Victorian HIV Mental Health Service
Staff
Description of Service
The Victorian HIV Mental Health Service (VHMHS) consists of a multidisciplinary psychiatric assessment and treatment team for people living with HIV.
The service is based at The Alfred and provides a service to inpatients and offers outpatient assessment and treatment.
This service is available to people living with HIV from across Victoria and is not restricted by postcode.
The team also provides psychiatric assessment service at two satellite clinics: Waiora Community Mental Health Service Armadale and Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in Carlton.
The service combines psychiatric nursing and psychiatry expertise. The service works closely with The Alfred Psychiatry services and Victorian HIV Service.
The Consultation Liaison Nurse plays a key role as a resource and link between HIV medical services and mainstream acute and community psychiatric services.
The team play a large role in education and secondary consultation to psychiatric services, health services and HIV community agencies regarding the mental health issues which arise in the management of HIV infection.
Outside of office hours or crisis.
Crisis Assessment and Treatment Service (CATS)
CATS provide a 24 hour, seven day a week assessment and treatment program to people who experience a mental health crisis.
These services are intensive in nature, community based and offer an alternative to hospitalisation. If hospitalisation is required, CATS will facilitate the process and follow up after discharge if required.
Referrals: The team responds to referrals from the community that has been triaged by The Alfred Psychiatry's Triage Service. Phone 1300 363 746