New buildings at Hillmorton Hospital are “changing the narrative” about inpatient mental health care in Waitaha Canterbury

After numerous reviews, news reports and complaints about the poor state of New Zealand’s mental health units, newly opened facilities at Hillmorton Hospital are already making a big difference.

The $81.8 million project began in 2019, after the Government approved funding as part of its response to He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction. 

In early September, staff and tāngata whaiora moved into the newly opened buildings, closing the doors on some of Christchurch’s oldest and most run-down mental health facilities. 

The first building houses 16 inpatient beds for children and teenagers, seven beds for patients with eating disorders and six mothers’ and babies’ beds. It also houses a school.

The second building—named Wāhi Oranga, or place of wellness—provides care for tāngata whaiora who require extended treatment or rehabilitation support. The unit houses 16 adult inpatient beds.

The new buildings, which include centralised courtyards, single rooms, and flexible spaces, are a massive improvement on previous facilities, which have been described as “horrible” and “bleak”.

Specialist Mental Health Services Acting General Manager Vicki Dent says the new buildings offer a therapeutic place of care for those suffering with acute mental illness.

“They are absolutely fabulous. They are warm and welcoming. There are so many lovely different spaces, and it has been designed as a therapeutic environment. Everyone has their own room and ensuite, so there is that privacy and dignity … ”

“We hope it’s a positive space for everyone, including staff.”

New facilities do produce better outcomes for staff and tāngata whaiora. A post-implementation review of the new Tiaho Mai mental health inpatient unit at Middlemore Hospital reported a significant reduction in reported physical and verbal assaults on staff, incidents of restraint, incidents of self-harm/attempted suicide and people absconding.

Ms Dent said the new buildings were an important opportunity to change the narrative after years of reviews and reports on the poor state of inpatient mental health facilities in New Zealand.

“If someone has heard that the facilities are awful, that can make them feel nervous and apprehensive about coming in.”

“Hopefully now they can feel positive about coming in here and their families can feel positive about them coming in here.”

"It is going to make a big difference."

- 19 October 2023