Labour’s mental health management inadequate

Today's announcement of the continuation of the Mental Health Commission was to be expected, says Dr Jonathan Coleman, National Party Associate spokesman (Mental Health).

"However, the reality is that the Government could be doing much more to target the needs of those affected by mental illness.

“There has been no measurable improvement in mental health outcomes in the past seven years despite this Government dramatically increasing spending.

“It has spent a lot of money on strategic plans, studies and bureaucracy, but the reality is that it is not being targeted effectively.

“There is a major workforce crisis in the sector, and inadequate funding of the NGOs on which a disproportionate service burden is placed.

“Meanwhile, $18 million of DHB money allocated to acute care went unspent last year.

"The Minister needs to cut the self-congratulation and concede that the management of mental health services and the targeting of funds in the sector are not delivering the results that New Zealanders deserve,” says Dr Coleman.

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