Patient Information Sheet
The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) is a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore. We strive to continually improve our services and ensure that our patients and visitors are well cared for. We recognise that each patient is unique with individual needs, strengths, values and beliefs. Our staff will strive to make your visit, consultation and/or hospitalisation at IMH a beneficial
and comfortable one.
IMH adopts a multidisciplinary team approach in your care. Our psychiatrists, medical officers, nurses, allied healthcare professionals and other staff will work together with you and your caregivers to achieve the optimal outcome in your treatment. The team will also explain, educate and counsel you on your illness, treatment and care. Do approach our staff if you need
any assistance.
Patient Information Sheet
Patient and Family Right & Responsibilities
Summary of Services
Clinical | Allied Health | Others |
Addiction Medicine | Case Management | Dental Services |
Visiting Hours
General Wards, and 80A & 80B Medical/Isolation Wards | Daily | 12pm - 2pm and 5pm - 7pm |
High Dependency Psychiatric Care Unit (HDPCU) | Daily | 11.30am - 1.30pm and 5pm - 7pm |
Forensic Wards (for immediate family members only): | ||
70B Long-stay Forensic | Tue & Sat | 2.30pm - 3.30pm |
70B Acute Forensic | Sat only | |
75A/B Long-stay Forensic | Wed & Sun | |
75A/B Acute Forensic | Sun only | 10am - 11am |
Clinic Hours (all visits are by appointment only)
Sayang Wellness Centre (SWC) Clinic | Mon - Thu: 8am - 5.30pmFri: 8am - 5pm |
Clinic B | |
National Addictions Management Service (NAMS) Clinic | |
Child Guidance Clinic (CGC) - Sunrise Wing | |
Child Guidance Clinic (CGC) - Health Promotion Board | |
Community Wellness Clinic (CWC) - Queenstown | Mon, Tue & Thu: 8am - 5.30pm |
Community Wellness Clinic (CWC) - Geylang | Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri: 8am - 5pm |
Contact Us
Outpatient Appointments Mon – Fri (8am to 6pm) | 6389 2200 / e-mail: imh.appt@nhghealth.com.sg / Online form: https://for.sg/imhappt |
General Enquiries (24-Hour Service) | 6389 2000 or e-mail: imh.enquiry@nhghealth.com.sg |
Billing Enquiries | 6407 8128 |
Medical Records Office | 6389 2031 or email: imh.mro@nhghealth.com.sg |
Patient Relations Office - Quality Service | 6389 1918 or email: imh.qsm@nhghealth.com.sg |
National Mindline 1771 (24-hour Service) | Hotline: Dial 1771 |
Care-related activities
Please also take note of the following care-related activities conducted in our hospital:
As a patient, your consent will be sought for identified treatment and investigations. If your mental condition prevents you from giving consent, your next-of-kin and lawful representative may give the consent in accordance with the legal provisions in Singapore.
IMH is gazetted under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008. This act allows detention of a person suffering from a mental disorder to receive compulsory inpatient treatment if it is assessed by a Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP), that it is necessary in the interests of health or safety of the person or protection of other persons. Such admission is termed involuntary and the duration of detention varies from case to case. The treatment and care for these patients will be the same as other patients who are voluntarily admitted for treatment.
Research is also undertaken in this hospital and you may be invited to participate in clinical research or clinical trials. Such trials are vetted and approved by the Domain Specific Review Board of the NHG Health. If you are selected, we will get your informed consent.
You can decline to participate or withdraw from any research at any time and this will not affect your care and treatment in the hospital.
IMH is an accredited teaching hospital for medical students, psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, medical social workers, occupational therapists and counsellors. During your visit here, you may encounter them in the wards or clinics. Your participation in their training is however subject to your verbal consent. Please be assured that your care and treatment will not be affected should you decide not to participate.
