In 2024, Hospital do Mar took an innovative step with the opening of a new Psychiatry Inpatient Unit , created to respond to acute situations that require specialized care, through an integrated and humanized approach. Since then, this unit has strengthened the Hospital da Luz Network response for Mental Health, offering inpatient care within a hospital with multiple clinical specialties and a highly experienced team. What is this psychiatry inpatient new unit? The Psychiatry Inpatient Unit at Hospital do Mar was created to treat episodes of acute exacerbation of mental illness that can no longer be managed on an outpatient basis or at home. “This new service we are providing is not an isolated response. It is part of the Psychiatry and Mental Health hub that is being developed within Hospital da Luz,” explains Maria João Heitor, who led the creation of the unit . “There was a very clear lack of an inpatient facility with these characteristics in the private sector, integrated within a hospital with other medical specialties.” Who is it for? The unit is prepared to provide healthcare for patients with: Severe depressive disorder Anxiety disorders Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders Bipolar disorder Addictions (alcohol, video games, and others) In a context where psychiatric disorders are estimated to affect around 22.9% of the population in Portugal, access to specialized care is an increasing necessity. A therapeutic and rehabilitative model Located in a tranquil setting overlooking the Tagus estuary, the unit combines clinical treatment with a strong rehabilitative component. “We have invested in a therapeutic, but also rehabilitative, model,” emphasizes Maria João Heitor. “We rely on a specialized Mental Health team and on the support of services already available at Hospital do Mar, such as physiotherapy, cognitive stimulation, occupational therapies and psychotherapeutic approaches. This allows us to start preparing discharge from the very first day.” This integration acts as a true accelerator of the recovery process. Inpatient care designed for safety and comfort The unit currently has 14 beds, in single and double rooms, and is fully adapted to the safety requirements of Mental Health care with spaces designed for protection and continuous monitoring. Even so, the environment is far from institutional: patients mostly wear their own clothes; there are social and communal spaces; there is access to outdoor areas, such as a winter garden and common areas of the hospital. The aim is to promote autonomy, dignity and well-being throughout the hospital stay. The team: a truly multidisciplinary approach The care plan is developed by a team that includes: psychiatrists; physicians from other specialties; nurses; psychologists and therapy technicians. “All patients are assessed by more than one psychiatrist and we discuss the best approach as a team,” explains João Data Franco . “We rely mainly on a detailed clinical history and work together.” For André Delgado , inpatient care is not only for extreme situations: “We are not always dealing with suicidal ideation. Often, only hospitalization allows us to rethink the diagnosis and safely adjust treatment.” The patient at the center of care Here, there are no labels: there are people with illness. The focus is always on the person, their needs and their individual expectations. “The patient is seen as a whole. If there is a need to treat an infection, a respiratory or metabolic decompensation, we have the resources here to do so,” reinforces Maria João Heitor. Coordination with families and caregivers is constant, and discharge planning is carried out with great precision: “Hospitalization brings the relief of a new, clear plan. Discharge is done safely, with well-defined warning signs,” explains João Data Franco. Continuity of care after discharge Discharge does not represent an end, but a new beginning. Many patients continue follow-up in consultations at Hospital da Luz, ensuring continuity of care and consolidation of the gains achieved during hospitalization. “This approach speeds up the discharge process and consolidates outcomes in the post-hospitalization period,” says Rita Avelar . What sets this psychiatry inpatient unit apart Integration within a hospital with multiple medical specialties An experienced psychiatric team and strong teamwork A strong rehabilitative component (physiotherapy, cognitive training, psychotherapy) A humanized, safe and personalized environment More information about Mental Health at Hospital do Mar and access to psychiatry inpatient unit . Our Health Guide contents have an information purpose, are intended for the general public and may not be up to date. They do not replace the information, opinion and individual advice of a doctor or other healthcare professional in their areas of expertise.
