Building a dedicated health and social services hub for youth

A dedicated youth hub where Pegasus Health practices can refer young people for specialist health and mental health services is a step closer to completion, with construction work on the site scheduled to begin later this year.

The first phase of the facility – a health and mental health centre and accommodation for young people – is expected to be complete by the end
of 2023. The second phase will involve youth apartments or a creative centre.

Dame Sue Bagshaw, Youth Hub Trust chairperson, says the group has just
signed the contract for the $10 million funded through the Government’s
‘shovel-ready’ projects. This follows council approval last year for the 4250
square metre youth hub that will offer healthcare, mental health support,
training, recreation and employment services to young people aged between 10 and 25.

Dame Sue says she hopes primary care practices will benefit from the
opening of the Youth Hub by providing a specialist one-stop-youth-hub
where they can refer their young enrolled patients.

The Youth Hub will be an extension of services currently provided by the 298 Youth Health Centre, now based at Churchill Street in Christchurch city. ‘298’ currently provides a range of services including medical care for people in youth justice facilities, and support for gender diverse patients. Pegasus practices are able to refer patients now to the 298 Youth Health Centre who they feel would benefit from care from specialist professionals.

 

Read the full October newsletter.