At IMH, patient care is our utmost priority, and we are committed to providing healthcare of the highest quality. Should you experience any shortcomings in your care, do inform your healthcare team. Your views and comments are important to us and will be given due
consideration.
Dignity & Respect
IMH is an acute tertiary psychiatric hospital that provides mental health services. You will receive considerate, respectful, appropriate and cost-effective medical care, regardless of your age, gender, race, nationality, social status, physical or mental illness.
Your Treatment Team
Your multidisciplinary treatment team comprises doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. Trainees may participate in your care under supervision.
Informed Consent
Informed consent is required from you for some treatments and procedures. If you are unable to make decisions on your care due to mental incapacity, we may seek consent from your caregiver who is legally authorised to make decisions on your behalf. When
there is no one legally authorised to make decisions on your behalf and you lack mental capacity to make decisions on your care, the doctor may order treatment in your best interests in consultation with your caregivers.
Informed consent is required should you participate in research study.
Safety & Privacy
During the course of your treatment, you will be treated with dignity and accorded privacy at all times. You will also receive care in a safe environment. We will also offer appropriate protection to vulnerable persons due to age, disability and/or ill health.
During & After Your Stay
Your treatment team will explain about your condition and treatment plan in a language you can understand.
You may accept or refuse medical care or recommended treatment subject to legal conditions. In so doing, you accept the responsibility for any medical consequences resulting from your decision.
You are required to participate actively in your treatment including decision-making regarding your treatment plans.
You may inform the hospital of any difficulties you may be facing in complying with the prescribed treatment plan.
You should treat all hospital staff, other patients and visitors with courtesy and respect.
You have the right to leave the hospital against the advice of your doctor, unless you are in legal custody within the ambit of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act (MHCTA), the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) or the Infectious Disease Act (IDA), or where restrictions on such right to leave the hospital are otherwise stipulated and/or permitted or authorised by any existing law in force in Singapore. However, if you choose to do so, the hospital and doctors will not be held responsible for any medical consequences pertaining to your health thereafter.
You have the right to meet and talk with family, friends and other visitors during visiting hours, unless the hospital policy or your doctor’s order states otherwise. You and your family also have the right to refuse visitors unless otherwise required by the law.
You have the right to seek a second opinion for your medical condition (unless you are detained under the MHCTA, CPC or IDA), without fear of compromise to your care within the organisation.
We will continue to address your care and treatment needs following your discharge.
You have the right to discuss Advance Care Planning (ACP) with your treating doctor and family which will serve to guide decisions on matters relating to your healthcare if you lose your mental capacity in the future. The discussion on ACP may include subjects related to Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and/or Advance Medical Directive (AMD), if applicable.
Medical Records
There are processes in place to ensure that your medical records are only accessible to staff involved in your care, those who are monitoring the quality of your care or involved in medical research and education as authorised by the law or the hospital. You may obtain a copy of your medical records in accordance with the hospital policy.
Religious Counselling
We respect your emotional, social, spiritual and cultural needs. You may request for spiritual support and access during your stay with us. You are welcome to arrange for a religious counsellor to visit and/or pray for you while you are in the hospital. However, do note
that permission can be granted only when it does not cause disturbance or harm to others.
Financial Counselling
You will be provided with financial counselling and information on financial assistance schemes pertaining to your medical bills before services are rendered. If you require financial assistance, you may approach our medical social workers. Should you have queries on the accuracy of your bills and hospital charges, you may consult our Business Office representatives.
You are required to leave IMH once you are certified medically fit for discharge. If you are unable to do so within a grace period of six days, government subsidy will be withdrawn and you will be required to pay the non-subsidised rate from the 7th day onwards.
Click here for more info on Social Overstayers.
Provision of Information
We need you and/or your family to provide complete and accurate information about your health, including any present conditions, past illnesses, hospitalisation, medication and any other related information.
To facilitate registration and payment processes, do provide complete and accurate personal particulars and consent to access your Medisave, Medishield, etc.
Respect & Consideration for Others
