Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre
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The Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre opened in December 1997 following the closure of Tokanui hospital. The facility provides inpatient care for people suffering a mental illness. There are three major service areas of care, adult, elderly and forensic. |
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The centre is a 108 bed mental health facility serving a population of more than 355,000 across the Waikato DHB region and the Regional Forensic Service covers the wider Midland region which encompasses the Lakes, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty DHBs.
Visiting information
Visiting hours
We prefer you to arrange visiting times with the ward where possible.
- Normal visiting times are between 11am - 8pm except where specific arrangements have been made.
- Ward 30 - visiting hours are flexible.
- Ward 32/33 - Monday to Friday 1.30pm - 4.30pm and 6pm - 8pm.
Visiting this ward is by prior arrangement only and for half hour slots. Prior bookings should be made via the ward.
Weekends and Public holidays: Flexible visiting hours.
Other information
- There are visitors rooms available in some wards which may have to be shared at times with other visitors. Please try and limit the number of people visiting to two-four people per visit. Visits will occur in a designated visitor’s room (applicable to ward 33/32 only).
- Please ensure that children are supervised by an adult at all times.
- When visiting Ward 32/33 you may be asked to leave your personal belongings in your car or individual lockers before entering the ward. Any articles and property brought in for the consumer/tangata whaiora will be subject to a security check.
Families are allowed to share a meal with the consumer/tangata whaiora; however we encourage healthy meal alternatives to takeaways.
Strictly no lighters will be allowed in the visitor’s room while family are visiting whanau.
- Visitor toilets (including disabled) are situated on Level1, Level 2 Whanau/family room and Level 3.
- Illicit drugs and alcohol are not permitted in the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre for visitor or patient use. The police will be notified and required to act accordingly.
- The Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre is smokefree.
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Contact information
- Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre can be contacted via Waikato Hospital main switchboard on (07) 839 8899.
- For any compliments or complaints you have about any aspect of the service you or your family member receive in the centre, please follow our Complaints and Compliments procedure.
- District inspector
For concerns and advice about your family member/friend's rights, there is an offical (usually a barrister or solicitor) who is appointed by the government to investigate patients concerns (mainly thos under the Mental Health Act). Ask the primary nurse about this.
- Senior Consumer Relationship Advisor
This position sits within the senior management team to promote and facilitate service user participation in service delivery and development of Mental Health and Addictions services within Waikato District Health Board. This role co-ordinates and contracts service users with a variety of skills and experiences to be involved at all levels of services. As part of the local, regional and national consumer services/groups/networks this role allows for information flow out to the community and back to services to ensure services are meeting the needs of those that use them. Service users contracted are reimbursed for their time and provided with ongoing peer support and training to enable meaningful participation.
Contact can be made on (07) 834 3607 Ext 7063
- Health consumer advocates
Health consumer advocates are available for independent help with a complaint. Please refer to the Health Consumer brochure.
- Cultural facilitators
If your family/whanau or member require cultural support, please ask the primary nurse how to contact a cultural facilitator.
- Privacy officer
For information about privacy concerns, contact the privacy officer on (07) 834 3654.
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Our wards
| Ward number |
Service |
30
Mental Health Services for the Older Person |
This unit provides assessment and treatment for people predominantly over the age of 65, with varying mental health needs.
(11 beds) |
31
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Closed for refurbishment.
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32
Regional Forensic Mental Health Service
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It is a Medium Secure Rehabilitation Unit providing Forensic Rehabilitation services to consumer/tangata whaiora. This service provides for both female and male persons.
Four beds are designated for people who have an Intellectual Disability.
(15 beds)
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33
Regional Forensic Mental Health Service
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It is a Medium Secure setting that provides mental health treatment and assessment of consumers/tangata whaiora whom are referred through the Criminal Justice System (the court and the prison).
This service provide for both male and female persons.
(15 beds) |
34
Adult Mental Health Services
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This unit provides acute mental health assessment and treatment for people experiencing mental unwellness who live in the urban and local area of Hamilton.
(25 beds) |
35
Adult Mental Health Services
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This unit provides acute mental health assessment and treatment for people experiencing mental unwellness who live in the rural area north and south of Hamilton.
(17 beds) |
36
Adult Mental Health Services |
This unit provides short term intensive psychiatric care within a low stimulus area and seclusion facility for people experiencing acute symptoms and who are posing a risk to themselves or others.
