The owner of a Wanganui rest home has guaranteed that no one will be forced to leave as mental health patients are transferred from the city's hospital.
Two weeks ago, a letter from Guardian Health Care told residents at its Pine Tree Lodge rest home that some would have to move out as 10 psycho-geriatric patients were moved in.
The scant detail left residents worried - and some elderly women in tears.
Guardian's chief executive Dwayne Crombie met with residents and their families on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Crombie says Guardian has re-thought where to put the mental health patients and Whanganui District Health Board has given the home more time to prepare.
The first six patients are due at the home in February.