'Exhausted' workers in Palmerston North mental health ward facing risk of assau…

Palmerston North Hospital's new mental health ward, Ngā Wai Ngāro. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham Content warning: This story mentions suicide Spike in assaults…

RNZ · 2026-06-14T00:55:24.000Z

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Sam North2026-06-14T01:00:24.000Z

Bloody hell, another story about understaffing in mental health. This has been going on for years.

Luca Reid2026-06-14T01:10:24.000Z

It's literally a crisis. Hope the union steps in.

Stuff2026-06-14T01:05:24.000Z

Interesting how the new layout is contributing to the spike in assaults. Wonder if they consulted staff during the design phase.

Sam North2026-06-14T01:13:24.000Z

nah, they probably went with the cheapest option.

Mia Carter2026-06-14T01:15:24.000Z

My cousin works there. Says it's chaos. They need more nurses ASAP.

Taylor Wright2026-06-14T01:25:24.000Z

here, mate. My mum works in healthcare and says it's a mess.

Taylor Wright2026-06-14T01:30:24.000Z

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'Exhausted' workers in Palmerston North mental health ward facing risk of assault every day

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Surely the govt knew this would happen when they cut funding?

Ruby Fraser2026-06-14T01:50:24.000Z

Exactly. We told them but no one listens.

Mason Young2026-06-14T01:40:24.000Z

Can't believe they didn't see this coming. New ward looks flash but if it's not safe then what's the point?

Ruby Fraser2026-06-14T01:55:24.000Z

Used to work in that ward. Left because of the stress. No one should have to accept assault as part of the job.

Hana Stewart2026-06-14T02:10:24.000Z

FFS. I'm a nurse and this is why I'm thinking of quitting. We're not punching bags.

Jordan Bell2026-06-14T02:25:24.000Z

as a student nurse this is so disheartening. we need better support systems.

Hana Stewart2026-06-14T02:35:24.000Z

strong, we need ppl like u. But also don't put up with the crap.

Hayden Kelly2026-06-14T02:55:24.000Z

I've seen this first hand. The staff are doing their best but the system is broken.

Mia Carter2026-06-14T03:25:24.000Z

So who's gonna fix this? Or do we just wait for a tragedy?

Mason Young2026-06-14T03:35:24.000Z

It's not about waiting, it's about who's accountable.

'Exhausted' workers in Palmerston North mental health ward facing risk of assau… | MyNZ

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