New to the Victorian Centre for Mental Health
Welcome to our Centre
Visitors and patients are welcome at the Victorian Centre for Mental Health.
We are located on the first floor, 112-116/445 Princes Highway, Officer.
For the safety of patients, all patients and visitors are identified and screened at reception.
Making an appointment
We provide a range of specialised mental health services and programs for people of all ages
The general public is not able to make an appointment directly with the Victorian Centre for Mental Health. To make an appointment with a psychiatrist or one of our specialists at the Victorian Centre for Mental Health a referral is required from your local GP.
Visiting the Victorian Centre for Mental Health
The centre is located 48Km’s from the Melbourne CBD and 54 Km’s from Warragul. If travelling to the Centre from the direction of Melbourne the Monash Freeway is generally the quickest way to get here. If you are coming from the direction of Warragul then the Princes Freeway will get you here quickly depending on traffic conditions
Alcohol, Drugs & Unprescribed Medication
Alcohol or unprescribed drugs should not be brought into the Centre by patients or visitors. Consumption of alcohol or drugs on the premises, or leaving the hospital to consume alcohol or drugs, may result in cessation of treatment and discharge from the Hospital.
Driving/Parking
Unlike many hospital facilities there is usually ample Free Parking available at our facility. Depending on the duration of your visit with us this may be a significant saving to you.
Identification
Health Department Regulations require a positive identification system for medication administration. As a means of staff identifying you on admission a photo will taken. One photo will be kept on your medical file and another will be affixed to your medication sheet. You will also be issued with a stick on identification badge.
No Smoking
The Hospital is a smoke free environment. If you wish to smoke you will need to leave the building and smoke outside the premises.
Pre-admission
The Victorian Centre for Mental Health is recognised by all major health funds that will reimburse treatment costs depending on your level of coverage.
We can provide you with an estimate of charges and outline the level of cover by your fund and any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur.
Prior approval is sought for compensable patients (i.e. Workcover, TAC or DVA).
Services not covered by private health insurance:
Most programs will be covered under your private health insurance however there are some therapies on offer which may not be included in your policy.
In these instances our friendly staff can provide you with an estimate of the costs involved for these services.
What if I don’t have private health insurance?
To be covered as a private patient for our programs or for psychiatric treatment, you can purchase a private hospital policy.
Unlike other pre-existing conditions, which normally require you to complete twelve months of membership before you can be covered for a hospital admission, psychiatric services and rehabilitation only require a two month waiting period, even if the condition is pre-existing.
This means you can be covered two months after commencing or upgrading your policy.
Before coming in to the Hospital you will need a referral from your GP, or psychiatrist if you have one.
Admission
We are located on the first floor of the building. Reception staff will facilitate your admission upon arrival. Our staff will help orientate you to the Hospital. Staff will answer questions you may have relevant to your treatment, safety, security and our routines.
What to bring for Admission
- Referral letter
- GP details
- Medicare Card
- Private Health Insurance Card
- Veterans Affairs Card, Pension Number and Pharmacy Entitlement Card
- All medications you are currently taking including tablets, vitamins, mixtures, creams, inhalers or drops. Check with staff whether or not to bring your dosette
- Mobile phones are permitted in the Clinic, however the camera function may not be used to preserve the privacy of other patients
- Aids such as hearing aid, walking aid (please make sure these items are labelled with your name)
What Not To Bring
- Valuables or large sums of money
- Non prescribed drugs
- Alcohol
