Psychiatry

Geriatric Psychiatry Outreach Team

Who We Are

Our interdisciplinary team assesses (finds out what the problem is) and treats seniors with psychiatric problems who are living in the community. The team links with the Vancouver Hospital STAT Centre for Day Hospital and Inpatient care when needed.

Who We See

People with:

• Anxiety.
• Memory Problems and/or other cognitive difficulties.
• Depression.
• Paranoia/suspiciousness.
• Behavioural problems associated with memory deficits.
• Assessment of person's ability to live safely at home.
• Legal, financial and personal competency assessment.

People who are over 65 and are:

• From Vancouver - for assessment and therapeutic follow-up.
• From anywhere in BC - for a single visit.

House calls are also sometimes provided within a one-hour radius from the hospital.

What We Do

Patient Services:

• Initial assessment with treatment recommendations.
• Liaison with patient's family doctor.
• Second opinions.
• Follow-up therapy as needed.
• Suggestions for referral to other appropriate services.
• Family work where needed.
• Neuropsychological evaluation.

Patient Services:

• Education about patient care for community health care staff, in their workplace, by arrangement with specific team staff.
• Clinical educational work experience for a number of health care students. This means our patients may be seen by a student supervised by a staff member.

Referral Process

The initial contact person will be our secretary at 875-4728. She will ask for basic information and pass the information to the clinic nurse or other staff member if she is away.

The intake worker then telephones the person making the referral to gather clinical information about the patient. If the person making the referral is not the family doctor, the intake worker will call the patient's doctor for further information and permission to proceed.

A letter from the family doctor should be sent to the clinic before the first visit. It should include the current health problems, medical and psychiatric history, as well as copies of recent consultations and laboratory data.

Contact Us

Geriatric Psychiatry Outreach Team
Vancouver Coastal Health  - VGH Site
855 West 12th Avenue
Centennial Pavilion 5D
Vancouver, BC   V5Z 1M9
Phone: (604) 875-4728
Fax: (604) 875-5816

Reception Hours:  8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday to Friday