Program Overview
The Developmental Disabilities Service is a component of the Northeast Mental Health Centre's Regional Specialized Mental Health Program and one of its outreach services. The service provides community based psychiatric assessment, consultation and treatment for adults with developmental disabilities and mental health needs (dual diagnosis) residing in the hospital's catchment area.
The service's clinical team works collaboratively with patients, families, family doctors, and community based multidisciplinary teams most commonly located in the patient's place of residence. The core team in North Bay (psychiatry, administration, management) works in conjunction with community based Mental Health Clinicians located in key districts throughout the region. DDS clinicians are currently hosted in the following community based agencies: CMHA Cochrane Timiskaming, Timiskaming Health Unit, CMHA Sault Ste Marie, Muskoka-Parry Sound Community Mental Health Service, and CMHA Nipissing. Care is provided from a bio-psychosocial perspective utilizing recovery oriented principles. The provision of psychiatric care is offered on the basis of individual needs, informed consent and/or substitute decision making.
Services Offered
The DDS provides community based psychiatric assessment, consultation, and treatment for people with a dual diagnosis.
Although clinical care is our priority, the DDS also incorporates education (district based workshops, biannual conferences, leader in the recent dual diagnosis e-learning project through the North Community Network of Specialized Care), advocacy (individual and systemic), and research (see list) into our service's goals.
Referral Process
Our criteria for consultations is as follows:
- Is 16 years of age or older and,
- Is being referred for a diagnostic assessment or review of medication/treatment plans and,
- Has a recognized developmental disability of a mild to profound severity and exhibits behaviours that may be attributable to a mental illness,
OR
May have a diagnosis within the autistic spectrum disorders and is not adequately supported by local generic mental health services.
- Individuals will not be assessed without consent from his/her substitute decision maker, and
- If there is a primary physician/ psychiatrist, he/she must provide a written referral.
Information gathered during the referral process is necessary to optimize the efficiency of the initial psychiatric consultation. Referral sources are required to complete a referral package prior to all consultations. A written request for consultation form the patient's general practitioner must be included as part of the completed referral package.
For more information, please contact us using one of the methods listed in the box above.
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