Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health
This report is the result of an inspection of Canterbury – Waitaha adult inpatient and associated mental health services. The Director of Mental Health has powers under section 99 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 to inspect any hospital, or any ward, unit, or other part of a hospital, in which psychiatric treatment is given.
This inspection arose from concerns the Director of Mental Health held as to whether there were systemic issues in these services.
The inspection examined not only the operational and clinical governance and functioning of the adult inpatient and associated mental health services but also how that operational and clinical governance is overseen by wider organisational processes.
The Section 99 report made nine findings and made 18 recommendations falling into three broad categories: governance; care models; and resourcing.
The overarching theme across the recommendations is the need for better cooperation between service leadership and service delivery to prioritise the service, enable staff to do their best, improve the models of care, and plan for the future.
Health New Zealand have already commenced an improvement programme on the basis of recommendations in the draft report.
The Director is undertaking a 12-month programme of active monitoring of the Canterbury – Waitaha services to provide assurance that good progress on the series of improvements continues to be made.
*Some information in the report is redacted as it is covered by a non-publication order from the Coroner’s Office. When the order is lifted, the redacted material will be published.
