Articles tagged with Matt Doocey
New Zealand Improves Mental Health Access with Faster Support and More Workers
12 hours ago | 53 viewsNew Zealand's mental health and addiction services are improving, with faster access to support and more frontline workers, as evidenced by meeting four out of five key targets and increased demand for primary care. The government has implemented significant workforce expansions, new training pathways, and enhanced crisis response initiatives, resulting in reduced vacancy rates and better timeliness of services. Independent confirmation from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission highlights ongoing progress, though challenges remain, particularly in emergency department wait times, as efforts continue to build a more effective mental health system.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand Mental Health and Addiction Health New Zealand Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Clinical Psychology Psychiatry Crisis Recovery Cafés Peer Support WorkersUniversity of Waikato Medical School Clinical Training Regions Confirmed for 2028
1 week ago | 185 viewsThe University of Waikato's new medical school, starting in 2028, will train 120 graduate-entry students annually, with clinical placements across five regional areas to encourage doctors to practice in underserved communities. A nationwide distributed clinical placement network is being established to coordinate training across New Zealand’s three medical schools, including new Community Clinical Learning Centres in smaller towns to support rural healthcare workforce growth. This initiative aims to build a stronger, regionally connected health workforce by embedding students in their home regions, addressing long-term shortages in primary care and rural health services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey University of Waikato New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine Waikato Hospital Tauranga Hospital Taranaki Base Hospital Hawke's Bay Hospital Nelson Hospital Health New ZealandWaikato Medical School Clinical Training Regions Confirmed for 2028 Launch
1 week ago | 148 viewsThe University of Waikato's new medical school, starting in 2028, will train 120 graduate-entry students annually with clinical placements across five regional areas to encourage doctors to practice in underserved communities. A new national distributed clinical placement network, developed with Health New Zealand and other universities, will coordinate opportunities and establish Community Clinical Learning Centres in smaller towns to support rural training and retention. This initiative aims to strengthen New Zealand's domestic medical workforce by embedding students in regional and rural settings, addressing long-term shortages, and building a more regionally connected health system.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey University of Waikato New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine Waikato Hospital Tauranga Hospital Taranaki Base Hospital Hawke's Bay Hospital Nelson Hospital Health New ZealandGovernment Launches Rural Wellbeing Champions Programme to Support Young Farmers
2 weeks ago | 185 viewsThe Government is investing $98,000 in the Rural Wellbeing Champions Programme, embedded within the New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year Contest, to develop young rural leaders who can support mental health and wellbeing in their communities. This initiative, delivered in partnership with New Zealand Young Farmers and Farmstrong, aims to equip up to 150 participants with skills to navigate rural pressures and lead wellbeing conversations. The investment complements a broader mental health plan, enhancing support services and fostering resilient rural communities for the future.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mark Patterson New Zealand Young Farmers Rural Wellbeing Champions Programme Farmstrong Mental Health Rural Communities Young Farmers Government Investment Mental Health MinisterBudget 2026 Boosts Mental Health with $100M for Faster Support and More Workers
2 weeks ago | 148 viewsThe Government’s Budget 2026 allocates over $100 million across four years to enhance mental health services, focusing on faster access, increased frontline workers, and improved crisis response. Key investments include $20.18 million for maternal mental health, $28.45 million for psychology assistant roles, and $51.72 million to open 20 new inpatient beds, prioritizing regions with the highest demand. Additional initiatives support early family intervention, peer support, community-driven solutions, and expanded training pathways to strengthen the mental health workforce and better support New Zealanders in need.
Tags: Matt Doocey Budget 2026 mental health maternal mental health psychology assistant inpatient beds frontline workforce perinatal bereavement Health New Zealand NGOsSouth Island’s First Rural Training Hub to Boost Healthcare Workforce on West Coast
2 weeks ago | 261 viewsThe South Island’s first Rural Training Hub will be established on the West Coast to train and retain doctors, nurses, and midwives for rural New Zealand, addressing workforce shortages and improving local healthcare access. This hub, the third of four nationwide, aims to support clinical placements, strengthen training pathways, and align workforce planning with community needs. A dedicated Programme Lead will collaborate with local partners to enhance education and training opportunities, ensuring rural communities receive timely, quality care.
Tags: Matt Doocey South Island Rural Training Hub West Coast New Zealand healthcare rural communities workforce development clinical placements rural generalismNew Tauranga Mental Health Co-Response Team Enhances Crisis Support
3 weeks ago | 224 viewsTauranga has launched a new mental health co-response team combining Police and mental health workers to better support people in crisis, replacing the traditional criminal justice response to 111 calls. This initiative, part of a $28 million Budget 2025 investment, aims to reduce distress caused by Police-only responses and improve outcomes by providing specialized mental health support. The program builds on successful models like Wellington’s, addressing high regional demand and correcting previous funding cuts under the former government.
Tags: Matt Doocey Tauranga Mental Health Minister New Zealand Police Mental Health Act Bay of Plenty Wellington Labour Government National PartyGovernment Backs $4.5M Rangiora Eastern Link Road Project in North Canterbury
1 month ago | 318 viewsThe Government has approved $4.5 million in funding for the initial stages of the Rangiora Eastern Link project, a 3km road to improve access in North Canterbury’s largest town and alleviate congestion on Southbrook Road. With an expected 5,000 new dwellings by 2048, the project addresses growing traffic pressures and supports infrastructure development aligned with government policy. The total project cost is estimated between $65.5 million and $78.8 million, with the Waimakariri District Council covering part of the early expenses and seeking further funding from NZTA after detailed design and property acquisition.
