Warning: This story contains details some readers may find distressing
Palmerston North Hospital’s new mental health ward.
Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham
Palmerston North Hospital’s long-awaited new mental health ward could open late next month – a decade after the present facility was declared unfit for purpose.
Construction of the the $65 million facility started in 2023.
Shaun Gray died by suicide in April 2014 at Palmerston North Hospital mental health ward.
Photo: Supplied
“We don’t have an official opening date yet for the acute mental health unit, but it’s currently scheduled to be late September,” said a Health NZ spokesperson.
In 2015, the current ward, which is about 20 years old, was declared unfit for purpose during investigations and reviews into the deaths of two ward patients the previous year.
Shaun Gray died by suicide in April 2014, while Erica Hume died in a suspected suicide the following month.
In a lengthy decision released this year, Coroner Matthew Bates found Gray was failed by staff at a facility that was not up to scratch.
“All available steps should be taken to ensure the new inpatient facility currently under construction opens as soon as possible to ensure mental health service users in the region can receive the best available care in a much safer environment than the current ward 21,” the coroner wrote.
He is yet to deliver his findings into Hume’s death.
Before the 2020 election, then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a new $35m ward had ministerial sign-off and was to open in late 2022, but that date came and went without construction beginning.
Then, in early 2023, it was revealed that costs had escalated.
Health NZ MidCentral group director of operations Sarah Fenwick said a “detailed transition plan” would ensure the move between wards as smooth for patients and their families.
“This includes orientation to the new facility, and allowing time for staff and patients to become familiar with the new environment. Our priority is to support continuity of care and wellbeing throughout the transition.”
Health NZ was recruiting to make sure the new unit was fully staffed when it opened, Fenwick said.
“Registered nurse posts are currently being advertised and we are optimistic that these roles will be filled in time to reflect the increased capacity of the new facility.”
Fifty-five full-time equivalent nurses worked at the ward and there were 3.3 full-time equivalent vacancies. Six full-time equivalent doctor positions are full, with four vacancies among health service assistants.
Since 2014, other patients at the mental health ward have died in suspected suicides or suicides, either onsite or after leaving hospital grounds.
RNZ has previously reported the death of 19-year-old patient Braden on the ward.
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666
Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds
Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, and English.
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.