A major makeover is confirmed for a troubled ward at Wakari Hospital.
Yesterday, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) announced the ward 10A refurbishment was planned to begin in mid-2026 and take up to 12 months.
Naylor Love Dunedin will complete the work. This will enable patients to move into 9A temporarily.
Ward 10A supports people over the age of 18 who have an intellectual disability and require assessment, care and treatment in a secure hospital environment.
It has been plagued with controversy in the past.
It came under fire from the Office of the Ombudsman in two separate reports about a decade ago, which outlined the lack of resources for patients and carers, the outdated setting and the lack of solitary space.
Then-chief ombudsman Peter Boshier deemed it a "volatile environment".
HNZ Southern group director of operations Craig Ashton said yesterday he was proud to see this work happening.
"This investment will improve conditions for patients and our hardworking staff, and ensure our facilities remain fit for purpose over the next five to 10 years.
"We are committed to strengthening mental health services across the Southern district. This project is an important step in ensuring people receive care in environments that promote recovery and dignity."
To ensure patients could continue to access services during this time, improvement works will be completed in Wakari’s ward 9A, he said.
The scope of work to be completed in ward 10A would also require the ward to be closed during construction.
Poppy Stowell, organiser at the Public Service Association, which represents the nurses, mental health assistants, allied health and admin workers across wards 10A and 9A, said it was good to hear something was going ahead, but she wanted assurances that certain measures were addressed.
"Of major priority and concern is the health and safety of patients and members in this co-located environment.
"Members say that both wards have a history of assaults and have had numerous staff on ACC as a result of workplace injury. Co-locating intellectually disabled and forensic patients must be very carefully managed to reduce the risk of harm.
"Our members have also asked for additional training so they can provide suitable care to patients with different needs".
She said she expected HNZ to assess and mitigate these risks, as well as listening and engaging with members throughout the process.
