Fears some could ‘lose their lives’
Seventy-two people waiting for mental health support at DHB
Seventy-two people are waiting for mental health support at the Lakes District Health Board, prompting fears lives may be at risk. The Mental Health Foundation said some who were “significantly distressed” could “lose their lives” if they did not get the support they needed.
But a Rotorua mental health service manager said the number of people waiting for a face-to-face appointment was “not unreasonable” and challenges posed by Covid-19 had impacted the amount of face-to-face contact that could occur.
The Lakes District Health Board said although wait times had increased “somewhat”, the 72 people waiting for first face-toface contact were still within Ministry of Health timeframes.
The board said 95 per cent of people received their first face-to-face contact within eight weeks of referral and 85 per cent of people within three weeks of referral.
Data obtained from the Lakes District Health Board under the Official Information Act showed as of May 2, 36 people were waiting for adult mental health treatment and 36 for
infant, child and adolescent mental health treatment. Data also showed two patients from the Mental Health and Addiction Service for Older People had died after they were triaged, or sorted by priority, but before receiving mental health treatment in the past six years.
The average wait time for a first specialist appointment last year was 21 days and there were 296 admissions to the board’s adult mental health inpatient unit, Te Whare Oranga Tangata o Whakaue, last year.
Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson said one was “one too many” for those waiting for face-toface appointments. When people were “significantly distressed” and did not get support, in some cases, people could “lose their lives”.
“It’s just not good enough.” He said district health board services were “pretty much slammed” with demand, which made him “very frustrated and angry” for people who needed support and their families.
He acknowledged the Government’s investment in providing mental health services “earlier” before people became extremely distressed.
“However, it’s not enough, it’s not comprehensive and it’s not well planned. And it’s not funded enough.”
He said there needed to be an “integrated” implementation plan and an investment strategy to go alongside it, as mental health was the biggest health issue in New Zealand next to Covid.
“Every indication is that the Covid19 pandemic is actually exacerbating mental health demand.”
A Lakes District Health Board spokesperson said the longest average wait time for a face-to-face appointment in 2020 was 24 days, which was “very likely” impacted by sudden service changes when Covid restrictions were introduced.
During the triage process, treatment options were discussed, including e-mental health resources which could form part of treatment prior to first face-to-face contact.
“The district health board always aims to see people within the shortest available timeframes and this
includes streamlining processes such as triage, caseload management and care planning.”
Piringa Mental Health Support in Rotorua provides rehabilitation and accommodation for people recovering from mental illness.
Manager Joyce Fowler said the number of people waiting for a faceto-face appointment was “not un
reasonable” in light of health expectations today. She said the figures seemed to be “trending down”, which was a testament to the DHB.
Challenges throughout the pandemic had impacted the amount of face-to-face contact that could occur, she said.
Ministry of Health deputy directorgeneral of mental health and addiction Philip Grady said it was working to improve and transform the mental health and addiction system. “I don’t think you’d find anyone working in the sector right now would say things are where they need to be.”
Grady said an important part of improving the system was ensuring people had a range of support, including face to face as well as telephone services, online support, or through community groups.
“There is definitely pressure on specialist services, and our work to ease this pressure includes investing in growing the mental health and addiction workforce and working with DHBS to address areas that contribute to demand on specialist beds.”
A total of $472.3 million had been
invested into projects through the Government’s Mental Health Infrastructure Programme. The Ministry’s free Access and Choice programme, which focuses on primary mental health and addiction services, did not require a referral.
“We know there is more work to do, [including] ensuring people get access to support early.”