Beds for mental health patients cut

Northland Health has cut the number of beds available in its mental health wing as a nationwide shortage of mental health nurses affects the region.

Its general manager of mental health Sue Wyeth said five of 31 beds are out of action because of six nursing vacancies.

News of the staff shortage comes as mental health workers around the country push for extra pay for mental health nurses to bring them to the same pay levels as general nurses.

Northland mental health workers have not taken part in industrial action because their contracts expire at a different time.

Despite the cut in bed numbers, Ms Wyeth said all patients needing hospital care had been admitted to the inpatient unit. The beds had been vacant at the time the decision was made to close them.

Three specialist mental health nurses would start on Monday, another would start by the end of September, and two more nurses were expected to start before the end of the year.

"An overseas recruitment drive planned for October will also focus on attracting mental health nurses," Ms Wyeth said.

The board was in the process of recruiting two psychiatrists, amidst a shortage in that field as well, she said.

A health board memo dated August 10 said closing the mental health beds meant a "significant reduction in occupancy".

According to the memo, patients would now sometimes have to be discharged, placed on leave at home or in respite facilities.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)