Govt adds 31 specialist mental health beds to boost care in Lower Hutt

Doocey said the additional capacity will ensure more people receive timely, appropriate support in environments designed specifically for their needs.

 

The Government has announced a significant expansion of mental health services, with 31 new specialist beds opening at Manor Park Private Hospital in Lower Hutt. Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey revealed the investment during a visit to the facility, describing it as a major step toward improving access, easing pressure on acute services, and delivering better outcomes for people with complex needs.

Faster Access and Better Care

Doocey said the additional capacity will ensure more people receive timely, appropriate support in environments designed specifically for their needs.

“These new beds will ensure more people receive faster access to the right support, in the right place. The beds will help reduce unnecessary hospital stays, ease pressure on emergency departments, and most importantly deliver better care,” he said.

Breakdown of the New Specialist Beds

The 31 new beds include a mix of services aimed at addressing both adult and older persons’ mental health needs:

1. Adult Long-Term Mental Health Care – 15 Beds

• Designed for people with high and complex long-term mental health needs

• Provides a recovery-focused, therapeutic environment

• Offers a more suitable setting than traditional acute inpatient units

2. Psychogeriatric Services – 16 Beds

• 8 long-term secure-care beds for older adults requiring ongoing specialist support

• 8 transitional-care beds to assist Wellington and Hutt Valley residents while long-term needs are assessed

These additions are expected to relieve pressure on acute wards and emergency departments in both the Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast regions, which currently sit below the national target of admitting, discharging or transferring patients within six hours.

Improving Long-Term Support

Doocey highlighted the need to shift away from placing people with long-term or complex conditions in facilities that are not equipped to meet their needs.

“Currently, too many people who require long-term support are placed in facilities that are not meeting their needs. By opening these additional long-term beds, we can ensure this changes,” he said.

The new units are designed to offer therapeutic care, improved living environments, and greater stability for patients whose conditions require sustained specialist support.

Strengthening Mental Health Infrastructure

The Minister emphasised that high-quality mental health care relies on strong infrastructure that supports clinicians and staff to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care.

The new beds form part of the Government’s broader mental health plan, which focuses on:

• Faster access to mental health support

• Increasing frontline workforce capacity

• Improving crisis response systems

Doocey said the investment represents a tangible commitment to rebuilding the system after years of strain and unmet demand.