Hawkes Bay mental health unit takes only most urgent cases

Hawke's Bay's mental health inpatient unit is closed to all but the most urgent new cases, following an influx of patients that is straining staff and facilities.

The acting manager of mental health and addiction services, Margaret Manuka-Sullivan, said the unit had not taken any new admissions since noon on Friday.

By the end of the week there were 29 patients in the unit, seven of whom needed intensive care.

Ideally, the unit should have a maximum of 22 patients, with up to four in intensive psychiatric care.

The problem was compounded by a shortage of specialist health nurses and psychiatrists, Ms Manuka-Sullivan said.

"The decision to limit new admissions has been taken to enable us to provide appropriate care for patients and ease the pressure on staff," she said.

GPs had been notified of the decision and the situation would be reviewed daily, she said.

Other mental health services were operating normally.

The last time the unit had problems with overcrowding was in February, when patient numbers hit 31, with 10 in intensive care.

Some patients had to sleep on mattresses on the floor of the activities room.

Many of the patients in the previous influx had been suffering from drug-induced psychosis.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY