Report shows service concerns

Wairarapa consumers have less confidence in mental health and addictions services since contract providers changed, according to a Mental Health Commissioner report.

Mental Health Commissioner Lynne Lane met with consumers at Supporting Families, Pathways and Te Hauora Runanga o Wairarapa in mid-August and reported this week on the visit's outcome.

Although a systematic review of services was not carried out, the Mental Health Commissioner said in the report that some issues were raised consistently and an improvement plan was being put in place.

These included concerns about people at high-risk of suicide not being able to get appropriate care when they are unwell, that alcohol and drug services did not reflect a recovery focus and that consumers were not being listened to or involved in decisions about their care.

The report said that confidence in services was being undermined by the loss of local consumer and family adviser roles, and people were increasingly turning to other, non-DHB funded organisations for support.

Wairarapa DHB, after meeting with the Mental Health Commissioner, has since discussed concerns with key provider and consumer advocates, and agreed that a DHB-wide improvement programme be put in place.

The plan aims to improve trust and confidence, better the complaint process, increase local consumer voice, improve access to care in crisis situations, strengthen the recovery focus, and improve support to families.

Wairarapa DHB chief executive Tracey Adamson said together with the mental health and addictions leadership group, the DHB have been addressing issues highlighted by the report.

"We want Wairarapa people to have trust and confidence in the services we provide and we look forward to working in partnership with the people and their families who access our services to ensure we deliver services that are accessible, appropriate and of a high standard."

She said the plan had not been finalised yet, but key stakeholders were involved in its development and implementation and the plan would be released publicly and monitored quarterly.

A project manager has been appointed to coordinate the improvement plan, Pathways and CareNZ have set up community engagement forums, and a community suicide task group has been set up.

Supporting Families Wairarapa manager Tracey Towns said the commissioner's visit had highlighted concerns around gaps in family/whanau support, and they were working with the DHB to improve it.

"It has been heartening to see that the DHB and the key providers have taken the concerns that have been raised and are committed to making changes to improve outcomes for service users and their families/whanau."