Caring for You, Every Step of the Way

Admission

General Information

Treatment at Vista Clinic is according to scale of benefits as determined by medical aid schemes and managed by healthcare organisations.

Doctors or clinicians refer to a psychiatrist with admission rights at Vista Clinic.  Click here for a list of admitting psychiatrists.

Click here to download the pre-admission form

Our administration and office services are available from 07:00 to 19:00.

Admission are done on appointment within office hours – 07:00 and 19:00 – at Vista Clinic’s admissions desk. 

Emergency admissions outside of office hours are arranged by the admitting doctor directly with the clinic.

  •  Pre-authorisation number
  • Medical aid membership card/medical aid certificate
  • Patient’s identity document
  • Payment (explained below)

Each medical aid determines their own benefits. Co-payments  (when applicable) must be settled on admission.

All private mental health care users must pay the full amount on admission.  Co-payments (as determined by medical aids) Credit card facilities (for such payments) are available at the clinic.

For more information regarding admissions, please contact Vista Clinic on (012) 664-0222.

The length of an admission will be determined by the following factors:

  1. Medical aid benefits
  2. A patient’s own progress, cooperation and individual circumstances
  3. The therapeutic team

Visiting Times

Visitors/patient:        

2 visitors per visit / patient

Starting of visits after admission:    

Visitors are warmly received upon receipt of an invitation from the patient, preferably after the 48hour assessment period.

Visiting Times:

Week:

17:30 – 18:30

Weekend & Public Holidays:

11:15 – 12:00 & 14:30 – 15:30

Visitor Code of Conduct

At Vista Clinic, our patients come first — their safety, privacy, and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.

We kindly ask all visitors to respect the guidelines outlined below to ensure a calm, healing environment for everyone. Your cooperation helps us provide the best possible care to those in recovery.

  • Remain in designated visitation areas.
  • It is strictly prohibited to photograph, video record, or audio record any patient, staff member, or visitor without prior written consent. This action constitutes a violation of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the National Health Act.
  • Respect all patients’ privacy and dignity.
  • Avoid loud or disruptive behaviour.
  • Comply with requests or instructions from staff.
  • Non-compliance to above may result in:
    • Immediate termination of the visit and removal from the premises
    • Suspension or permanent revocation of visitation rights
    • Immediate deletion of the unauthorised content from the device, under staff supervision.
    • Legal action, including potential civil and criminal liability for breach of privacy or confidentiality.

Recreational Facilities

Recreation is an integral part of the treatment of mental illness. It involves a calm, homely, structured atmosphere conducive to psychological healing.

Coffee shop
Vista Clinic’s coffee shop stocks refreshments, beverages, cakes and light meals.


Televisions with limited channels are available in all patient rooms.

Garden
Vista Clinic’s garden contributes to a tranquil environment. Benches are situated all over the garden where the patients can enjoy quiet time.

This is created by interpersonal communication, provision of structure, setting of limits, use of the physical environment and participation in daily programmes.

Patients are exposed to continuous supportive therapy and crisis intervention as needed. Admission to Vista Clinic is not merely for safe admission, but it is aimed at facilitating constructive change, growth and personal development.

It is the philosophy at Vista Clinic to provide a therapeutic milieu conducive to promotion of mental health. This involves a homely atmosphere with tranquil gardens and enough living space for patients in order to prevent institutionalisation.

The 24-hour psychiatric nursing care and contact with the patient affords a unique opportunity to provide the creation and management of the therapeutic milieu.

The professional nurses individually influence the milieu through their therapeutic use of self by providing support and direction for the patients in their quest for mental health.

The well researched and carefully developed programme assist patients in their recovery and ensures maximum benefit of their stay at the clinic.

Both therapeutic and psycho-educational groups cover a variety of themes. Therapeutic groups assist in the therapeutic assimilation of the patient, where the psycho-educational groups provides much needed information and insight into the patients need to promote recovery.

Browse below to see and overview of what the psycho-educational groups have to offer.

