Mental health unit to receive $3m investment

Te Awhina, the Whanganui District Health Board's acute inpatient mental health unit, will receive an estimated $3 million in funding to improve its services for patients.

The request for the additional funding was approved and announced by Health Minister Tony Ryall, during a visit to the District Health Board (DHB) in November.

Mr Ryall said, "This is great news for the patients and staff at Te Awhina. The community has been calling for improvements in the mental health unit and this upgrade will be a huge help. This is a welcome investment in better mental health care for Whanganui."

According to Mr Ryall, inspections of the facilities carried out by the Mental Health Commission found problems including poor quality of bedrooms and bathrooms, lack of flexible spaces, a lack of privacy, and poor heating and ventilation. These findings led the government and DHB to agree to redesign, refurbish and upgrade the mental health unit.

The government hopes the investment will demonstrate its commitment to providing for patients’ needs.