Mental Health Service Older Persons (MHSOP)

The Mental Health Service Older Persons (MHSOP) is located at Te Whare Ra Uta on the Kenepuru Community Hospital campus.

It is predominantly a community based service, with a 16 bed specialist inpatient unit. We work as a multi-disciplinary team including nursing, medical, occupational therapy, psychology, social work and support staff.

The MHSOP provides assessment, treatment and rehabilitation to:

• Older people with recent onset psychiatric illness 
• People with complex behavioural and psychological difficulties associated with dementia where a short-stay in an acute hospital environment is required for assessment of ongoing needs.

It is important that the person’s physical health has been considered and that delirium or other medical illnesses have been managed or excluded.

There are some people referred with complex physical and mental health needs where co management across more than one specialty service may be needed.  The MHSOP works in close collaboration with other service providers  to identify the best ways of achieving this.

Inpatient unit

Each person admitted to the inpatient unit has a primary nurse and associate nurse assigned to them; they are usually also assessed by the medical staff on the day of admission, and later during the admission, as the need is identified, by other members of the multidisciplinary team.

The staff wear identification badges and you can ask them about their role. Usually there are at least two meetings made with the family of people admitted to the inpatient unit; the first within the first fortnight for a progress report and the final meeting to clarify discharge planning.

Visiting hours

Visiting hours are 10am to 8pm every day or by arrangement if needed and this can be discussed with the nurse in charge.

Visits by family or friends are encouraged as maintaining social contacts plays a positive role in a person’s recovery. Certain areas of the ward may have greater restrictions than others; if necessary please discuss this with the nurse.

Capital & Coast DHB has a non-smoking policy anywhere on its grounds including the inpatient ward and visitors are asked to refrain from smoking while on the premises.

Referrals for initial assessment in the community

These are usually facilitated by a person’s general practitioner through Te Haika, our 24/7 mental health and addiction contact centre.

Enquiries to the community team

Phone: (04) 978-2841

Email: OlderpersonsCMHT@MHAIDS.health.nz

Referrals for inpatient admission

These are usually facilitated by the community team or by referrals from the general hospital.

Enquiries to the inpatient ward

Phone: (04) 978-2863

Te Whare Ra Uta is located at 16 Hospital Drive in Kenepuru Community Hospital, Raiha Street, Porirua 5022. There are two car parks designated for visitors to Te Whare Ra Uta nearby however there are often a number of other parking spaces nearby should these be taken.

See location details and maps for Kenepuru Community Hospital