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The Secure Observation & Treatment Unit (SOTU) is an eight-bed unit located at the Queen Street site of CAMH. It is operated by the Law and Mental Health Program. SOTU serves other clinical programs at CAMH as well as other facilities in the Greater Toronto Area. The mandate of SOTU is the interim assessment, treatment and stabilization of adult male inpatients with major mental illness who are aggressive and/or represent an elopement risk, and cannot be managed safely in other settings on account of aggressive behaviour. Once stabilized, patients are transferred back to the referring unit or facility. Discharge planning is not provided on SOTU and outpatient psychiatric care is not available from SOTU.

All referrals are screened by way of telephone contact with the unit psychiatrist and/or the unit manager. In some cases, the patient will be assessed at the referring unit or facility by SOTU staff prior to acceptance for transfer. The acceptance of each patient to SOTU is at the discretion of the psychiatrist and unit manager, with input from the treatment team. Acceptance requires a contract for return of the patient to the referring unit or facility, at such time this is considered appropriate by the attending psychiatrist on SOTU.

 Contact Information:

Nursing Station                             (416) 535-8501, Extension 3665

Dr. Colleton, Unit Psychiatrist     (416) 535-8501, Extension 2958

Michael MacNeil, Manager          (416) 535-8501, Extension 1154