History of the Division
The Provincial Government of the Western Cape initially funded GSH-HIV Neuropsychiatry in 2006 as a response to the needs of persons living with HIV (PLWH) with severe mental illness. In response to this stimulus, and the growing recognition of the burden of mental disorders in PLWH with depressive, anxiety, substance abuse and neurocognitive disorders, we have built on this platform to develop a program of clinical service, teaching and research relevant to the field of HIV and mental health. As the Division grew, the service, teaching and research platform included old age psychiatry and related degenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, brain tumours, neuro-inflammatory diseases (such as lupus), metabolic disorders, and vascular brain conditions.
The Division has been funded by local and international agencies to investigate mechanisms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, as well as somatic and behavioural treatments for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders. The Division is recognised as a leader in the training of sub-specialist neuropsychiatrists, and to date, 6 fellows have successfully completed the program. We can train 2 fellows at any one time.
Base
The Division of Neuropsychiatry is based at Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory. Our staff are housed in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Neuroscience Centre, Groote Schuur Hospital. Our in-patient service is based in ward G22, GSH, as well as several outpatient clinics. We also support the Infectious Diseases service every Tuesday at general outpatients, as well as provide an outreach support services to the DP Marais TB hospital.
Staff
For a complete list of staff in the Division, including Academic staff and PASS in the HIV Mental Health Research Unit, please click: hivmhu.uct.ac.za (to be confirmed shortly)