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By Natalie Akoorie of RNZ A Waikato mental health facility was so overcrowded at least one patient slept on a mattress on the floor of a conference room for two nights as staff grappled with high occupancy. The overcrowding at the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre (HRBC) at Waikato Hospital meant the facility was operating at up to 115 per cent occupancy in late April and early May. The centre was lambasted by the Chief Ombudsman in early 2020 for subjecting patients to degrading treatment including overcrowding and the high use of seclusion and physical restraints.

A $131 million rebuild of the facility set to open in mid-2026 will cater for only 64 beds, one fewer than was needed this month. Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Waikato mental health and addictions operations director Vicki Aitken said 65 patients were in adult acute beds on May 2 at the centre, which has a capacity of 60 beds. Aitken said for the two weeks to 3 May 3, the centre operated between 100 and 115 per cent occupancy, with the four adult wards generally operating above 100 per cent.



“When this occurs we have additional spaces that we convert into bedrooms. These are a combination of interview rooms and quiet lounge areas.” She said high occupancy reflected two key factors: the hospital was responding to high demand for the service and did not turn away anyone who needed admission; and it did not discharge people without them having somewhere to go.

“There is also the impact of not having sufficient lo.

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