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Podcast: Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald
Episode: John MacDonald: When it comes to mental health, the Govt is failing us
Description: Yesterday, health authorities announced a delay in the decision whether to close an in-patient mental health unit at Hillmorton Hospital, in Christchurch. There are 15 beds at the Tupuna ward and there’s a proposal to close it because Hillmorton only has about half the number of staff needed to run it. Tupuna is what’s called an “extended care unit”, and is for people with mental health issues who need care longer than people who can be looked after at the acute inpatient unit. It provides 24-hour care - but it’s facing closure be...