A new mental health crisis respite care facility is to open in Dunedin.
The five-bed home, which is due to open in September this year, is the result of an expanded service contract between the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) and community service provider Pact.
It will provide adults experiencing acute mental distress with 24-hour in-home support in a residential environment less than 10 minutes from Dunedin Hospital.
The Pact-owned and run property will be furnished in home-like surroundings and support will emphasise privacy, dignity, wellbeing, comfort, safety, and easy access to a tranquil garden setting.
SDHB mental health, addictions and intellectual disabilities executive director Toni Gutschlag said the new partnership would provide people in crisis with professional, clinically led community-based support rather than hospitalisation, enabling them to remain closer to home.
