CDHB delighted 'one-stop show' for addiction services opens

Canterbury DHB delighted ‘one-stop shop’ for addiction services opens

Canterbury DHB is delighted Tūhauora - Christchurch Central has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman today.

David Meates, Canterbury DHB Chief Executive, says Tūhauora is a consumer focused service aimed at improving access and the range and quality of services with collective and innovative approaches for clients seeking mental health and addiction services.

“Consumers will have direct access to all the supports they need via a ‘one-stop-shop’, creating a seamless system.

“The support from across the addiction services community to make this happen has been remarkable.

“An integrated and connected service is the right thing to be doing for our consumers as the quakes have really accentuated that need.”

Mr Meates says the opening marks a significant milestone.

“This journey towards better collaboration across addiction services began more than six years ago then the Canterbury earthquakes came along and put everything on hold,” he says.

“So it’s just fantastic to finally have opened this great centrally located service.”

Odyssey House Trust led the development of the centre and is contracted by Canterbury DHB to manage the service operation of Tūhauora – Christchurch Central. It will link closely with other government, community and Non-Government Organisation (NGO) addiction services as well as Canterbury DHB’s specialist mental health services.

This collaborative central service means there will be:

• A consistent approach

• Better access to services

• Quicker response to consumers

• Identifying gaps in treatment – develop new approaches

• Moves to increase peer support involvement.

“It will lead to greater developments in treatment and care and means those providing care have access to better peer support, which in turn benefits our consumers because it means they have a team of people supporting them,” Mr Meates says.

“Having everyone centralised will also create more seamless referrals into treatment with decreased wait times.”

The new service is based at 15 Washington Way and will be open 8.30-7.30pm Monday-Friday and Saturday 10-2pm, with a view to increase the hours in the weekend.

ENDS

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