Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
The PSA has slammed Health NZ’s decision to move to the final phase of the Police’s Mental Health Response Change Programme as not only ill-conceived but dangerous for health workers and mental health patients alike.
Health NZ confirmed today that the final phase of Police’s withdrawal from mental health call-outs will see handover times at hospital emergency departments cut from 60 minutes to 30 minutes, rather than the 15 minutes originally planned. The final phase had been on hold while the changes were reviewed, following safety concerns raised by health workers, ambulance staff, unions and the Mental Health Foundation.
“This is not addressing the problem with this ill-conceived and poorly planned programme,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Going from 60 minutes to 30 minutes does not change our fundamental concern about this programme. Mental health workers are still being assaulted, and this was never properly planned for in the first place.
“The whole programme should be shelved. Time and again we’ve raised the dangers with Health NZ and Police, and time and again we’ve been told the changes would proceed regardless.
“This is a serious health and safety issue which why we complained to the IPCA who agreed with us that violence and assaults against mental health workers are a ‘significant concern’ – but stated that it does not have the resources to investigate the Police Mental Health Response Change Programme.
“No health worker should ever be left facing a situation where the police aren’t there to help them. Health NZ have told staff that they should simply remove themselves from a dangerous situation – but we’ve heard from workers that’s completely impractical advice.
“It is fundamental that the safety of workers, patients and the public is the priority here – not an afterthought.
“Just like any New Zealanders, mental health workers should always be able to expect that police will be there to help them – at the other end of the phone, ready to respond – not treated as an option of last resort.
“We’re calling on Health NZ and the Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey, to shelve this flawed programme altogether, and to properly resource mental health services so that workers, patients and the public are safe.”
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The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.