Specialty Outpatient Clinics

1. Movement disorders clinic: (Director: P. Sachdev)

This is a weekly clinic involving the entire staff of the Institute, and deals with disorders such as tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia, akathisia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, etc. as well as psychiatric disorders in patients with a primary movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease. In such disorders, both psychiatric and neurological expertise is necessary so that the movement disorder and the primary psychiatric disorder of the patient can be effectively managed. A videotape record of the movement disorder is usually kept and neurophysiological recordings are obtained if necessary. The Clinic is held on Tuesday afternoon, but patient assessment may occur on another day.

2. Tourette Clinic (Director: P Sachdev)

TS patients constitute a significant proportion of the outpatient population of the unit as this the premier centre in the country for the assessment and management of these patients. The clinic meets formally on a monthly basis and is attended by a Child Psychiatrist (Dr Stephen Koder). The Clinic works closely with the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia which is a voluntary non-governmental organisation that operates from an office at the NPI. The Clinic is held on Tuesday morning, but patient assessment may occur on another day.

3. Neuropsychology Clinic (T Lee)

The NPI is the major base for neuropsychological consultations in the hospital group. The two clinical neuropsychologists provide consultations not only on NPI patients but also to the Division of Psychiatry, the Institute of Neurological Sciences, the Epilepsy Program, the Divisions of Medicine and Pathology (esp Immunology and Infectious Diseases), the Department of Radiation Oncology, and on occasion to patients referred from without. Over the years, the Neuropsychology Laboratory of the NPI has develop considerable resources in expert neuropsychological assessment, and other clinical psychologists consult our psychologists on such assessments. This Clinic functions on all week days.

4. Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Clinic: (J Trollor & P Sachdev)

This weekly clinic is a relatively new activity of the NPI, the demand for which is growing rapidly. Patients with a putative diagnosis of ADD are assessed thoroughly and their diagnosis discussed at a clinical conference. We believe that it offers the most comprehensive assessment of any such clinic in Sydney, and is the only public sector clinic for Adult ADD. As the diagnosis is still controversial, the database from this clinic will constitute an important basis for clinical research. The formal Clinic is held on Monday at noon, but detailed patient assessment occur in the preceding week.

5. Memory Disorders Clinic: (H Brodaty, P Sachdev & J. Trollor)

This weekly clinic is a joint activity of the Academic Department of Psychogeriatrics (Prof H Brodaty) and the NPI, and functions as a tertiary facility for the comprehensive assessment of memory disorders, in particular Alzheimer's Disease. This clinic has been operational for over 10 years and has a high reputation. It has been a vehicle for considerable teaching and research. The formal Clinic is held on Thursday at noon, but patient assessment if performed in the preceding 2 weeks.

6. Epilepsy and Psychiatry Clinic: (J Trollor)

This weekly clinic is held in collaboration with the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program and its Director (Dr Mackenzie), and deals with psychiatric disorders associated with epilepsy. Formal discussion of patients occurs on Thursday mornings.

7. Neuropsychiatric Consultations:

The staff of the NPI provide neuropsychiatric consultations to the patients on other wards as required. This function is performed in conjunction with the Department of Liaison Psychiatry.