Work begins on Kenepuru facility
Construction has begun on a $15 million secure facility at Kenepuru Hospital for young people dealing with mental health and addiction issues.
Young offenders with mental health or addiction issues are currently managed in adult mental health or youth justice facilities, and Nga Taiohi is the first dedicated treatment base for young people.
The 10-bed facility was a ‘‘good start’’ and would go some way in addressing some of the underlying drivers of crime, such as alcohol issues, Minister of Health Jonathan Coleman said last Thursday when turning the first sod in the construction.
‘‘ There’s often multiple factors involved,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s not like someone will just have an alcohol problem, and or a drug problem and or a mental health problem.
‘‘Often these things present with a combination of all three. That’s why, with people who are really unwell, you need a secure environment to sort those issues out, if they can’t be sorted out in the community.’’
Capital & Coast District Health Board mental health director Nigel Fairley said the facility had been a long time coming, and although it was only 10 beds, it was a good start.
‘‘If you look at the data you could put a case that it’s not enough, but it is an important development,’’ he said.
‘‘You can’t underestimate how significant this is in terms of youth services and mental health and addiction services.
‘‘We’ll see what happens in the future in terms of numbers.’’
Because young people would be coming from around the country for treatment, the district health board was looking at technology that would keep young people connected with their families, Fairley said.
The new unit is expected to be operational by April 2016.