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What we do
The Extended Care Unit (ECU) is a 20-bed secure inpatient unit located within the Mental Health and Wellbeing Precinct at Bendigo Hospital.
ECU provides medium to long-term mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and rehabilitation in a safe and supportive environment. The service focuses on working alongside people to identify their individual goals, build confidence, develop everyday living skills and support their personal recovery.
Care and support are tailored to each person's individual needs, preferences and goals. People are encouraged and supported to actively participate in decisions about their care, including the development of individual treatment and recovery plans.
Families, carers and supporters are recognised as important partners in care and are involved in planning where appropriate, in accordance with the person's preferences, rights and relevant legislation.
The ECU team works collaboratively with community mental health and wellbeing teams, other health professionals and community services to support continuity of care and prepare for transitions beyond hospital.
Who we care for
ECU provides medium to long-term inpatient mental health and wellbeing treatment and rehabilitation for adults aged 18 to 65 who require additional support with their mental health and recovery.
The unit provides a secure and structured environment for people whose treatment, care and support needs cannot currently be met in a less restrictive setting.
How to access this service
Admission to ECU is arranged through referrals from community mental health and wellbeing teams, acute inpatient services or other relevant health services and agencies.
Each referral is considered individually to determine whether ECU is the most appropriate service to meet the person's treatment, care and recovery needs. Other care and support options may be explored where appropriate.
Admissions are intended to be time limited, with the length of stay guided by each person's individual treatment, rehabilitation and recovery needs.
Planning for discharge and ongoing community support is undertaken collaboratively with the person, their treating team and relevant services to support continuity of care and recovery beyond hospital.
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Psychiatric Precinct
Location
100 Barnard Street
Entry via Mercy Street, Bendigo, VIC, 3550
Phone
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- Extended Care Unit (ECU)
How to refer your patient
Referral to the Extended Care Unit (ECU) does not automatically imply admission, as other options may be more appropriate.
There is an expectation that admission to the ECU will be time limited, with the length of admission being determined by the treatment and rehabilitation requirements of the patient.
Discharge from the ECU will be based on the patient meeting the goals that have been set including the ability to receive treatment and rehabilitation in a less restrictive environment.
The treating team will make all referrals and arrangements for any continued follow up that will be necessary prior to discharge of the patient from the ECU.
Referring persons are asked to provide the following information:
Any recent presentation/concerns and any new findings and recent medical investigations (Pathology, neurological testing/reports, Histology and Medical Imaging).
A list of current medications (if prescribed), relevant patient history, relevant family history, any other information pertinent and that may assist in decision making with patient, family/carer about their care and treatment.
Clinical service overview
The Extended Care Unit provides rehabilitation services to patients of Bendigo Mental Health Services on an inpatient basis.
It is the preferred area for those patients with a serious mental illness, who have unremitting symptoms together with significant disturbance of behaviour which inhibits the patient's capacity to live in the community and requiring intensive rehabilitation that cannot be undertaken in a community setting.
Admission to the Extended Care Unit is contingent on the referred patient: Having a significant mental illness and an enduring psychosocial disability, having identified treatment and rehabilitation needs that cannot be met in a community setting due to behaviour disturbances - which pose a significant risk to themselves or others.
Admission to Extended Care Unit may be required for patients of Enhanced Crisis Assessment, APARC, Bendigo Adult Community Mental Health Team or the Acute Inpatient Service. Referrals may also be received from other services or agencies.
Resources View All Health Professional Resources
Psychiatric Precinct
Location
100 Barnard Street
Entry via Mercy Street, Bendigo, VIC, 3550
