Mental health ‘crisis’

The Labour Government says it has invested more into mental health – including boosting the workforce – than anyone else but critics say staffing shortages have reached ‘‘crisis’’ point.

In the past five years, psychologist vacancies increased by 135%, and both psychiatrist and mental health nurse vacancies increased by more than 90%.

Health Minister Andrew Little said the Government had not only increased the number of mental health jobs, it had also invested $1.9 billion into the sector in the past five years.

But National Party MP and mental health spokesperson Matt Doocey said the workforce was in ‘‘crisis’’ and too many people were not getting the treatment they desperately needed.

Doocey received data from Health Minister Andrew Little that shows psychiatrist vacancies increased from 75.5 to 154 (104%) between July 2017 and October 1 this year.

In the same time, mental health nurse vacancies increased from 266.6 to 511 (92%) and psychologist vacancies increased from 47.8 to 112.56 (135%).

‘‘Labour announced $1.9 billion for mental health after promising to transform the mental health system and you have got to ask yourself, where has all the money gone and why hasn’t it made a difference,’’ Doocey said.

He wanted nurses put on the tier 1 immigration list, which would allow them to apply for residency straight away, but they were still on the tier 2 list, which required them to work here for two years before they could apply for residency.

‘‘It beggars belief that the Government stubbornly refuses to put skilled migrant mental health nurses on the immigration straight to residence list to prevent bed closures.’’