women's and children's hospital adelaide

Department of Psychological Medicine

The Department of Psychological Medicine (DPM) aims to provide a high quality therapeutic service to patients and families, influence the culture of the WCH to enhance the quality of care provided to all its paediatric patients and their families.

Staff of the Department

work directly with patients and their families
liaise with and support other staff
advocate for improvements in paediatric practice
facilitate and cooperate in research
teach staff and students
participate in divisional and hospital committees.

The Department of Psychological Medicine consists of three overlapping services for children and their families.

Neurodevelopmental Service

Senior clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists provide assessment and intervention for patients with physical injury, illness and disability.

Therapeutic Service

Therapeutic services are offered through a number of programs. Patients and their families may be involved with more than one program, where this is indicated.

The Family Therapy and Illness Program

Offers:-

A therapeutic service to families.
Consultation services to clinical staff regarding their work and teams.
Family Therapy Training to Registrars and Trainees of all disciplines.

Functional Rehabilitation Program

In partnership with allied health, medical teams and ward staff, the service provides a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to improving functioning in cases where the cause of pain or other functional difficulties is unclear or where psychological and family, or systems issues may be contributing factors.

Medical Hypnotherapy Program

Adjustment to Chronic Illness and Disability Program

Group and individual interventions for children and families

Eating Disorders Program

A multi-disciplinary team offers:-

Inpatient and Outpatient services to patients presenting with an eating disorder, primarily anorexia nervosa.
Consultation service to other professionals (within and outside hospital) regarding patients.
Training

Consultation-Liaison Service

An extensive C-L Program is offered for the immediate or urgent management of patients:-

In medical and surgical wards and the Paediatric Emergency Department.
The ongoing or long term management of patients
Consultation and support to treating teams.

Ward Program

Immediate assessment of and/or liaison about patients and their families where

there are significant psychosocial issues in relation to their physical illness or disability (eg, difficulties in adjustment or non-acceptance of major disability, poor treatment adherence, parenting difficulties in the face of illness)
psychiatric illness is suspected (eg, depression in a child with physical illness, anxiety which may be misinterpreted as physical illness) where psychological factors may be contributing to physical illness (somatisation, illness exaggeration)
behaviour on the ward is difficult for staff to manage.

Self Harm Program (in partnership with the Emergency Mental Health Service)

Consultation and immediate management of children who deliberately harm themselves.

Emergency Program

Mental health consultation to the WCH Paediatric Emergency Department
Taking a leadership role in hospital wide aggression management
Consultation to GPs, community paediatricians and other community agencies.

How to Access Our Services

Referrals of both inpatients and outpatients can be made in writing or by telephone by any clinician from the WCH or other organisations. Referrals are considered by the DPM Allocation Committee, and feedback is provided to the referrer.

For emergency program or where referrals are considered urgent - the On Call Senior Clinician or Registrar may be contacted through 8161 7227.

Information for Families

Resources

Department of Psychological Medicine Directions 2003-05 (Size 30 Kb)

Department of Psychological Medicine Strategic Directions 2003-04 with detailed performance measures (Business Plan) (Size 35 Kb)

Wards

The Department of Psychological Medicine provides consultation to all paediatric wards

Hours

Monday to Friday 9.00-5.00 pm. After hours consultations by arrangement

Contact Person/Departmental Head

Jon Jureidini
Head, Department of Psychological Medicine

Location

Ground Floor, Good Friday Building
Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Street
Adelaide
South Australia

Mailing Address

Department of Psychological Medicine
Women's and Children's Hospital
72 King William Street
Adelaide
South Australia 5006

Phone

8161 7227

Fax

8161 7032

Email

jon.jureidini@cywhs.sa.gov.au

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