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14,000 New Zealanders are treated in acute mental health units each year, but new research finds they languish on the periphery of hospital grounds, which could impact both mental and physical recovery.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Otago, analysed the locations of all 22 acute mental health units in the country, of which 20 were on hospital sites.
They found the units were on the outskirts of hospitals and compared with medical wards, much further away from the main entrances, the cafes, and other services, such as the radiology and emergency departments.
They are also a long way from community services, such as shops, parks and public transport.
Report co-author Professor Ruth Cunningham tells Kathryn it's the worst of both worlds for mental health patients, as they are neither community based, nor really part of the hospital.