Some of these needing inpatient psychological well being care in Christchurch, have a brand new house with two new buildings lastly in operation at Hillmorton Hospital.

The new buildings are a stark distinction from the present amenities which one former affected person has described as “pretty dire.” A former affected person instructed 1News that, though it is no “magic bullet, the benefits of the upgrade will be huge.

Te Whatu Ora Canterbury mental health facilities clinical lead Rebecca Webster said the new facilities will provide inpatient services for child and adolescent mental health.

“They’ll also provide inpatient services for our mothers and babies and eating disorder consumers and also some of our consumers from Princess Margaret who require extended treatment or rehabilitation support,” she said.

Until now those services have been based at Princess Margaret Hospital in Cashmere, but the aging site wasn’t fit for purpose. On three occasions last year, it had no running water.

Webster said: “These amenities have been desperately wanted for fairly a lot of years, so we have been in design for these amenities since 2019 when the Government authorised the funding so it has been a very long time coming.”

The Health Minister opened the buildings in May and patients were due to move in the following month, but that had been delayed for “operational and medical security causes”.

Te Whatu Ora Canterbury’s clinical director of Child, Adolescent and Family services, Valerie Black, said the new environment comes with new treatment options.

“It will be very great to be finally in,” she stated.

“We have this stunning room that we name our moon room. And that is a really low gentle sensory house, with loads of sensory gadgets, and that may assist you to de-escalate in a relaxing method after which we’ve got a health club in order that for individuals who must de-escalate by extra lively motion.”

Meanwhile, an on-site classroom has breakout rooms available.

Southern Health School principal Helen Mantell said: “The teachers are really excited to get into the space and have the students coming in and working in different ways, different options of learning that will mean they can progress in their learning.”

Staff really feel the brand new buildings will supply a way of hope, in keeping with Webster.

“I believe that is going to be actually life-changing for individuals who you understand use our companies but additionally our workers,” she stated.