The Government has announced the addition of 31 new specialist mental health beds at Manor Park Private Hospital in Lower Hutt, aimed at improving access to care and easing pressure on hospitals across the Wellington region.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said the new beds would help ensure people receive timely support in settings better suited to their needs, reducing unnecessary stays in acute hospital wards and easing demand on emergency departments.
Of the new capacity, 15 beds are designated for adults with high and complex long-term mental health needs, providing a recovery-focused environment outside traditional acute inpatient units.
A further 16 beds are for psychogeriatric care, including eight secure long-term beds for older adults and eight short-term transitional beds to support residents while long-term care needs are assessed.
Doocey said Hutt Valley and Capital Coast hospitals were currently under pressure to meet emergency department targets, and the additional beds were expected to help improve patient flow and admissions.
