Health Ministry cutting 134 roles

Mental health one area to be pruned to meet budget goals

The Ministry of Health is proposing to slash 134 roles entirely to meet government expectations to cut spending.

The ministry has been searching for 6.5 per cent cost savings, with the final sign-off to be made by Public Service and Finance Minister Nicola Willis, in relation to the Budget. All agencies have been directed to look for ways to cut back on costs of between 6.5 and 7.5 per cent on average and slash the use of contractors and consultants.

A consultation document, seen by NZME, details the change proposals at the Health Ministry.

The ministry confirmed the proposal would disestablish 271 roles and propose a restructured 137 new roles.

The ministry has also been seeking feedback on voluntary redundancy for people whose teams are proposed to be reduced in size. Staff are being consulted through to April 26.

Transformation programme office director Geoff Short said in a statement: “The proposed changes are not a reflection of staff performance.”

The Public Service Association states 59 of the roles proposed to be disestablished are within the Public Health Agency, 46 in Corporate

Services, 41 in Government and Executive Services, 41 in Regulation and Monitoring, 39 in Strategy Policy and Legislation, 34 in Clinical and Community Mental Health, and 31 in Evidence Research and Innovation.

The union says the proposal would mean the Suicide Prevention Office and other specialist roles were slashed.

“The proposals to axe the Suicide Prevention Office and specialist health workers in mental health make a mockery of the Government’s new portfolio of Minister for Mental Health. We call on Minister Matt Doocey to overturn these cuts which are simply being made to fund tax cuts that New Zealand cannot afford,” national secretary Duane Leo said.

In addition, the Health Ministry is proposing withholding remuneration increases for some above a salary midpoint. The document, seen by NZME, states the PSA is “seeking legal advice to challenge this proposal”.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is standing by the looming cuts, telling reporters this week that his Government wants “medical doctors, not more spin doctors”.

Labour’s health spokeswoman Ayesha Verrall said New Zealand will “feel the harm” of the Government’s “reckless cuts to jobs” at the health ministry for generations.

“Today we learned 134 crucial positions are set to be disestablished at the Ministry of Health, including in regulation, monitoring, suicide prevention, and science and evidence.

“At the Government’s request, the Ministry of Health has proposed the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, which is responsible for New Zealand’s Suicide Action Plan, and has seen suicide rates reduced for the last three years.”

Verrall said the Government had made “a song and dance” about establishing a Minister for Mental Health but she was “concerned we are going backwards”.

“These are not simply back office roles, they are roles that include regulation and monitoring of the health system. When our health regulatory system fails, people get hurt, like they were with surgical mesh.”

The Ministry for Social Development has today announced a voluntary redundancy scheme, with no set target for uptake.

Front-line staff are not allowed to apply for the scheme, which will be open through to April 15.