Dr Vanessa Caldwell is leaving MidCentral Health to take up an appointment as deputy health and disability commissioner. The departure of a top official from MidCentral Health has created uncertainty about the leadership of mental health services ahead of the construction of a long-awaited new ward. Dr Vanessa Caldwell, the health board’s mental health and addictions services operations executive, is leaving to take up a five-year appointment as deputy health and disability commissioner. “[MidCentral] is considering options in respect to the clinical executive role, however, to ensure clinical leadership and insight remains part of all decision-making within the directorate, Scott will be supported by senior [mental health and addictions services] clinicians in the interim.”READ MORE:* Palmerston North Hospital mental health ward full to bursting* Health officials say new mental health ward on track to meet deadlines* Design work on new Palmerston North Hospital mental health ward under wayDAVID UNWIN/Stuff A new mental health ward at Palmerston North Hospital is expected to open in 2022. It’s a pivotal moment too in MidCentral’s provision of mental health services, as the design of a new ward at Palmerston North Hospital takes shape.

Source: Stuff August 07, 2021 00:45 UTC