Staff at Wakari Hospital’s Ward 10a in Dunedin have defended their professionalism and commitment amid recent criticisms and the ward’s closure to new admissions by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ). The 12-bed unit, which caters to adults with intellectual disabilities requiring secure inpatient care, has faced scrutiny over patient treatment and the condition of its facilities.

In a joint letter to HNZ and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey, unions representing nurses and medical staff emphasized that despite working under difficult circumstances—including an ageing, inadequate facility and a challenging, sometimes violent environment—staff consistently provided person-centred and therapeutic care. Nurses on the ward reported experiencing physical injuries related to restraint interventions and stressed that incidents of violence reflected the complexities inherent in their specialized work. The unions called for a complete rebuild of the ward, arguing that refurbishment efforts were insufficient and highlighting longstanding requests for improved infrastructure dating back more than a decade.

HNZ has acknowledged concerns regarding the quality of care at Ward 10a, citing restrictive practices, extended seclusion periods, and a lack of rehabilitation options as reasons for relocating patients and pausing scheduled upgrades. Officials have cited multiple reports, including a 2022 ombudsman’s investigation, which described the ward's environment as volatile and unsuitable. A 2019 review similarly pointed to safety risks for patients and staff associated with the facility’s design and conditions, alongside a high rate of incidents.

Minister Doocey criticized both HNZ and the previous government for failing to address these serious issues in a timely manner, calling attention to the several years during which problems were documented but unresolved. He urged greater accountability and leadership on mental health facility standards. In response, Taieri MP Ingrid Leary cautioned against politicizing the situation, characterizing the challenges at Ward 10a as systemic and long-standing. Nevertheless, she called on the government and HNZ to provide transparency regarding patient relocations and assurances that appropriate care continues outside the ward, stressing concerns over any transfers to non-specialist facilities such as correctional centers.

HNZ has declined to disclose the costs associated with the planned ward upgrades, citing commercial sensitivity, and has not publicly addressed calls for detailed explanations of their plans to ensure safe, high-quality care for this vulnerable patient group following Ward 10a’s closure.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the need to improve mental health infrastructure and providing immediate, safe care for patients with complex needs. Staff and union representatives warn that premature closure without suitable alternatives could adversely affect both patients and the workforce, underlining a call for clear evidence-based strategies to guide future service design.