Step-down unit would help Ward 27

PSA Press Release
Attention: Health reporters April 26, 2004

Step-down unit would help Ward 27

Wellington Hospital’s Ward 27 requires extra funding to enable its’ step-down unit to reopen, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said today.

“The Rangitui step-down unit is a facility which could be used to accommodate clients who do not require acute care. Our mental health nurses believe the re-opening of the Rangitui step-down unit, even as a temporary measure, would go some way towards alleviating the overcrowding in ward 27.”

Richard Wagstaff said a proposal whereby non-governmental organisations interface with district health boards to create “seamless care” for mental health clients in the community was currently being worked on but was still some way off from being up and running. There was an urgent need to relieve the overcrowding.

Richard Wagstaff said overcrowding was one issue PSA members working at the unit were grappling with, but so was the old and outdated accommodation.

“Ward 27 is old and ill-designed for its’ present needs. Our members are calling for a firm date for the building of a purpose-built unit.”

ENDS

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