Health New Zealand wants to establish a private \u2018\u2018peer-led\u2019\u2019 mental health facility in the Southern district.<\/p>\n
The proposal, which is advertised on the Government Electronic Tender Service (Gets) website, says the government is procuring the design, establishment and delivery of a new \u2018\u2018six-bed, peer-led\u2019\u2019 acute alternative service that operates 24 hours a day and \u2018\u2018provides a short-stay, community-based alternative to inpatient mental health admission for adults experiencing acute mental distress in the Southern district\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We are seeking a provider (or partnership\/consortium) who shares our commitment to transforming acute mental health responses through a peer-led, recovery-focused, culturally responsive alternative to inpatient admission,\u2019\u2019 HNZ tender documents said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018At the heart of this service is choice, dignity, safety and connection for t\u0101ngata whaiora and their wh\u0101nau.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The tender documents indicate the most likely location for the facility would be in Queenstown, but Invercargill and Cromwell could also be considered.<\/p>\n
Dunedin has not been considered as a possible site.<\/p>\n
Peer-governed means that at least 50% of the governance members of an organisation (trustees, board members) have personal \u2018\u2018lived\u2019\u2019 experience of mental distress and\/or addiction.<\/p>\n
Documents accompanying the tender invitation said the desire for a peer-led service stemmed from a review of mental healthcare in the Southern district by consulting firm Synergia in 2021.<\/p>\n
It was decided in the review that \u2018\u2018new models of care\u2019\u2019 in mental health services needed to be explored in the district.<\/p>\n
It was expected the budget for the first year of the roll-out would be $1.5million, the HNZ documents said.<\/p>\n
The successful organisation would work alongside HNZ to \u2018\u2018sustain a new acute service at pace\u2019\u2019, \u2018\u2018recruit, support and retain a skilled peer workforce, alongside appropriate clinical and cultural capability\u2019\u2019, and have \u2018\u2018robust systems for clinical governance, quality assurance, risk management and reporting\u2019\u2019, as well as being financially viable and able to deliver the service within the approved funding envelope.<\/p>\n
Phone services would also have to be prepared to operate beyond standard business hours, while all peer-led services could be accessed by \u2018\u2018self-referral\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
HNZ national director for mental health and addictions Phil Grady said Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced in November two new peer-led acute alternative services to reduce inpatient ward admissions.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018HNZ will work with local health and social sector providers, iwi and hauora M\u0101ori, inpatient and crisis teams, the peer support and lived experience workforce and other relevant stakeholders to develop and deliver the new six-bed service in the Southern district.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018This service will complement the peer-led acute alternative service that is already established in Canterbury. There is one other peer-led service already established in Auckland.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Mr Grady said it was expected the service would be delivered by a community-based non-government organisation, or through a partnership or consortium arrangement.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Referrals for this service are expected to be made through local mental health services following a clinical assessment.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The criteria will be:<\/p>\n
\u25cfpeople who have a need for intensive acute treatment and support due to an escalation of their illness.<\/p>\n
\u25cfpeople who require 24-hour clinical supervision in an acute residential setting to prevent admission to an inpatient unit or as a graduated step towards discharge from an inpatient unit.<\/p>\n
The procurement phase is under way and expectations are the initial service delivery will begin towards the end of this year.<\/p>\n