Articles tagged with Health Nz

New Compassionate Stillbirth Registration Process Launched for Grieving Parents

3 weeks ago | 128 views

The Government is improving the stillbirth registration process to be more compassionate and supportive for grieving parents, moving away from the standard online form designed for live births. Health NZ and the Department of Internal Affairs are collaborating to enable registrations through the Whetūrangitia website, which offers a culturally safe and sensitive experience tailored to families experiencing baby loss. This initiative aims to provide dignity, care, and appropriate support during a traumatic time, benefiting the hundreds of families affected by perinatal loss annually in New Zealand.

Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health NZ Department of Internal Affairs Whetūrangitia stillbirth registration perinatal loss miscarriage grieving parents New Zealand government

Pharmac Proposes Funding Seven Key Medicines to Improve Rural Emergency Care in NZ

3 weeks ago | 167 views

Associate Health Ministers David Seymour and Matt Doocey support Pharmac’s proposal to fund seven emergency medicines for rural care, aiming to improve timely access for rural GPs, nurses, and midwives by March 2026. The proposal includes medicines for PRIME services and home births, addressing delays in ambulance and hospital access in rural New Zealand, and is part of broader efforts to ensure equitable healthcare regardless of location. Public consultation on the proposal will run from December 1 to 19, with the goal of enhancing emergency and everyday care in rural communities while reducing hospital pressure.

Tags: David Seymour Matt Doocey Pharmac Health NZ ACC rural health emergency care PRIME services intravenous tranexamic acid rural GPs

Government Boosts Mental Health Workforce, Reduces Wait Times in New Zealand

1 month ago | 157 views

One year after launching New Zealand’s first Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Plan, the Government has increased the frontline workforce by around 10%, reduced vacancy rates and wait times, and expanded training and new roles in key areas. Budget 2025 boosted funding for psychology internships and psychiatry registrar positions, surpassing targets and enhancing clinical training capacity. The updated plan, released alongside a $30 million investment to combat meth harm, focuses on faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a stronger crisis response to ensure timely help for those in need.

Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Addiction Workforce Health NZ Psychology Internships Psychiatry Registrars Addiction Leadership Day Meth Harm Government Budget 2025

National Mental Health and Addiction Services Performance in Review: Positive Progress and Targets Exceeded

2 months ago | 292 views

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey highlights positive trends in mental health and addiction services performance nationwide, with increased access to support and progress in meeting targets observed across various regions. The focus remains on not just meeting national targets but also addressing areas needing additional support, with a 10% growth in the frontline mental health workforce. The government's commitment is to deliver faster support, more frontline workers, and improved crisis response to ensure assistance is readily available for those in need throughout New Zealand.

Tags: Matt Doocey mental health addiction services Kiwis Whanganui district Central region South Island Southern district HNZ regional leaders Health NZ

Government Launches First Crisis Recovery Café in Whanganui to Support Mental Health

3 months ago | 388 views

The Mental Health Minister opened Whanganui’s new Crisis Recovery Café at Aunty’s Café, the first of six cafés being rolled out by the Government nationwide. These cafés, led by Balance Aotearoa and iwi providers, offer peer-led, non-clinical support for individuals facing mental health or addiction challenges in a community setting. The Government aims to reduce pressure on traditional crisis systems by providing faster access to support, increasing frontline workers, and enhancing crisis response through initiatives like crisis cafés and peer support specialist roles in emergency departments.

Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Crisis Recovery Café Balance Aotearoa Te Oranganui Hāpai Mauri Tangata peer support specialist mental health plan Health NZ frontline workers

New Zealand Approves Psychology Assistant Role to Boost Mental Health Support

4 months ago | 551 views

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey welcomes the New Zealand Psychologists Board's approval of the Psychology Assistant role to enhance access to mental health and addiction support. The initiative aims to address workforce shortages by providing a career path for psychology graduates unable to enter clinical psychology programs. Psychology Assistants will work under supervision to expand support services, reduce vacancies, and improve mental health outcomes for New Zealanders.

Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand Psychologists Board Psychology Assistant mental health addiction support workforce shortages clinical psychology programme mental health system mental health workforce Health NZ.

New Mental Health Accreditation Pathway Opens Doors for 330 Counsellors in NZ Public Services

5 months ago | 1061 views

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announces the removal of a workforce barrier for over 330 experienced counsellors in publicly funded mental health services through a revised accreditation process with Health New Zealand and NZAC. The strengthened accreditation pathway aims to address workforce shortages and increase timely mental health support for New Zealanders. The initiative is part of broader efforts to reduce vacancies, utilize underutilized workforces, and improve access to mental health services.

Tags: Matt Doocey Health New Zealand New Zealand Association of Counsellors workforce barriers mental health support workforce shortages Health NZ counselling primary mental health workforce peer support specialists

New Zealand's Mental Health Workforce Growth: Ensuring Support When It's Needed

5 months ago | 1453 views

When someone is making the brave step of reaching out for help whether it’s you, your child, a friend or family member, this Government is committed to ensuring we have the right support in place to answer that call, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says. “It is promising to see reports showing New Zealand’s mental health and addiction workforce is growing. This will help us ensure that people are getting the support they need, when they need it and no one’s call is going unanswered,” Mr Doocey says.

Tags: Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey New Zealand Mental Health Addiction Health Workforce Health NZ Psychiatry Health New Zealand Te Pou

Data shows mental health access improving

6 months ago | 896 views

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the latest quarterly results for the Government’s mental health and addiction targets, saying the access targets reflect real progress in delivering faster, more accessible support to New Zealanders. "I'm pleased to see that at a national level, 84. 3 per cent of people are accessing primary mental health and addiction services within one week, well above the 80 per cent target and well above the quarter one result of 80.

Tags: Health nz Matt doocey Mental health New zealand Zealand