For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
New Canterbury specialist mental health services architect
New Canterbury specialist mental health services architect

Klein Ltd, architects who specialise in health projects and recently completed the health planning on the new Burwood Hospital, have been awarded the contract for designing new facilities for Canterbury DHB’s specialist mental health services currently based at The Princess Margaret Hospital. These include the Child, Adolescent and Family inpatient unit, the Eating Disorders unit, the Mothers and Babies unit, the Seager Clinic (inpatient rehabilitation) and a range of outpatient services.
Announcing the next step in the rebuild, DHB Chief Executive David Meates and Ministry of Health Director of Critical Projects Michael Hundleby said Klein Ltd have the relevant experience in this specialist field and a proven record of designing specialist health facilities to the required standards and within budget.
David Meates said everyone agreed the existing facilities at The Princess Margaret Hospital were unacceptable.
Michael Hundleby said "There are various options for refurbishment and/or rebuild being worked through which were estimated in the indicative business case as costing up to $57 million.
“We are working fast to choose the most appropriate option and have the project completed as quickly as possible.”
A panel of Canterbury DHB clinicians and managers, Ministry of Health staff and consultants selected the winning firm from seven proposals.
Klein Ltd will start work immediately.
Indicative Business Case for the on-going delivery of specialist mental health services in Canterbury February 2018: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/hospital-redevelopment-projects/christchurch-hospital-redevelopment-project/specialist-mental-health-services-relocation-christchurch-hospital-redevelopment-project
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