HMC announces temporary relocation of mental health services to Mesaieed General Hospital

Hamad Medical Corporation has announced the temporary relocation of mental health hospital services from the Psychiatric Hospital to Mesaieed General Hospital (MGH) while the existing facility is being renovated, a statement said Wednesday.
The relocation of services will commence before the end of October and patients are to be moved when the clinical transfer plans have been completed. MGH provides a highly suitable care environment for mental health patients whose treatment plans require them to be admitted to an inpatient unit.
The specialist inpatient mental health facility in MGH has been designed in such a way as to enhance the healing environment for patients, providing greater privacy and dignity to patients and offering much more natural light than the current inpatient facility.
Dr Majid al-Abdulla, chairman of psychiatry and medical director of the Mental Health Service at HMC said: “While this is a temporary relocation of our services, we are committed to ensuring that patients benefit from a modern, well designed facility that supports their holistic treatment and recovery.”
“As many patients requiring admission often have other health conditions, it is beneficial to have other medical services onsite. Co-locating mental health services with other physical health services at Mesaieed General Hospital facilitates seamless coordination between mental health professionals and other healthcare providers. Ultimately, our aim is to provide improved care and support to patients who require a short period of hospitalisation and until they become well enough to go back home,” said Dr al-Abdulla.
MGH, which opened in April 2020, is a 120-bed state-of-the art hospital located south of Al Wakra. The inpatient mental health facility in the hospital is a result of joint work and collaboration between HMC’s Mental Health Service and Al Wakra Hospital.
Iain Tulley, national health strategy lead, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and CEO of HMC’s Mental Health Service, explained that HMC has significantly expanded its mental health services in recent years and access to mental health care is now easier than ever before.
“People in need of mental health support can call the free and confidential National Mental Health Helpline to speak directly to a mental health professional. Additionally, we have significantly expanded our provision of outpatient services across Doha, with Integrated specialist clinics, operated by HMC, at multiple PHCC health centres - Rawdat Al Khail, Thumama, Lebaib, Qatar University, Um Slal and Al Wajbah.”
Tulley added: “We are currently, reviewing our approach to outpatient provision, and some of this will move to Mesaieed in future. We will expand our services in conjunction with primary care and extend our provision in general hospital settings across HMC, to improve access, reduce stigma and integrate care. In response to patient requests and the popularity of our virtual mental health service, we plan to expand virtual access to our services and provide easier and more confidential access to treatment and care.”