Hospital facilitates short-term treatment for mental healthcare patients

Life Poortview Hospital hosted a monthly Continuing Professional Development treatment programme on 26 June.

According to Dr Marinda Overbeek, who manages Life Poortview and Life Riverfield Lodge, the aim of the event was to achieve optimal outcomes through the short-term treatment of mental healthcare patients admitted to the hospital.

“These programmes are designed to provide comprehensive and holistic treatment in order to facilitate recovery. The hospital is committed to support the continuing development and education of professionals in varied disciplines,” she said. Overbeek added that there is a multidisciplinary team of medical, therapy and nursing professionals involved in the treatment and care of patients.

“The team includes psychiatrists, a general practitioner, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers and mental health nurses offering 24-hour care and support. The team members involved in the treatment and care of patients vary according to the specific needs of each individual patient,” she said.

Among the speakers of the day was Dr Caren van Wyk, a specialist psychiatrist who delivered a talk titled Alzheimer’s, an approach to the fading mind.

She discussed the risk factors for Alzheimers disease, sketching the full-blown clinical picture and advised on screening techniques and tools. The discussion included medical treatment and strategies as well as recommend advice to caregivers.

The second speaker for the evening was music therapist Karen de Kock, who captured the audience with her sharing of Music as Medicine.

Overbeek said Life Poortview is specifically designed in order to create a therapeutic environment conducive to the recovery of mental health patients admitted to the hospital.

She also said that it specialises in the treatment of mental health disorders, including substance dependence and other addictions that are associated with these disorders.

“For instance, persons suffering from mood and anxiety disorders such as depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress and panic disorders and personality disorders such as avoidance and dependence behaviour can seek treatment at the hospital,” she added.

De Kock said the voice is the oldest instrument. “We carry it with us, wherever we go. All melodic instruments have to be tuned, else they sound unpleasing to the ear. Also, the voice has to be tuned otherwise we go out of tune. When it comes to mental health and depression, the voice silences people,” she concluded.

Details: Dr Marinda Overbeek, Clinic Manager Life Poortview and Life Riverfield Lodge 010 003 0930