The Psychosis Academic Clinical Unit (ACU) provides specialist assessment and treatment for consumers between 18-65 years of age who experience psychosis. Community and inpatient services are available according to consumer and family assessment of needs. Contemporary evidenced-based interventions are delivered either by structured program or through care coordination.

Conditions we treat

The following list identifies the range of conditions and interventions provided by the Psychosis ACU:

• schizophrenia 
• schizotypal disorder 
• persistent delusional disorders 
• acute and transient psychotic disorders 
• induced delusional disorder 
• schizo affective disorder 
• other non-organic psychotic disorders 
• unspecified non-organic psychosis. 

Accessing our service

Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services can be contacted via:

• Phone: 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55)
• Fax: 3078 2120

All initial assessments conducted by the triage team will assess the risk and immediate mental health needs of the individual.

Referrals

Appropriate referrals will be made to the Psychosis ACU for the ongoing support and treatment of individuals presenting with psychotic symptomology and their families. Information provided at the time of referral, in consultation with the Psychosis ACU will determine the service response time. This may include contact within 24 hours or notification of a scheduled appointment.

Bulk billing clinics

Under the National Health Care Agreement, Queensland public hospitals and clinics can bulk bill Medicare for some services. This applies where we have a ‘named referral’ from your GP to an approved Consultant Psychiatrist. It is the consumer's choice to be seen as a bulk billed patient or a public patient. If consumers are seen as a bulk billed patient, they may have access to one of our Consultant Psychiatrists (if available) with right of private practice, rather than being treated by a publicly appointed doctor. Our clinics will continue to offer services free-of-charge and there will be no additional ‘out of pocket’ expenses for your consultations.

Services we provide

Inpatient services

The Psychosis ACU provides short to medium term specialised inpatient care to the consumers presenting with severe or acute psychosis. The inpatient services broadly have an open general ward area that have rooms for male and female consumers and Acute Observation Areas for more acute and unwell consumers. The duration of stay is determined by the severity of illness, response to the treatment and available supportive networks. There will be strong focus on carers’ and families’ involvement, partnerships with the relevant stake holders and sharing responsibility for recovery.

Community services

The Psychosis Community ACU works in close liaison with other ACUs and with inpatient services to maintain continuity of care and endeavours to deliver an integrated and least restrictive service to the consumers suffering from psychosis. An assessment of the consumers’ and families’ needs is done upon entry and in turn will initially determine the duration of the treatment and consumers’ involvement within the Community ACUs. The services aim to initiate specialised therapies at the earliest time frame working within an assertive case management paradigm. The Psychosis ACU aims to provide services closer to the home of consumers and has strong focus on recovery and carer involvement.

Therapies

The Psychosis ACU provides access to a range of short to medium term evidence based treatments. The case manager and/or treating team will facilitate access to psychological and support programs which will address the specific needs of consumers and families and support their recovery. Interventions for the treatment of psychosis generally fall into the following main categories:

• biological or pharmacological (e.g. psychotropic medications prescribed in the physically ill patient) 
• psychological (e.g. psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Remediation Therapy, psychoeducation, group therapy) 
• social or vocational (e.g. social skills training). 

Consumers will be supported to access interventions from a range of bio/psychosocial interventions and rehabilitation services either individually or through group based programs which meet their individual needs. These include:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) 
• Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) 
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) 
• motivational interviewing 
• acceptance commitment therapy 
• solution focused therapy 
• relapse prevention and medication management 
• psychoeducation 
• sleep management 
• activity scheduling 
• communication skills training 
• living skills training 
• anger management strategies 
• coping with unwanted thoughts and/or auditory hallucinations 
• dual diagnosis brief interventions 
• family and carer education and support 
• narrative therapy 
• “Living with Voices” group sessions.