Latest news with #MattDoocey
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Wānaka residents grill government ministers over healthcare shortfalls
About 300 people squeezed into the Lake Wānaka Centre . Photo: Katie Todd Wānaka residents have pressed government ministers and health chiefs for answers on why they are paying for blood tests, travelling to Dunedin for basic scans and waiting months for children to see psychiatrists, at a packed public meeting in the Otago town. About 300 people squeezed into the Lake Wānaka Centre for the third stop on a rural health roadshow with Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey, Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson and representatives from Health NZ. Local residents and health providers waited with raised hands for a turn on the microphone - demanding commitment to the needs of their communities, and "actual, physical, on the frontline, where-the-people-are funding." Residents had been encouraged to speak up by advocacy group Health Action Wānaka, which has been calling for urgent improvements to health services in the Upper Clutha. Earlier this year, it released a report that showed significant service shortfalls, systemic barriers and inequity in accessing healthcare. Spokesperson Monique Mayze said it was time for officials to enact meaningful, positive change. "The ministers need to hear from people how the decisions the make are affecting lives. We've heard so many stories from people in our community over the past 12 months about the terrible inequity they've faced, the challenges they've had when trying to access health services and having to travel vast distances to access healthcare that should be available locally," she said. "The time has come for action. We've had enough words now." Matt Doocey pledged that Health NZ would carry out an assessment of the Upper Clutha and Queenstown Lakes health inequities and create a plan to address them by the end of the year. Matt Doocey speaks at the roadshow. Photo: Katie Todd "Just going and saying 'we want to put a lot of money into this' and spraying it around, will not work. We want to have very clear plans that show we understand what the problems are in your community, and then you will know what we've listened to," he said. Ahead of the public session, Health Action Wānaka also had a private meeting with the officials, and handed a three part-wishlist to Health Minister Simeon Brown in Auckland. They were seeking commitment to three "quick wins" - publicly funded blood collection service in Wānaka within two years, psychiatric consultations via telehealth within one year and better local access to publicly funded radiology. Group spokesperson Trish Fraser said ministers appeared receptive to their ideas, which she described as a positive outcome. "We have done a lot of work with our research, our report. And [health officials] are taking seriously our work, which is great. But we want to see things really time for action." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Construction begins on new $88 million mental health centre in Lower Hutt
Health Minister Simeon Brown. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Construction has begun on a new $88 million mental health unit in Lower Hutt, which the government says will improve mental health outcomes for New Zealanders. The Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre will provide 34 adult acute inpatient beds - ten more than the existing Te Whare Ahuru. The government was investing $38 million in the construction of the facility, while $50 million was being donated by Wellington philanthropist Sir Mark Dunajtschik. Sir Mark also donated $50 million towards the new Wellington Children's Hospital in 2017. This morning Health Minister Simeon Brown, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and Hutt South MP Chris Bishop all took part in a sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the start of a project. Doocey said Sir Mark's contribution would leave a legacy of hope and care that would benefit generations to come. He said the purpose-built centre would help ensure New Zealanders in distress receive timely, appropriate care. "This project is about more than bricks and mortar. It's about improving lives and delivering the mental health outcomes New Zealanders deserve," he said. Doocey said people experiencing severe distress deserved care in the right environment, at the right time. "It's not only better for them, but it also helps take pressure off our busy emergency departments," he said. "That's why mental health care must be underpinned by high-quality infrastructure that enables clinicians and support staff to deliver the safe, effective, compassionate care Kiwis deserve." Brown said it was an important milestone for Lower Hutt and the wider region. He said the new facility would be purpose-built to support modern models of care, which would help to deliver better outcomes for patients and their families. "It will also enhance the region's mental health infrastructure, offering safer, more therapeutic spaces for those in urgent need." The current Te Whare Ahuru acute inpatient unit was built in 1995. In 2021, it came under fire from the Chief Ombudsman for being not fit for purpose. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
New Mental Health Centre To Transform Care In The Wellington Region
Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey have today marked the beginning of construction on the new Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre in Lower Hutt. Joined by Hutt South MP Chris Bishop, the Ministers took part in a sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the start of a project that will transform mental health services across the Wellington region. 'Today, I'm proud to announce the Government is investing $38 million in the construction of this world-class facility – alongside an extraordinary $50 million donation from Sir Mark Dunajtschik, who also generously donated $50 million towards the new Wellington Children's Hospital in 2017,' Mr Brown says. 'This marks an important milestone for Lower Hutt and the wider region. The new centre will provide 34 adult acute inpatient beds – ten more than the existing facility – and will be purpose-built to support modern models of care, helping to deliver better outcomes for patients and their families. 'It will also enhance the region's mental health infrastructure, offering safer, more therapeutic spaces for those in urgent need.' Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said the purpose-built centre would help ensure New Zealanders in distress receive timely, appropriate care. "People experiencing severe distress deserve care in the right environment, at the right time – it's not only better for them, but it also helps take pressure off our busy emergency departments. 'That's why mental health care must be underpinned by high-quality infrastructure that enables clinicians and support staff to deliver the safe, effective, compassionate care Kiwis deserve. 'Sir Mark's generosity is a powerful act of leadership. It reflects deep compassion, civic spirit, and an enduring commitment to the wellbeing of our communities. 'His $50 million contribution will leave a legacy of hope and care that will benefit generations to come. 'This project is about more than bricks and mortar. It's about improving lives and delivering the mental health outcomes New Zealanders deserve.' Note: This is one of 16 mental health and addiction capital projects underway as part of the nationwide Mental Health Infrastructure Programme – a major Government investment of $936 million to upgrade and modernise mental health facilities across New Zealand. Practical completion is expected by mid-2027, with the facility set to open a few months later. Statement of Sir Mark Dunajtschik, benefactor of the Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre, and renders of the facility attached here.