(14 beds) |
The Transition House
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An open rehabilitation house facilitating access to the community and employment in order to develop meaningful activities and life skills.
(5 beds)
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Personal possessions
Articles that are considered a danger to the person you are visiting and others will be removed and stored in a secure room. In some instances they may be stored outside the centre for safe keeping.
The following items will be removed:
- razors, sharp or metallic items/glass
- matches/lighters
- belts and braces
- clothing with cord e.g. hooded sweatshirts
- studded belts
- prescription/non prescription drugs
- steel capped boots
- glass bottles - (Wards 32/33 only)
- no cans (including deodorant sprays or fizzy drinks) - (Wards 32/33 only)
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- valuable items e.g. jewellery, dress rings
- genuine leather clothing
- gang regalia
- cameras
- dangerous eapons
- knives, pizza cutters, syringes, needles
- alcohol
- no cell phones or laptops - (Wards 32/33 only)
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Facilities
Whanau/family room
There is a whānau room available on Level One of the Henry Rongonmau Bennett Centre for accommodation purposes, for visitors wishing to stay overnight/ few days. This is solely used for visitors that wish to support their whānau during their admission. Please try to limit the number of people staying to two/four. Bookings for this room need to be done via the keyworker looking after the tangata whaiora. A Koha (Donation) for the stay at the whānau room is welcomed.
Chapel
There is a chapel available in Waikato Hospital main corridor. A chaplain can be available to meet with the person you are visiting at their request.
Telephone calls
The person you are visiting can receive or make telephone calls outside of therapy hours.
Radios, televisions and videos
Television, video, stereo and radio are available on each ward. Personal radios can be used in a limited way. Talk to the primary nurse caring for the person you are visiting.
Mail
Personal mail will be delivered to wards. Mail should be addressed to:
- Ward number
Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre
Waikato Hospital
Private Bag 3200
Hamilton 3240
Laundry
There is a washing machine and dryer available on each ward for personal laundry.
Cafeteria
There is a cafeteria in Waikato Hospital which is signposted from the
Red Corridor.
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Care at the centre
There will be a team of clinicians who will work with your family member or friend to plan their recovery and hold regular meetings to discuss this. You may be asked to meet with the team and your family member or friend. Discuss this with your family member or friend's primary nurse.
Here is a brief description of what each of the people in the team do:
Inpatient primary nurse
While your family member or friend may have contact with a number of nurses, one will be particularly involved in their care. This is the primary nurse. She/he is likely to be involved with the family/whanau and other members of the clinical team in the development of your family member/friend's care plan. The primary nurse will communicate with the rest of the team and ensure that all members of the team are kept informed of any changes over each 24 hour period. In the Forensic Service the primary nurse is called the inpatient key worker. In Ward 31, this person may be called the rehabilitation worker.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist (medical doctor specialising in mental health and mental illness) is a member of the team and will be developing and overseeing your family member/friend's care. It may be the same person who was your family member/friend's psychiatrist before their entry into the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre.
Registrar
Registrars are doctors who are completing extra training to become psychiatrists and they work under the supervision of the psychiatrist. Registrars spend more time on the ward and your family member/friend will probably see them more often.
Keyworker
If your family member/friend was admitted from the community mental health services they may have a keyworker who visited them regularly and may be a social worker, community mental health nurse, occupational therapist, cultural worker or psychologist. This person will liaise with your family member/friend and the inpatient team regarding care plans and discharge plans and ensure there is continuity of staff contact.
Social worker
A social worker can check that your family member/friend is getting the resources they are entitled to and need, help find solutions to problems, arrange appropriate accommodation, and show how to access other agencies. They will also liaise with Work and Income to ensure any financial issues are dealt with.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists offer a range of occupational and practical services to enhance your family member/friend's self empowerment which will assist in their recovery process. They will provide ward programmes which your family member/friend may participate in.
Psychologist
Clinical psychologists are specially trained to understand human behaviour, thoughts and emotions. They can be involved in helping your family member/friend learn about themselves and will assist with developing strategies to empower them.
Whanau/family and friends as part of the team
Whanau/family and friends can be involved in the care plan if the family member/friend wishes. Discuss this with the primary nurse or the keyworker.
Family facilitator
Offers support, information education, advocacy and links with the community based family /whanau support groups.
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