Our service
Our mental health unit has a specalised team of psychiatrists, mental health nurses, social workers, Indigenous mental health workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists.
Our team provides 24 hours a day care for people with serious mental illness experiencing an acute episode who can’t be managed appropriately in a community setting.
For urgent help
If you're distressed and need immediate help, call triple zero (000).
How to access the unit
Admission to the inpatient service is arranged following an assessment by a mental health clinician and doctor. This can be in the Emergency Department or from the Acute Care Team or Community Service.
Visitors
Our visiting hours are daily between 10 am and 8 pm.
Friends or relatives are welcome to visit. Children are not able to visit on the ward. Visitors are to remains in communal areas on the ward, using the dining room and lounge room areas. A private interview room can be requested if available. No visitors are able to be in the patient rooms.
What to bring
Each time you visit us there are some things you’ll need to bring with you, including:
- your Medicare card, Pension card or Health Care Card
- recovery goals and plan
- medications you’re taking, including any bought without a prescription and herbal medicine
- private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
- glasses, hearing aid, walking frame
- pyjamas or a night gown, dressing gown and slippers
- toiletries.
Staying in the unit
The average time that people spend in the hospital is based on their clinical condition. Some people stay will stay less and others longer. Ask your doctor when you can expect to be discharged.
Smoking isn’t permitted in or within 5 metres of any Queensland Health hospitals. We can give you free nicotine replacement therapy while you’re in hospital. We also don’t allow anyone to have cigarettes in the inpatient ward.
During the early part of your stay you may be asked to stay on the ward. You can talk to your doctor about having time off the ward.
Location
Cairns Hospital
Level 6, D Block
The Esplanade
Cairns QLD 4870
Phone: 07 4226 7367