Central regional forensic adult inpatient mental health service — Purehurehu and Rangipapa
The Purehurehu and Rangipapa units provide a safe and secure environment for people with mental health problems who have been referred to us through the criminal justice system.
Contact us
Rangipapa unit
- phone: 04 918 2546
- free phone: 0508 422 342 extension 7546
Purehurehu unit
- phone:04 918 2691
- free phone: 0508 422 342 extension 7691
Where to find us
We are located at:
Rātonga-Rua-o-Porirua campus
Upper Main Drive
Porirua
You can find our 2 units on the Rātonga-Rua-o-Porirua campus map.
Services we provide
The central regional forensic adult inpatient unit is a service for people involved in the criminal justice system who need immediate help for a mental health condition. It is made up of 2 units:
- Purehurehu (male only unit)
- Rangipapa (mixed gender unit).
The service also has 17 beds in the Regional rehabilitation and extended care inpatient service, which provides a step toward moving back out into the community. This service includes the Tawhirimatea and Tane Mahuta units.
The service also provides 15 extended-care beds at Standford House in Wanganui. These beds are for longer term patients who require:
- a high level of observation
- intensive treatment
- secure care.
What you can expect from our service
When you are admitted to the service you will meet your care team. You will be assessed by medical staff on the same day. You will be assessed again later in your stay.
The role of whānau
Whānau often have an important role in your recovery and in preventing a relapse. We aim to strengthen family resilience by providing services that include your family. We work with whānau to restore your wellbeing and your family's by maintaining or building social supports.
Whānau also often have important knowledge and experience of you and your needs they can share. This can help the clinical team better assess and treat you to support your recovery.
Visiting the units
Whānau and friends can visit any day of the week. You first need to arrange your visit with the nurse in charge.
Staff wear identification badges and you can ask them about their roles.
We are a smoke free service. You cannot smoke in the inpatient units or anywhere on the grounds.
Referral information
You may be admitted into Purehurehu or Rangipapa from 2 main sources:
- from the courts for assessment and treatment as part of the judicial process
- from prison for psychiatric care and treatment.
You will only be admitted if you have, or it it suspected you have, a significant mental health condition. People may also have a drug or alcohol problem.
Everyone admitted into the inpatient unit is compulsorily detained under one or both of the:
- Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment & Treatment) Act
- Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act.