Gundhu Adolescent Wing: Providing Adolescent Beds in a Rural Acute Mental Health Unit

Abstract

To describe the evolution, structure and outcomes of Gundhu Adolescent Wing, Toowoomba, Queensland, which comprises six dedicated beds set aside during development of a new rural acute mental health unit. All adolescents discharged from Gundhu in its first 7 months were included in the study. Data pertaining to patient characteristics, model of service delivery, length of inpatient stay and outcome at 7 months were obtained. Thirty-three adolescents with mental illness living in the rural area were discharged from Gundhu in the first 7 months. For the 23 adolescents who stayed on the unit <14 days, outcome at 7 months after discharge was generally favourable. Six adolescents with length of stay of >or=30 days did less well, but made similar progress to patients in tertiary units. From the authors' experience, designating a small number of beds as adolescent within a rural acute mental health unit is an effective intervention for short-stay patients and is valued by adolescents and their families. Keeping the adolescent unit separate is beneficial even at the expense of foregoing access to space and facilities enjoyed by adult patients. Involving families early to provide off-ward fun, exercise and socialization with peers is important. Rural services tend to have high staff turnover. Involving rural general practitioners in follow-up plans may ensure better continuity of care after discharge.