Mentally ill Waikato patients may be moved

Waikato's mentally ill offenders may be sent to secure units outside the region when more than 200 mental health nurses strike for better pay next month.

Moving the offenders is among options to deal with the impending strike of about 350 mental health nurses from the Waikato, Lakes and Bay of Plenty District Health Boards, including about 220 from the Waikato.

Others include assessing the role of community organisations to provide care, and making arrangements for mentally ill patients in the community.

The strike is due to start at 3am on July 2.

Waikato nurses want a 3.4 per cent pay, rise backdated to October last year, followed by a 3.4 per cent increase in October.