New SI Maori Alcohol & Drug Service Announced

New SI Maori Alcohol & Drug Service Announced

The Canterbury District Health Board will be funded by the Ministry of Health to act as the lead DHB in the coordination of a new Kaupapa Maori Adult Alcohol and Other Drug Services for the South Island.

Making the announcement, CDHB General Manager of Planning & Funding Dr Karleen Edwards said the service was the outcome of a review that had taken place earlier this year, which had been widely consulted on and supported by Maori reference groups.

The service will comprise two distinct, but interrelated services of:
- A 10-12 bed residential facility
- A day programme(s) available to the service’s residents with the potential for satellite and associated community day programmes prior to, during, and post treatment.

Dr Edwards said the Canterbury District Health Board would follow a development pathway approach over the next two years based on a realistic budget, which would be met by the Ministry of Health. It was intended that service delivery would begin on 1 July next year subject to arrangements being made with the selected provider. Part of the developmental pathway will include ongoing evaluation of the service.

‘The Canterbury District Health Board is co-ordinating the implementation of this initiative on behalf of the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with the other five South Island DHBs. The initiative has the strong support of Maori service providers as well as the mental health community and the Alcohol and Other Drug Service. The new facility will bring the total number of inpatient beds in the South Island to 132.’

See attached fact sheet.

Fact Sheet

Kaupapa Maori Adult Alcohol and Other Drug Services have been highlighted as one of the top priorities in the 2003 draft South Island Service Review. The Review has been widely consulted on and is supported by Maori reference groups.

The Ministry of Health is funding the Canterbury District Health Board to provide two new services beginning 1 July 2004. The services include:
- a 10-12 bed residential facility
- a day programme(s) available to the service’s residents with the potential for associated and satellite community day programmes prior to, during, and post treatment

The projected cost is in the vicinity of $500,000

The new initiative has no connection with the CDHB’s proposal to sell the land and buildings at the former Queen Mary Hospital site in Hanmer Springs. The process for that proposal was begun several months ago.

The Ministry of Health completed its contract with the Hanmer Clinic to provide Kaupapa Maori facilities at Hanmer Springs in early August 2003.

There are nine existing providers currently offering 110 residential care beds in Canterbury with 22 on the way, not including the Hanmer Clinic. The new Kaupapa Maori facility will bring the total number of beds in the South Island to 132.

The project is part of the Ministry of Health’s intention to provide residential and outpatient drug and alcohol services for Maori in the South Island.

The initiative is fully supported by the other five South Island DHBs.

There is no indication at this stage where the residential facility will be located in the South Island. The CDHB intends following a developmental pathway approach and will begin with a scoping and service development process.

Ends……………………

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