LIST OF GROUPSMAIN TOPIC/SDISCUSSION POINTSEXPECTED OUTCOMES
Anger managementManagement of anger /aggressionWhat is anger?The anger rangeAnger – good or badThe sources of angerPhysical reaction to angerTypes of angerHandling anger
AnxietyOverview of anxiety disordersDefinitionsKinds of anxietyDimensions of anxietyOrigins of fearContributory factors to anxietyCoping methods
Anxiety breathingBreathing regulationIntroduction to breathingDuring breathingThe diaphragm’s role in breathingBreathing correctlyHyperventilationPractical breathing exercises
Anxiety disorders seriesBiologicalPsychologicalSocialSpiritual aspects of anxiety disordersBiological:What is anxietyAnxiety v fearTypes of anxiety disordersBiological causes of anxietyComorbid or co-occurring with other psychiatric disordersPsychological:Hyperventilation or over-breathingCognitive behavioural therapyRational and Irrational thinkingSocial: Social effects of anxiety disorders                 Social causes of anxiety disorders                Treatment of anxiety disordersSpiritual:Religion and AnxietyReligion supports us when anxiousSpiritual pointers to assist with anxietyTake one day at a timeBe careful of avoidance behaviourFace the fearDevelop an attitude of gratitudeMeditate on the psalmsPractice God’s presenceKeep your spirituality strong
Balanced lifestyleThe creation and importance of a balanced lifestyleDefinitionsThe importance of a balanced life stylePhysical elementsPsychological elementsSpiritual elementsSocial elementsFinancial elements
Believing in myselfSelf-esteem and the improvement thereofDefinitionsOrigin of self-esteemConsequences of low self-esteemDivisions of self-esteemSelf-image improvementSelf-confidence improvementSelf-respect improvement
Change ManagementDealing with change and the elements thereofTypes of changeEffects and responses to changeAttitudes towards changeResistanceSelf awarenessSupport structuresChange facilitating tools
CommunicationCorrect communicationDefining correct communicationBasic skills required for healthy communicationBarriers to healthy communicationFive levels of communicationRules for effective communication
Conflict managementCauses of conflict and the management thereofDefinitionsCauses of conflictConflict stylesManipulation techniquesOvercoming negative techniques
Destructive beliefsCognitive Behaviour Therapy approach to the reframing of negative / irrational thought patternsCognitive Behaviour Therapy modelDisputing destructive thought patternsIdentification of irrational thoughtsReplacing (reframing) destructive thoughtsEffects of destructive thoughtsSelf talk
Integrating life (Facing the future)Overview of using the tools gained through therapy and re-integration plan after dischargeExpected reactions on dischargeImplementation (of tools)Impact of re-integration on the individualRe-integration FamilyRe-integration workRe-integration guideline plan
ForgivenessClarification on the topic of forgivingDefining forgivenessImportance of forgivingMethods of forgiving
Grief recoveryOverview of and methods of dealing with lossFraming the concept of lossThe five faces (stages) of griefMoving towards recovery 
GuiltIdentification and processing of guiltIdentificationCauses of guiltConsequences of guiltClassification of guilt feelingsTypes of guiltMethods of dealing with guilt
Healing emotionsExploration of emotions and how to deal with themDefinitionsComponents of emotionsTypes of emotionsThe consequences of emotionsSteps to deal with emotions
Relationship seriesDealing with and understanding the elements of a romantic relationshipDefinitionsMyths with regard to relationshipsCognitive Behaviour TherapyIrrational and rational beliefsRelationship phasesRelationship structuresCommunication in a relationshipThe five love languagesCharacteristics of relationshipsConflict managementThe four horsemanManipulation
Mood disorder seriesBiologicalPsychologicalSocialSpiritual aspects of mood disordersBiologicalDefinitionsTypes of depressionBiological causes of depressionBiological aspects of depressionNeuro-transmitters and how they should workEffects of neuro-transmittersTreatment for biological aspects of depressionAntidepressant classesElectro convulsive therapyDietPsychologicalCognitive Behaviour TherapyIrrational beliefsRational beliefsToxic belief systemDisputing and challenging beliefs and automatic thinkingSocialBoundariesGood mood dietSocial health pointersSpiritualInfluencesMood disorders and spiritualityBeliefsCircumstancesGriefIsolationAngerGuiltWorryUnforgivenessSuicideHope and healingForgivenessRenewing thoughts
MotivationAspects regarding motivationDefinitionsImportance of motivationSources of motivationMotivation enhancing pointers
Seeking solutionsPractical solutions to problem solvingAspects creating the need for solutionsProblem solving skills 
Spiritual growthPrinciples on improving spiritual lifeRead the bible – do bible studyPrayPractise fellowship with others – worshipWillingness to change behaviour – obedience
Time managementAn overview of time influencing factorsWhy is time management necessaryTime wastersTime management balanceTime budgetTime saving pointersTools for effective time management

 

TIME ACTIVITY
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Occupational therapy activity sessions
10:00 Tea
10:15 Psycho education group
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Occupational psycho education group
14:45 Tea
15:00 Allied clinician activities

Breakfast, tea, lunch & supper

Vista Clinic offers a balanced diet as approved by a dietician. Should you however require a special diet recommended by your doctor we will fulfil this requirement to the best of our ability.

Occupational therapy activity sessions

These sessions are therapeutic tools for observation and the treatment of problems resulting from patient’s mental health problems.

Please note: Occupational therapy sessions are not included in the Vista Clinic fee, but will be billed separately.

Relaxation therapy (Saturday & Sunday 12:00 – 12:30)

Through scientific techniques patients are assisted and taught how to relax. Two techniques are used namely progressive relaxation and guided imagery.

 

Depression

Anxiety Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Mood Disorders

Schizophrenia

Post Discharge Support | Mindful Moment Blog

Need some advice and support after you or a family member is discharged from Vista?  We have a Blog that is specifically designed to give support and advise on how to stay healthy and happy after being discharged from Vista Clinic.  The Blog is open for everyone who need support in dealing with mental illnesses.  We would love to hear from you.  Share your comments by visiting our Blog on www.mindfulmoment.co.za