospital and a copy is available to all patients.