Palmerston North Acute Mental Health

This new unit will create a safe, welcoming, healing environment for those experiencing severe mental distress. Making good use of natural light to enhance the therapeutic nature of its services, the unit will also support the workforce across the acute care continuum to manage their workflow well. WSP has been providing all Engineering Services and Landscape Architecture to design these facilities, which will offer a new model of care that is culturally appropriate and flexible.

Location

Manawatū-Whanganui, New Zealand

Client

Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua - MidCentral (formerly Mid Central District Health Board)

Project Value

$66m

Project Status

2021-May 2025

Client Challenges

Based on the Ministry’s dedicated Mental Health Infrastructure Programme, Te Whatu Ora requires a new purpose-built acute mental health unit to upgrade the existing Palmerston North Hospital mental health facility.

With the facility currently described as dangerous, cold, sterile, and non-therapeutic by staff and participants of the Ministry’s assessment reports, the design needed to include Government guideline elements, like accessibility, environmental sustainability, and a reflection of Kaupapa Māori.

To meet the requirements, a new acute services block will be constructed at the front of the hospital while the existing wards will be upgraded at the same time. The unit will have 28 beds, plus two rooms for those needing a short-term stay.

WSP Solution

WSP is creating a highly sustainable design, collaborating with Jacobs and CCM who are providing lead design services, which meets the needs of the community and offers whole of life flexibility for future use.

The chosen design approach emphasises out-of-hospital prevention, promotion, and community approaches, which are consistent with contemporary models of care by putting wellbeing at the centre of the solution.

WSP is working closely with service users, Iwi, and community stakeholders to promote recovery and wellness through the unit’s functional design, also planning for activities, therapeutic programmes, and places to meet with whānau.