Our Services: Overview

Services Overview

Both inpatients and day patients are admitted under the care of specialist psychiatrists who lead multidisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, psychologists and allied health professionals.

The Clinic has three inpatient programs. An Elderly Assessment program that provides treatment to elderly patients suffering from a variety of psychiatric illnesses including anxiety and depressive disorders as well as organic conditions. The Director of this program is Associate Professor Gerard Byrne.

The Eating Disorders Program is directed by Dr Michael Theodoros. This program provides treatment to patients suffering from anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and other disordered eating behaviours. The program is conducted in phases and includes re-feeding, nutrition, controlled exercise and a practical phase. New Farm Clinic is the only private facility in Queensland that offers a re-feeding phase in its Eating Disorder Program.

The Mood Disorders Program is the Clinic’s largest service and provides treatment for the full range of mood disorders including patients suffering, but not limited to, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, depressive and anxiety disorders, mania, personality disorders, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Director of this program is Dr Jim Rodney.

Each Unit is staffed by professional and qualified staff including Nursing Unit Manager, Registered and Enrolled Nurses. Allied Health staff, including Clinical Psychologists, Psychologists, Diversional and Occupational Therapists, are also attached to the Units. The Allied Health staff facilitate daily group sessions and together with nursing staff, provide one on one time with all patients. The services of a Social Worker are also available as required.

New Farm Clinic also operates an Electroconvulsive Treatment Service four mornings per week. This service is directed by Dr Axel Estensen. The Clinic received a commendation from Queensland Health for the introduction and implementation of its extensive ECT Information Package.

Following discharge, patients may be referred to any of the Day Programs offered. The programs are run over a 6 to 8 week cycle and include an Eating Disorders Day Program, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Program (CBT), Self-Enhancement Program, Dialectical Behavioural Program (DBT). New Farm Clinic’s Day Program Director is Dr Ben Steinberg. While in the Programs, patients are cared for by a consultant psychiatrist credentialed to New Farm Clinic.

The Day Program Centre provides indoor and outdoor courtyard facilities, separate from the inpatient population, for the exclusive use of patients referred to the Day Programs.

The Clinic employs approximately 120 full-time, part-time and casual staff in the areas of nursing, allied health, administration and environmental services.

All members of staff are provided with an internal In-service Education Program, which offers ongoing education and training on topics related to the industry. There are regular sessions conducted by psychiatrists and other relevant health care providers. The staff are also encouraged to attend external personal development and relevant industry courses where appropriate.