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Public Service

Auckland DHB Community Neurobehavioural Service (CNS) - Regional Service

Hours

CNS team members work part-time, usually between 8.00am - 5.00pm.
CNS does not operate a 24-hour or crisis service. Crisis cover is provided by the regional Community Mental Health Centres or District Health Boards.

Description

Community Neurobehavioural Service - Service Information

The core function of the Community Neurobehavioural Service (CNS) team is to provide a psychological service for people who have an acquired brain injury and experience emotional and/or behavioural difficulties relating to that injury. The services provided include assessment, psychological therapy and behaviour management (working in clinic or home setting). The CNS team works collaboratively with individuals and their families/whanau/caregivers to better manage the cognitive, behavioural and emotional sequelae following brain injury. CNS is a small team comprising members from various disciplines, including: psychiatry, psychology and nursing. The team is geographically located in Pt Chevalier, Auckland, but provides a community based service to Auckland and Northland regions. CNS provides a free service.

 

Initial assessments are conducted to ascertain psychological treatment needs of individuals and their families/whanau/caregivers. Neuropsychological assessments may be conducted to inform the interventions of the CNS team (referrals are not accepted if the request is solely for neuropsychological testing). Following the initial assessment, the CNS team will tailor a program to the needs of the client and family/whanau/caregivers. This may involve a combination of the following: brain injury education, psychological therapy, staff training, behavioural management and medication management.

 The CNS team also provides a consultation service to other service providers including Community Mental Health Services and Community Alcohol and Drug Services. CNS does not provide crisis assessment and support. 

 
Referral Sources
Referrals are accepted from any source, including self-referral. Non-clinicians are encouraged to facilitate referrals through the client’s GP, to ensure all relevant medical and medication history is provided. The CNS referral form, along with supporting documentation, can be faxed/posted to the above address. Please click here for a referral form.
Please do not hesitate to contact CNS if you would like to discuss a potential referral or if you require further information about the service.
 
Prioritisation
Priority will be given to referrals for service users who are in the public system or under the Ministry of Health as these clients cannot readily access ACC or private services.  

Referral Expectations

Entry Criteria:
Service users must meet all of the following criteria:
·        have documented evidence of acquired brain injury
·        experience emotional and/or behavioural difficulties relating to that injury
·        live within the Auckland or Northland region
·        be aged under 65 years.
    
Acquired Brain Injury Criteria: 
An acquired insult to the brain must be verified by supporting documentation that corroborates an injury. Types of acquired brain injury that are core business for CNS include:
  • traumatic brain injury - resulting from accident/assault
  • non-traumatic brain injury - e.g. cerebrovascular accidents, hypoxic injury, neurotoxicity, infective disorders, demyelinating disorders.
Criteria for Emotional/Behaviour Difficulties:
The individual’s behaviour must be impacting on a person’s functional capacity and may be disruptive to one or more of the following: activities of daily living, community activities, and/or interpersonal and professional relationships. Such behaviours could include, but are not limited to:
  • irritability, verbal and physical aggression
  • lack of self-care or activity
  • mood and anxiety disorders
  • adjustment difficulties
  • significant cognitive changes that impact on function and/or behaviour.
Behaviour change may be a direct result of organically based behaviour dyscontrol (e.g. poor executive functioning). It may also be due to difficulties with adjustment to the consequences of brain injury (resulting in e.g. anxiety, depression or grief). 

Document Downloads

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Website

www.adhb.govt.nz

Location Information

Contact Details

Phone (09) 815 5643
Fax (09) 815 5642

Street Address

Community Neurobehavioural Service
A-Wing, Rehab Plus Building
54 Carrington Road
Pt Chevalier
Auckland 1246

Postal Address

Community Neurobehavioural Service
PO Box 44-037
Pt Chevalier
Auckland 1246

Map & more information

Click here for a map and more information about this location.

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