59929 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health

59929 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health: Does the Minister agree with Te Whare Ma/ White House president Philip Townshend that in one incident, A&E staff turned away a man who was detoxing from alcohol, suicidal and homeless, and "he was in some danger of seizures, [but] he had no choice but to sleep on the street. He could’ve died that night”; if so, what, if anything, will he do to address this?

Hon Matt Doocey: I am aware that wait times to access specialised mental health services have increased due to growing demand and workforce shortages. However, I am advised that individuals requiring acute mental health support are still triaged accordingly and seen urgently. I am further advised that a joint agency programme of work involving Police, Health New Zealand and MSD is underway, aimed at ensuring that people in this situation get the right support from the right people at the right time.