Government looks at rehab wait times
Health Minister David Clark says it’s disappointing a man had to travel overseas to receive drug and alcohol treatment.
The Government would be looking at addiction services as part of a mental health inquiry.
West Auckland man Jason*, 36, needed rehab in November 2015 after suffering a seizure from overdosing on his wife’s painkillers.
But the waiting time of two months was too long so his family paid for him to fly to the United States for treatment.
Jason’s main vice was alcohol but he said he would take anything he managed to get his hands on, including pills and marijuana.
‘‘It’s just a process of using your preferred substance, passing out, waking up desperately looking for it and using it. You just wear yourself down.’’
The wait times required to get into rehab were unacceptable and dangerous, he said.
Ministry of Health figures showed almost 500 patients had to wait more than three weeks for alcohol and drug related treatment in 2016.
‘‘It’s really scary and puts pressure on your family members. It just doesn’t seem right to me,’’ Jason said.
The new health minister said he was disappointed to learn that Jason had to go overseas for addiction services as a result of long wait times.
‘‘We know that mental health services in our country are struggling to provide adequate care
‘‘This inquiry will lead to improved outcomes for New Zealanders’’
Health Minister David Clark
and help for New Zealanders,’’ Clark said. He said the number of people needing mental health services had increased by 60 per cent since 2008, but funding has increased less than half of that level.
Clark recently confirmed he has started discussions regarding the promised mental health inquiry, but any action is likely months away.
‘‘Future changes to mental health services will be guided by the inquiry’s recommendations.
‘‘This inquiry will lead to improved outcomes for New Zealanders needing mental health services, including addiction services.’’ Jason’s wife, Elena*, also said long wait times were not acceptable.
A two month wait for someone who couldn’t make it through the day was ‘‘a very, very long time’’, she said.
*Last names withheld to protect identity.