Tags: James Meager Matt Doocey NZ Transport Agency Waimakariri District Council Rangiora Eastern Link North Canterbury Southbrook Road State Highway 71 Government Policy Statement National GovernmentNZ Minister Matt Doocey Leads HealthTech Delegation at Digital Health Festival 2026
1 month ago | 286 viewsMinister Matt Doocey will travel to Australia to attend the Digital Health Festival 2026 in Melbourne, leading a delegation of 26 New Zealand HealthTech companies, highlighting the sector's significant $3.9 billion contribution to the economy. This marks New Zealand's largest presence at the festival, reflecting strong industry growth and innovation in digital healthcare. Additionally, he will visit Mental Health Commissions in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia to gather insights for an upcoming review of New Zealand's Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand Digital Health Festival HealthTech Mental Health Commissions Australia Queensland Victoria Western Australia Mental Health and Wellbeing CommissionWaikato Hospital Opens 10 New Forensic Mental Health Beds to Boost Support
1 month ago | 303 viewsWaikato Hospital has opened ten new forensic inpatient beds to improve access to specialist mental health support, addressing growing demand within the corrections system where mental health needs are high. This expansion is part of a $51 million government investment that also includes community-based step-down beds, wrap-around support services, and workforce development to enhance treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The initiative aims to ensure patient and public safety by providing adequate care and strengthening pathways from inpatient care to community reintegration.
Tags: Matt Doocey Waikato Hospital Mental Health Forensic Services Midland Region Ember Health NZ Government Addiction RehabilitationNew Free Mental Health Toolkit Boosts Workplace Productivity for Businesses
1 month ago | 232 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey launched a free Business Mental Health Toolkit to help small and medium-sized businesses improve workplace productivity by addressing mental health. The toolkit offers confidential support through the Groov app, 24/7 counselling via text or call, and in-person services, aiming to reduce barriers like cost associated with Employee Assistance Programmes. This initiative is part of the Government’s broader mental health plan to enhance access to support, increase frontline workers, and improve crisis response.
Tags: mental health workplace productivity Matt Doocey Employee Assistance Programmes EAP Groov app mental health toolkit Access and Choice mental health supportSouth Island Needle Exchange Programme Launches to Reduce Substance Harm
1 month ago | 329 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey officially opened the South Island Needle Exchange Programme, New Zealand’s first harm reduction initiative aimed at preventing substance-related harm and reducing blood-borne infections like HIV and hepatitis C. The programme, delivered by the Te Waipounamu Collective, provides not only clean equipment but also health information, overdose prevention, and referral services to support people at all stages of addiction. This initiative complements broader government efforts, including increased investment in substance harm prevention, workforce expansion, and community-based support services, resulting in improved health outcomes and reduced addiction-related harms.
Tags: Matt Doocey South Island Needle Exchange Programme Te Waipounamu Collective Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Trust He Waka Tapu Poutini Waiora Te Piki Oranga Mental Health Minister HIV preventionNorthland Launches Youth Acute Respite Service and Suicide Prevention Roles
1 month ago | 387 viewsNorthland is receiving improved youth mental health support with the launch of a dedicated Youth Acute Respite Service and three additional Youth Suicide Prevention Coordination roles, backed by $1.7 million in annual funding. This initiative responds to a coroner’s report on the loss of six young people, aiming to provide earlier crisis intervention and reduce hospital admissions by creating a more connected support system. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible mental health services nationwide and addressing identified regional needs.
Tags: Matt Doocey Youth Acute Respite Service Youth Suicide Prevention Mental Health Northland Coroner's Report Health New Zealand Suicide Prevention Coordination Mental Health Funding New Zealand GovernmentThe 80s Calling Campaign: Ending HIV Stigma and Discrimination in New Zealand
2 months ago | 339 viewsAssociate Health Minister Matt Doocey launched the “The 80s Calling” campaign to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination in New Zealand, targeting especially older generations influenced by outdated fears from the 1980s. Despite progress in reducing HIV infections, nearly three-quarters of New Zealanders still hold some stigma, which hinders the goal of zero transmission by 2030. The campaign, developed with key organizations and supported by new mental health services, will run across multiple media platforms to promote accurate information and inclusivity for people living with HIV.
Tags: Matt Doocey The 80s Calling Burnett Foundation Aotearoa Positive Women Body Positive New Zealand HIV AIDS Gen X Undetectable = UntransmittableNew Peer Support Workers Introduced in Whangārei, Hutt Valley, and Hawke’s Bay EDs
2 months ago | 389 viewsWhangārei, Hutt Valley, and Hawke’s Bay hospitals will soon have peer support workers in their emergency departments, joining eight other hospitals already offering this service as part of a $61.6 million funding boost for better mental health crisis response. Peer support workers use their lived experience to help patients feel understood and supported during vulnerable times, improving connection to follow-up care and overall crisis support. This expansion aims to provide faster access to frontline workers and enhance mental health care across New Zealand.
Tags: Whangārei Hutt Valley Hawke’s Bay Matt Doocey Counties Manukau Auckland Waitematā Christchurch Hamilton Dunedin