You may be admitted as soon as a bed is available. The cost for the service depends on these conditions: 1. The service is free if a patient is admitted involuntarily. This happens when the person is having such a severe mental health crisis that they need medical attention without their consent – usually an emergency. 2. If a patient voluntarily consents and request the service, they are liable for payment in terms of the Uniform Patient Fees Schedule.
3. What can I do...… What can I do... In an emergency? If you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency, go to the closest casualty/ emergency department. Emergencies are situations that require immediate intervention to reduce imminent harm or risk. In terms of mental health, risk can include damage to a person’s personal or professional reputation. Ask a friend or family member to accompany you. In an emergency, you do not require a referral letter to get help from a public or private hospital.
6.2 Private health care There are many paid options within the private health sector for support and care for mental health challenges. Doctors in private practice and counselling centres can make recommendations for specific services, and online resources can help you find mental health practitioners for services such as counselling, therapy and psychiatry. You can find options through googling or via specific mental health care online sources. Hospitalisation or admission to a treatment facility can also be done through private health care facilities. Most hospital chains detail their mental health support programs on their websites and some have special mental health facilities. As with public health care, patients generally need to be referred by a doctor or psychiatrist to be admitted for in-patient care at a hospital. However, if it is an emergency – a situation that requires immediate intervention to reduce imminent harm or risk – then you should go to the closest casualty/emergency department of a hospital and they will help without a referral letter.
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