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 Media Releases Opening of New Sub-Acute Unit in Kaikohe Opening of New Sub-Acute Unit in Kaikohe
Thursday, 01 July 2010
A new regional sub acute in-patient unit has opened in Kaikohe. The unit is part of Northland DHB's Mental Health & Addictions Service and will provide intensive six week rehabilitation care and treatment to clients / tangata whaiora, aged between 18 years to 65 years, who reside in the Mid North District. Named ‘Tu kaha' which means ‘Stand Strong' - the new unit will house up to a maximum of six clients at any given time. Located at 27 Reservoir Road, the unit has four bedrooms in the main house and two bedrooms in an onsite flat. There are two bathroom facilities, a quiet lounge that can be used as a whanau room as needed, and an onsite office for staff. Northland DHB's Mental Health Services general management team said the new unit is designed to improve mental health service in the mid-north by providing a new, purpose-built facility. Most people with a mental illness do not need to be in a hospital. In fact, most manage well within the community and most mental health treatment takes place in the community. "Many of the new facilities clients will be people living in the mid north who need to access community mental health services. Creating a new facility which is a safe, functional, private and pleasant environment - enabling our staff to give clients a more supportive, supervised model of care." The unit opened on 1 July 2010, with the first patient attending on 2 July 2010. Based on a similar sub acute unit in Kaitaia, the new facility will support mental health and addictions clients that need more intensive support than their usual environment can offer. Northland DHB staff will be on-site to provide 24 hours a day, seven days a week care and observation, with visitors permitted - as and when appropriate. Clients who are a danger to others or themselves will not be at this facility. "Currently intensive rehabilitation care and treatment occurs either in Whangarei or Kaitaia, which is a long way from family and the support services necessary to assist clients in a return to their normal everyday living environment," said Community Maori Mental Health Service & Intensive Community Treatment Team manager, Manny Heta. "Clients have to travel or stay away from home, longer than is necessary, often due to distance from impatient and sub-acute services, impacting admission rates." "With the new sub-acute unit now in place, we believe we can reduce admissions and reduce length of stay in our inpatient unit by mid north residents." ENDS
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