11. Mental Health Services—Demand and FundingJENNY SALESA (Labour—Manukau East) to the Minister of HealthMental Health Services—Demand and Funding11. JENNY SALESA (Labour—Manukau East) to the Minister of Health: Does he think it's acceptable that after nine years of a National-led Government the Ministry of Health's budget bid shows it does not have an understanding of the mental health population workforce and interventions" according to Treasury?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): Sorry but Treasury is just wrong on this. The member has to understand that Treasury generally opposes any extra spending in health and always comes up with reasons to justify its position. The member will however be delighted to learn that the Government is right now working on how it will invest the $100 million extra announced for cross-sector mental health initiatives in this year's Budget. This will build on the $300 million extra that has been invested in mental health by this Government the 150 extra psychiatrists and 600 extra mental health nurses.Jenny Salesa: If the Minister of Health and his ministry do understand the mental health needs of New Zealanders why is it taking over 2 months for him to explain what half of his funding announcement on mental health is from Budget 2017?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: What the member needs to understand is that $224 million allocated in the Budget is being supported by the mental health strategy which Cabinet has been considering as well as a very detailed plan for new and innovative solutions which the Government is currently working on. But I can tell the member that this is a difficult area. Governments right across the Western World are looking for new solutions and she will be very delighted with the plan when it is announced in due course.Jenny Salesa: Is it acceptable that last year the number of children and young people waiting more than 3 weeks to see mental health services increased from the previous year with nearly 1500 across the country last year waiting over 8 weeks to get the help they need?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Overall in the mental health system waiting times have decreased but you have got to understand also that demand has increased. So 8 years ago 96000 people were seeking specialist mental health services; last year it was 168000—a big jump much greater than the growth of the population over that period.Jenny Salesa: Is it acceptable that 1824 children and young people were turned away from child and adolescent mental health services across the country a 153 percent increase in rejected referrals since 2012 under this Government?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: There are a couple of elements there. I mean as I have outlined demand has increased but look you would have to do an analysis of those figures that the member is putting. I know she is not the regular person asking the questions but I must admit the questions are better. But the point is—Mr SPEAKER: Order! We will just complete the answer.Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: —you would have to actually look at the referral patterns and what those referrals actually detail to really understand what is going on there.Jenny Salesa: Does he believe that there need to be school-based health services to provide mental health support in all secondary schools not just deciles 1 to 3; if so will he support Labour's policy to extend school-based health services in all public secondary schools?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Well as the member has pointed out that is Labour policy. Look it is well intentioned but it is not actually going to deliver the results intended."