Mental Health Hospital Services | Western Cape Government

Mental Health Hospital Services

Description:

In- and out-patient mental health services are available for children and adults during those periods when their mental health care requires more intensive and contained care than available at the primary level of care.

Hospital care for mental health is currently primarily offered in units located in the metropolitan region; however, these centres offer services for clients throughout the province according to designated areas.

The following four psychiatric hospitals offer specialised in- and out-patient care for adults:

  • Valkenberg and Stikland Hospitals mainly provide a service for general psychiatric illnesses.
  • Ithemba House is now part of Valkenberg Hospital and offers an in-patient mental health stepdown facility.
  • New Beginnings is now part of Stikland Hospital and offers an in-patient mental health stepdown facility.
  • Lentegeur Hospital offers services for people with mental illness or intellectual disability.
  • Alexandra Hospital has services for people with intellectual disability only.

Provincial services for children are available at the following units:

  • The Red Cross Child and Family Unit, Rondebosch, Cape Town, offers an out-patient service for children with mental health difficulties. There is also a specialist in-patient service for children under 12. For more information call 021 685 4103.
  • Tygerberg Child and Family Unit offers in- and out-patient care for children and adolescents. Call 021 938 4573 for more information.
  • Lentegeur Child and Family Unit has an in- and out-patient service for children and adolescents. Call 021 370 1111.

Specialised in- and out-patient services for selected mental health disorders are also available at the University of Cape Town's Psychiatry Department, at Groote Schuur Hospital, Stellenbosch University's Psychiatric Department, and from Tygerberg Hospital.

For information on access to hospital services for adults and children living in the other regions contact:

  • Winelands: Call 023 348 1401 or fax 023 342 850.
  • Overberg: Call 023 348 1400 or fax 023 347 5211.
  • Garden Route/Central Karoo: Call 044 802 4537 or fax 044 874 5017.
  • A short-stay psychiatric in-patient service is offered from George Hospital in the Southern Cape Karoo.
  • West Coast: Call 022 487 9264 or fax 022 487 2927.
Instructions:

Potential clients must be referred to these hospitals by primary mental health services or secondary (regional) hospitals. The hospital should be contacted by the referring health worker to arrange admission beforehand. Specialised mental health services based at tertiary hospitals, Red Cross, Groote Schuur or Tygerberg would require a referral letter or completed admission application obtainable at the service centre before the service can be accessed by appointment.

Currently, specialised services are only available in the metro; however, the metro offers services to the entire province according to drainage areas. First-time referrals to psychiatric or tertiary hospital will be asked to fill out a form and a folder will be opened for the patient. Bring your ID book. A referral letter from the clinic will be required when visiting a hospital. Hospitals will ask for your most recent payslip/income assessment (IRP5). Bring your hospital card if previously registered at the hospital.

Most clients voluntarily admit themselves for hospital treatment. In terms of the current Mental Health Act, when the client has a psychiatric crisis and is not willing to come or unable to assess their own need to have hospital treatment and presents a risk for their own or other safety, it may be necessary for family members to have the person committed to hospital. In this case, family members should lodge an application for assistance in obtaining involuntary care with the local magistrate in their district. Mental health legislation is currently under review and changes will be introduced to the process for admitting a person for involuntary care when the new Mental Health Care Act and regulations are formally promulgated into law.

On discharge from hospital, a follow-up appointment can be arranged with the mental health nurse at the clinic-based service closest to the client's home to ensure continuity of care.

For more information, contact:

Alexandra Hospital
Chief Executive Officer: Tracy Ellis (Acting)
Tel: 021 503 5000 / 5009
Fax: 021 503 5037

Lentegeur Hospital
Chief Executive Officer: Dr B Swartz
Tel: 021 370 1111/ 1408
Fax: 021 371 7359

Stikland Hospital
Chief Executive Officer: Ms L. Van der Berg
Tel: 021 940 4400/ 4403
Fax: 021 940 4559

Valkenberg Hospital
Chief Executive Officer: Mr M. Photo (Acting)
Tel: 021 826 5805 

Ithemba House  
Tel: 021 8265 832 
Email: ReferralValkenberg.Ithemba@westerncape.gov.za

New Beginnings
Tel: 021 940 4400

Provided At: These facility categories:
Provided by:
Government Body: (Department of Health and Wellness, Western Cape Government)
The content on this page was last updated on 12 October 2021