Community-led health advocacy groups in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes are pushing for better access to vital mental health services for frontline workers.

Health Action Wanaka (HAW) has led the charge by securing a meeting with Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey on July 1.

The group has been pushing for equitable access to health services across the region, including priority of the Government’s $30 million radiology funding announced last year.

The funding would mean that local GPs could refer patients for diagnostic imaging directly, thereby reducing the need for people to have to travel to the city.

Health Action Wanaka also want to talk to Minister Doocey about the introduction of psychiatric consultations via telehealth for not-for-profit organisations, and community frontline mental health and addiction services within 12 months.

Central Otago and Queenstown Mayors and MPs have all been advocating for better health services across the region, and Tamah Alley used an opportunity recently to question the Southern Medical Officer of Health and Problem Gaming Foundation about the level of support from addiction services in the area.

Mayor Alley said it was great that the Minister was making himself available to meet with local advocacy groups from the area. 

“Many of the challenges highlighted by Health Action Wanaka are also applicable to Central Otago.

“We know that improved access to health services is of great importance to our communities, especially as we grow in size, and age. I remain committed to a collaborative approach to health, as this will deliver the best and most equitable outcomes to all people in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes.”

She was very supportive of Wanaka folk being able to access a publicly funded blood collection service – which most New Zealanders already have.

Mayor Alley remained fully engaged in the local health working group/steering committee with Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers and the local MPs.

Health Action Wanaka said there were a number of metrics that demonstrated the inequity in access to health services in many parts of the Southern health region.

Large areas of the Southern region were underserved by secondary outpatient and specialist healthcare, particularly maternity, paediatric, chemotherapy and radiology, palliative care, community pharmacists, aged care, and mental health services. 

The group recognised that funding decisions needed to be based on more than just population size, and must be responsive to the particular needs of each community.

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