Information about CAMH for clients and families: Part 4

Additional information for inpatients

Cost of treatment

If you are an Ontario resident and the services you receive are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), you will not have to pay. This includes any hospital care or doctor's services. Please bring your health insurance card and any private insurance information before you start treatment.

If you are a Canadian resident covered by another provincial health care plan, you need approval from your home province health care plan before receiving treatment at CAMH.

When you are admitted, please provide your provincial health card and your address in the province where you are a resident.

If you are a refugee, please provide proof of refugee status.

If you do not yet have a health card, please provide proof of your immigration status.

If you are a non-resident of Canada, please contact CAMH’s Admitting Department to discuss your situation and payment options: 416 535-8501 ext. 6929 or ext. 7062.

Rooms

CAMH has some semi-private and private rooms. We assign rooms according to the individual needs of clients and the availability of beds. If your treatment needs a semi-private or private room, OHIP covers the cost.

If you want a semi-private or private room and it is not essential to your treatment, you may ask for one, if rooms are available. These charges are usually not covered by provincial health care plans, so you or your private health insurance company will need to pay for the room.

To have your insurance plan pay for any costs, when you are admitted you must show us your:

• valid provincial health card
• insurer's name
• name of guarantor (person holding insurance)
• guarantor's employer details
• policy number of insurance plan
• insurance policy identification number for the client/patient, if applicable.

What to bring

You may wish to prepare some belongings before coming to stay at one of our sites. Here are some suggestions:

• a three- or four-day wardrobe of casual, comfortable clothing for most services (all of our sites have laundry facilities)
• sleep wear (for example, robe, pyjamas or gown, slippers)
• personal toiletries (for example, brush, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene products)
• a small amount of cash (including change) for outings, pay phones, vending machines, stamps, newspapers, snacks, etc.
• reading material, writing paper, small hobby supplies (except sharp objects like scissors or sewing needles)
• any medications you are taking
• radio, curling iron and hair dryer, if they are CSA approved. (These items may be securely stored for you outside of your room.)

What not to bring

• your car
• camera, recording device, cell phone, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA) or any electric appliance
• valuables, such as jewellery or credit cards
• sharp objects, such as razor, scissors, nail clippers

Television

Televisions are located in the common areas and lounges in CAMH's units. Private TV rental is not available at any of our sites.

Telephones, messages and mail

Courtesy phones are available for local calls—please ask where the nearest phone is located. Inpatient rooms do not have telephones. Each unit handles incoming phone calls and mail differently, so please check with your care team.

Medication

Please bring all the medications you are taking—prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins and supplements. Medications should be labelled and in their original containers. A CAMH physician will look at what you are taking and will work with you on a treatment plan. A CAMH physician may also prescribe other medication. CAMH Pharmacy Services will provide your medication while you are an inpatient.

If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment or changes in your medication, please speak with a member of your care team.

Money and valuables

Your unit will have a procedure for taking care of your money and valuables. Ask your case manager. We recommend that you leave valuables at home, and only bring what money you will need during your stay.

Visitors

We encourage family and friends to visit you as often as you want. Children are welcome, but an adult must accompany those under 12 years. In certain circumstances, staff may restrict visiting privileges. In some instances, visitors may be allowed but staff may request that visits be kept short and that only one or two people visit at a time. 

Visiting hours and procedures vary throughout CAMH. Please speak to a member of your treatment team for information on your specific program.

Some of this information will be different for people visiting clients in our Law and Mental Health Program. Please talk to your care team.

Recreation and leisure facilities

Some CAMH sites have a gym. The gyms are used by clients and staff by appointment. If you want to use the gym, please ask a member of your care team what program activities are being offered.

Safety and security

Your safety while at CAMH is important to us. If you feel uncomfortable or experience an injury of any kind, please let your care team know.

For your protection, Security Services are located at each CAMH site. At most sites security is available 24 hours a day. Our security staff will help if there is an emergency. Also contact Security Services if you lose, or find, an item.

To reach Security Services, please call:

• the switchboard at 416 535-8501
• ext. 4846 at the College Street site
• ext. 6360 at the Russell Street site.

Fire safety

If there is a fire, follow these steps to ensure your own and other people's safety:

• Remove everyone from immediate danger
• Tell a staff member
• Close doors to contain the fire
• Evacuate the area
• Do not use the elevators.

No smoking

CAMH is smoke-free facility. This is part of our commitment to providing a safe, healthy and healing environment for our clients, staff and visitors.

There is no smoking in any CAMH building, within nine metres of any entrance or air intake area, or in any other designated non-smoking areas.

If you smoke and cannot make it outside, speak to your care team about alternatives such as nicotine replacement therapy (for example, patch, gum or inhaler).

Laundry

Inpatients can use CAMH’s laundry facilities to wash their own clothes. CAMH is responsible for washing sheets and towels. 

Meals and snacks

Food Services provide all meals and snacks for inpatients. Most units have access to a dining area. Meals are offered cafeteria style, and through a special-diet/tray service. We can accommodate dietary restrictions and special requirements. Meal times vary throughout CAMH.

You can buy snacks and drinks at various locations throughout CAMH. Cafeterias are open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. There are also vending machines in the coffee shop, where you can buy snacks and drinks at any time.

Spiritual and religious services

A multi-faith team of spiritual and religious caregivers is available to give you spiritual and religious care, whatever your spiritual beliefs. This team offers visits, support and worship services for individuals and groups at all CAMH sites.

Regular worship services in a number of faith traditions are held at CAMH’s Queen Street and College Street sites. They include an Anglican service, ecumenical worship, Hindu worship, Jewish prayer service, multi-faith worship, Muslim prayers, Native healing circle, Rastafarian service and Roman Catholic Mass.

For more information or times and locations of services, please call 416 535-8501 ext. 2189, or e-mail chaplain@camh.net.

Dental care

Many of our clients are at high risk for dental disease. CAMH's Dental Clinic helps you care for your teeth. If you are receiving inpatient services at CAMH, you can get most dental work done for free. For more information, please leave your name and number at 416 535-8501 ext. 2133.

High-school education

The Toronto District School Board provides high-school education courses at CAMH’s College Street site.

Inpatients and outpatients aged 21 and under who need to complete high-school credit courses may attend these classes. For more information, please call 416 535-8501 ext. 4082 or ext. 4014.

Discharge

We want to make sure that the right arrangements are made when you are ready to leave CAMH. To do this, your care team will discuss plans with you well before your discharge. A team member, such as a social worker, can help you plan for discharge and link you with follow-up care in the community, support groups, and referrals for housing, work and income support.

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