Key Takeaways:
- The new Lakes Mauri Ora mental health facility in Rotorua is expected to open by the middle of the year, with a budget of $50m.
- The facility will provide more beds and a more conducive environment for healing and recovery, but some community leaders believe it does not meet current demands.
- Health NZ is working to increase the range and number of residential care beds in the community, in addition to community mental health services.
- The facility’s construction was delayed due to Covid-19, but is now in the final stages of completion.
- Community leaders are hopeful that the new facility is the beginning of a wider strategy to invest in multiple solutions to support mental health care in Rotorua.
Introduction to the New Facility
The new Lakes Mauri Ora mental health facility in Rotorua is nearing completion, with an expected opening date set for the middle of the year. The facility has been in the works for several years, with initial plans announcing a budget of $33m, which was later increased to $50m. Ground preparation works began in November 2022, and construction is now in the final stages. The facility is expected to provide a more conducive environment for healing and recovery, with a focus on supporting patients with complex mental health needs.
Construction and Budget
The construction of the new facility was initially expected to start in the second half of 2021, but was delayed due to Covid-19. The project was expected to take about two years to complete, but the delay has pushed the completion date back. Despite the delay, Health NZ Lakes District group director of operations Alan Wilson confirmed that the project remains within the $50m budget. Wilson stated that the technical systems are being commissioned, landscaping has started, and final inspections and approvals are being completed. The facility is expected to open to patients after a formal building opening, with the timing to be confirmed.
Community Response
Community leaders have expressed mixed reactions to the new facility. Piringa Wellness chief executive Kirsty Maxwell-Crawford welcomed the new facility, stating that it is a "much-needed facility" that will provide a more conducive environment for healing and recovery. However, she noted that the number of beds is "nowhere near what is needed to meet current demands". Te Arawa tribal health authority Te Mana Hauora o Te Arawa Trust co-chairwoman Huhana Clayton-Evans expressed concern that the facility was "supposed to be finished already" and that the "extra couple of beds don’t seem to warrant the cost and the delay of the massive new facility on Pukeroa hill".
Health NZ’s Response
In response to the community’s concerns, Wilson stated that Health NZ recognizes the excitement and anticipation for the new facility. He emphasized that the organization is taking the time to ensure everything is right with the building, adding the finishing touches, and focusing on staff training in the more advanced features of the new facility. Wilson also noted that inpatient hospital beds are only one part of a robust mental health service, and that it is increasingly necessary to have suitable residential care beds in the community. He stated that work is ongoing to increase the range and number of residential care beds in the Lakes community.
Future Plans
Health NZ is having discussions about the early and appropriate provision of residential care services, in addition to community mental health services. Maxwell-Crawford expressed hope that the new facility is the beginning of a wider strategy to invest in multiple solutions to support mental health care in Rotorua. Wilson’s statement suggests that Health NZ is committed to increasing the range and number of residential care beds in the community, which could help to reduce the demand on inpatient hospital beds. The new facility is expected to be an important step in supporting mental health care in Rotorua, but it is clear that more work needs to be done to address the complex mental health needs of the community.
Conclusion
The new Lakes Mauri Ora mental health facility in Rotorua is a significant development in the region’s mental health care landscape. While the facility is expected to provide a more conducive environment for healing and recovery, community leaders have expressed concerns about the number of beds and the delay in completion. Health NZ has responded by emphasizing the importance of residential care beds in the community and the need for a robust mental health service. As the facility nears completion, it is clear that more work needs to be done to address the complex mental health needs of the community, and that the new facility is just one part of a larger strategy to support mental health care in Rotorua.
