day
9 October 2006
Where can Mental Health Services in the Free State Province be accessed?
According to the National Health Calendar, October is Mental Health
Awareness Month and 10 October is celebrated all over the world as World Mental
Health Day.
Currently the Free State Department of Health is implementing the Mental
Health Care Act No 17 of 2002. There were changes in the mental healthcare
services within the province according to the provisions of the Act.
Mental health services form part of the key health services that are
provided by the Free State Department of Health. Services are available at
three levels to enable mental healthcare users (or potential users) convenient
access.
The point of entry for mental health services are the Primary Healthcare
Clinics, Community Health Centres and District Hospitals. Services provided at
these institutions are basic mental healthcare services and assessment. Mental
healthcare users are referred to the regional hospitals and the Free State
Psychiatric Complex for admission and further management if needed.
The following hospitals are designated according to the Mental Health Care
Act:
* Ofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital in Qwa-Qwa
* Free State Psychiatric Complex in Bloemfontein.
* The Free State Psychiatric Complex also offers specialised mental healthcare
services and support health professionals through a 24-hour consultation
system.
In order to support health professionals at primary healthcare clinics,
district hospitals and regional hospitals, a team from Free State Psychiatric
Complex, comprising of the Psychiatry Registrar or Doctor and Clinical
Psychologist, conduct monthly outreach visits to specific clinics in the
province. The primary aim of these visits is to assist the health professionals
at the institutions with mental healthcare clients who may require assessment
by a Psychiatrist and / or Clinical Psychologist in order to make sure that the
mental healthcare client receives care, treatment and rehabilitation nearer to
their homes.
The specific institutions that are visited by the outreach team are as
follows:
* Motheo District
* Bloemfontein
* Batho Clinic
* Thusong Clinic
* Heidedal Clinic
* Botshabelo District Hospital
* Dr JS Moroka District Hospital in Thaba Nchu
* Xhariep District
* Nelson Mandela Clinic in Edenburg
* Thembalethu Clinic in Smithfield
* Bophelong Community Health Centre in Petrusburg
* Fezile Dabi District
* Lesedi Community Health Centre in Kroonstad
* Lejweleputswa District
* Welkom Clinic
* Matshabeng Clinic in Thabong
* Thabo Mofutsanyane District
* Harrismith Town Clinic
* Lesedi Clinic in Harrismith
* Boiketlo Clinic in Qwaqwa
If a community member is in need of mental healthcare services, he or she
should go to the nearest clinic where he or she will be assessed and referred
for further management if necessary.
Enquiries:
Gela Naudé
Tel: (051) 408 1278
Fax: (051) 408 1055
Cell: 082 381 9483
E-mail: naudeg@fshealth.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Free State Provincial Government
9 October 2006
