5151 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health

5151 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health: Does the Ministry of Health’s staff consultation document on cost savings propose a reduction in roles at the Suicide Prevention Office?

Hon Matt Doocey: I am advised that matters regarding staffing at the Ministry of Health are the responsibility of the Director-General of Health. The Ministry is currently consulting with its staff on changes to its organisational structure and no final decisions have been made. I am further advised that there is a proposal to disestablish four roles in the Suicide Prevention Office and transfer the reporting line of two roles, the future of the Suicide Prevention Office’s work programme and function will be carried out by 6.5 FTEs, rather than 5.5 FTEs in a new organisational structure. I was not consulted on the on the proposed changes to the Suicide Prevention Office until my weekly meeting with officials on 8 April 2024. The Ministry has signalled it could have been clearer on this matter and has already publicly apologised for the confusion.