Almost all of Wakari Hospital's mental health facilities are not fit for purpose, pose safety risks to patients and staff, and hinder appropriate treatment of patients, a critical report of the facility says. SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming said the board had commissioned the report as an "initial stocktake'' of the state of its facilities. "We are well aware that a number of the mental health, addictions and intellectual disability facilities at the Wakari site are far from ideal, and we acknowledge the great efforts of our staff to provide good care in these environments. Narrow entry and waiting room pose significant safety risk, layout not fit for purpose, roof and plaster in poor condition. Te Oranga Tonu Tanga (Maori mental health team): Built 1958, requires substantial refurbishment.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 30, 2019 15:33 UTC