BUDGET 2019: Comprehensive Care response to the wellbeing budget and the government’s response to the Mental Health & Addiction Inquiry

Comprehensive Care welcomes the focus on health in the wellbeing budget, and the particular focus on improvements needed to mental health & addiction services (from the recent inquiry) as well as the budget.

Comprehensive Care is heartened by the agreement to progress 38/40 recommendations made by the inquiry panel, many of which are critical to primary health care service delivery.

Comprehensive Care has a key role in primary and public health – providing health services directly and supporting General Practices in the Waitematā DHB area.

Comprehensive Care provides free and low-cost mental health services, in a range of formats and locations, to avoid barriers to access.
Comprehensive Care strongly supports workforce capability development to maximise the delivery of timely, affordable, accessible and quality mental health services, and welcomes further investment in this area. Comprehensive Care participates in an innovative, collaborative training programme that improves early and effective mental health support in general practices.

Comprehensive Care is committed to enabling affirmative action for our Māori people, whānau and communities in addressing the gaps in mental health and addiction services through increased public funding.

Comprehensive Care welcomes the urgent completion of the national suicide prevention strategy and urges an emphasis within on a nationally developed consistent training programme in suicide risk and prevention in primary health care, including media management.