46738 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health

Written Question

Published date: 14 Aug 2024

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	46738 (2024)
Question asked:	31 Jul 2024
Member asking:	Ingrid Leary
Portfolio:	Minister for Mental Health
Minister replying:	Hon Matt Doocey
Answer received:	08 Aug 2024
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_46738_2024
Document guid:	32e8f751-a1dd-4d6d-8267-b89cf6e8770e

46738 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health: Does the minister agree with Dr Erik Monasterio, specialist in forensic psychiatry, that it is not morally acceptable or legally defensible to continue to utilise prisons to deal with the mental health crisis; if so, what actions, if any, will the minister take to address this?

Hon Matt Doocey: I am aware there are currently delays being experienced for some people in prison who need hospital care. One of my priorities is improving timely access to mental health services for people in prison, including access to Health New Zealand's forensic specialist mental health services, as well as those in Health NZ forensic inpatient units.