There are 12 patients in Ward 11 of the mental health facility, but most — if not all — will leave inpatient care ahead of the ward’s closure next year.
The two families fear patients in the ward could be both a danger to the public and themselves if cared for in the community.
Lisa Peterson said her 40-year old brother had schizophrenia and had been in and out of hospital for half his life.
Sometimes he was fine, and could hold a good conversation.
However other times, something would "take over" — and he would become paranoid and excited.
"He’s so delusional and anyone can be caught in the crossfire with that at any point, because he’s hearing voices, he’s saying things, the voices are telling him to do things."
It was very scary to be around him at those times, because you did not know what he was capable of, she said.
He had been violent and threatening before, and had also attempted suicide.
Community-based care for her brother, and some other patients, could result in "things going really wrong".
Her family’s fears seemed to have fallen on deaf ears, and they wanted more information about what would happen next.
She, her parents, sister, and another family had formed an advocacy group and wanted to hear from others with family in the ward, she said.
The ward needed to stay open, or another facility needed to be provided with fulltime health and security staff, she said.
Among others, they had recently contacted the health minister and MPs for help.
They had also requested her brother’s police record to strengthen the point that community care would be insufficient, and asked for police opinion on the issue.
A combined statement from the Peterson family said they were worried putting severely sick and mentally unstable people into the community would be an extreme risk to others, including children and the elderly.
"We do not say this lightly."
They questioned why the health system pushed for community care in cases where it was clearly not suitable.
In Ward 11 patients could be monitored, in the community they would be reactively dealt with.
Police in particular would pick up the slack, along with emergency health providers.
Homelessness was another risk, the statement said.
"If the government system don’t want them [and] the community don’t want them, who will?"
Graeme and Mary-Anne Butler, who had a grandson with schizophrenia in Ward 11, were also calling for more information about what would happen next.
In a statement they said his journey through the mental health system was marked by struggles and setbacks, and he had been admitted to Wakari multiple times.
He had also previously attempted suicide, and once lit a fire that caused extensive damage.
"His story is a poignant reminder of the importance of compassionate and effective mental healthcare, as well as the dedication of those who love and support individuals facing such formidable challenges."
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Southern group director of operations Hamish Brown said a review of regional mental health and addiction services highlighted the need for those in Ward 11 to switch to appropriate community-based services.
The closure was announced in 2021, but work to implement the review was ongoing.
"The process to identify and contract a provider for them to stand up services to ensure residents are well supported and safe takes time."
Comcare Trust had signed on as the community provider last year.
"While they are a well-established service provider in Canterbury, the service is new to Dunedin and they are providing a new service model locally working with individuals in tenanted accommodation."
Families had been regularly updated and HNZ Southern was working with them to create tailored support packages, he said.
"The people currently resident on the ward will have a comprehensively planned, supported and graduated transition to living in the community with ongoing support from Comcare and other community support providers."
People were starting to be moved from the ward into the community, and the ward was set to close by the middle of next year.
"It is anticipated that most if not all people currently in the ward will be supported in the community.
"A small number may require transfer to another ward if they are not ready for discharge at the time of closure."
