Mental Health and Addictions Continuum of Care Review a step to bringing aspirations to life

Recent years have seen an enormous focus on developing a strong strategic foundation for the development of mental health and addictions services.

This has occurred nationally with the Mental Health and Addictions Inquiry and resulting plan He Ara Oranga, and for the Southern health system with the Primary and Community Care Strategy, and Raise Hope – Hāpai te Tūmanako Strategy 2019-2023.

Now, Southern DHB has commenced the next step in bringing these strategies to life, with a review of our mental health and addictions continuum of care.

“The review aims to examine our current services against contemporary best practice, and identify opportunities for improving patient and staff experience. We need to make the most of this important work – now is the time to be truly courageous and forward-looking, as we design the best system for those who need it,” said Southern DHB CEO Chris Fleming.

“A Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify an external consultancy to support the delivery of the review is now underway, and a steering committee to oversee the work is being formed. Mental health service users, stakeholders and staff from across the Southern health system will have the chance to participate in the review, and we thank everyone who has worked with us on our previous strategies and work to date, to prepare for this opportunity.”