New Zealanders are seeing progress in improving wait times for mental health support.
The government's second-quarter target data shows encouraging results in reducing wait times, with 83.9 percent of people accessing primary mental health services within one week and 81.9 percent of people seen by specialist mental health services within three weeks. The number of people accessing these services has increased by 3.1 and 1.5 percent respectively.
However, there is still work to be done, particularly in reducing longer stays in emergency departments. While 65 percent of people were admitted, discharged, or transferred from an ED within six hours in the second quarter, this falls short of the government's target of 95 percent.
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the progress made but emphasized that accountability is vital and more work needs to be done, particularly in regions underperforming. The government will continue to take a proactive approach to improving access and providing timely mental health support when needed.