CDHB To Issue RFP For Residential Home Management

MEDIA RELEASE

TO: News Room

FROM: Michele Hider, Communications Manager

DATE: 3 March 2008

SUBJECT: CDHB To Issue RFP For Management Of Residential Homes

Canterbury District Health Board will be issuing a Request for Proposals for the management of its residential service for people with intellectual disabilities, who have experienced mental illness.

The residents of the three homes, their families and staff were advised today of CDHB’s proposal to contract the management of the homes to an external provider. Residents will continue to have access to mental health services from the DHB. The decision was made after consultation with residents, their families and staff.

Vince Barry, General Manager of the CDHB’s Specialist Mental Health Service said the decision had been made in order to provide a sustainable service for people with ‘dual diagnosis’.

“We know that the management of these homes and provision of services relating to intellectual disabilities can be well delivered by an external provider that specialises in this area. When mental health services are required they will be available to residents in the same way that they are now,” he said.

The three homes are owned by Housing NZ and CDHB is the tenant. A fourth home was vacated last year because the house was in a poor state of repair. All residents at the time were re-located into the remaining three houses.

The management proposals sought by the CDHB will need to include the three houses, 16 residential beds and staff. The 18 existing staff (12 full time equivalents) have been advised that they will be able to stay and work for the new organisation or opt to apply for other positions within the CDHB.

The RFP process is expected to take about three months.

ENDS

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