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
New unit to help fill gaps in Taranaki mental health and addictions rehabilitation services opens
Attendees at the official opening of Te Puna Wai Kātea, a facility to help mental health and addiction patients transition into the community. Photo: ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ A new facility designed to improve outcomes for mental health and addiction patients in Taranaki has opened in New Plymouth. Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey officially opened Te Puna Wai Kātea on the Taranaki Base Hospital campus on Thursday. He said the facility - whose name meant pool of cool clear water and symbolised the journey towards clarity for its users - would help mental health and addiction patients transition back into the community. "In-patient facilities can't be the end goal. It's actually about how we support people to get well and then support them back into their communities. "This facility is an example of step-down care and what that means is that when you've been an in-patient and become well and you're ready to be discharged you can come to a facility like this and it allows you to actually start thinking about rehabilitation and connecting back into your community." Senior responsible officer for the Project Maunga redevelopment of Taranaki Base Hospital, Rosemary Clements, shows Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and New Plymouth MP David McLeod around Te Puna Wai Kātea. Photo: ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ Te Puna Wai Kātea included four short- to medium-term stay rooms, an activities room, family space, kitchen, dining, and living areas. It cost $6 million and was one of 16 similar facilities being delivered as part of Health New Zealand's Mental Health Infrastructure Programme. Doocey said the fact there were only four overnight rooms reflected how expensive it was to build good facilities. "For me it's not about putting a dollar cost on it. I think many people will remember the state of our mental health facilities in previous generations. "They were places you would look at and think 'how does anyone get well in a place that looks like that?' So quite rightly we want people to feel valued so that's way we invest in places like this. Doocey said the service would integrate with other providers. "The team here will work closely with clinical services, whānau, and government agencies like MSD, Kāinga Ora, and Pathways to develop the most suitable tailored transition plans for each individual," Interim manager for mental health and addiction services at HNZ Taranaki, Hayley Scott, said Te Puna Wai Kātea would help fill a gap in patient care in the province. Interim service manager for mental health and addictions, Hayley Scott, at the opening of Te Puna Wai Kātea. Photo: ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ "Taranaki has lacked a rehab service for mental health and addictions for some time. Initially this new facility will provide the space for group work with a rehabilitation focus and once operation funds are release we want to use Te Puna Wai Kātea to accommodate four whai ora (patients) for intensive live-in rehabilitation." Scott said the new facility would take pressure off Taranaki Base Hospital's 23-bed in-patient mental health facility by providing somewhere for them to transition through. "It's about providing that intensive rehabilitation for our whai ora who have perhaps been a patient in our acute in-patient unit that are at the stage for some intensive rehab, so we're looking at a three to six month programme to help them get back into the community." Scott was grateful to have the new four-bed facility. "Four beds is better than what we have, so it's a real gift for us. We look at it as a positive move in the right direction, but obviously we'd like more resources like everyone, but it is a real bonus for us at the moment." Scott said the new facility would be a boon for those patients ready for rehabilitative treatment. "Currently they might stay in the in-patient unit a little bit longer than necessary or adding to our options a lot of non-governmental organisations do home care and we help people in their own whare, but this will be more intensive. "Te Puna Wai Kātea will provide hope to whai ora that there is a step-down pathway for those that need it. It's going to help. There'll be a waiting list to get in, put it that way." The unit would have three staff during the day and two overnight. They would have a range of skills from occupational health workers, nurses and mental health rehabilitation assistants and a team leader. Te Puna Wai Kātea opens to day patients on 1 July. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
GPs, nurse practitioners will soon be allowed to diagnose and treat ADHD
Photo: AFP / Thom Leach / Science Photo Library GPs and nurse practitioners have been given the green light to diagnose and treat ADHD from February next year. Currently, they require the written recommendation of a psychiatrist or paediatrician to start prescribing ADHD medications, which can takes months. Medsafe and Pharmac announced a rule change, on Tuesday, following a long campaign from GPs and mental health advocates. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey applauded the "common-sense change" and said it would make a meaningful difference in many New Zealanders' lives. "I have heard stories of many people with ADHD who have been unable to get a diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner because of long wait items and costs associated with seeing a specialist," he said. "I want to acknowledge the many advocates with lived experience who have spent years pushing for this change." Health agencies have set the start date at February 2026 to address potential supply issues related to methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, and to give more time for workforce preparation. Patients under 18 will be able to begin treatment with sign-off from a nurse practitioner working within a multidisciplinary setting as part of paediatric or child and adolescent mental health services. In a statement, Medsafe group manager Chris James said the move would improve access to ADHD treatment for the public. "We have a workforce of highly experienced general practitioners and nurse practitioners, a number of whom are already working closely with specialists to treat patients with ADHD. Implementing this change will mean they can do this work more quickly and efficiently without needing to wait for approval from a specialist." James said it would be important to maintain a "high quality of ADHD assessment". "We have been working closely with sector representatives to develop a clinical framework which will set out principles for diagnosing and treating ADHD, including the appropriate clinical care required of healthcare practitioners," James said. Last year, Pharmac also removed the requirement for funded access to stimulant medicines to be renewed every two years and is funding a new ADHD medicine, lisdexamfetamine. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
