12. Mental Health Services—Access and FundingDr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North) to the Minister of HealthMental Health Services—Access and Funding12. Dr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North) to the Minister of Health: How many more New Zealanders are accessing mental health and addiction services now than in 2007/08 expressed as a percentage increase; and what is the corresponding percentage growth in funding for mental health and addiction services over the same time period?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): People now access mental health services via a wide range of channels from online advice and self-help support to telehealth services to visiting their GPs or NGO services through to accessing secondary care services. Therefore it is not possible to specifically quantify the total numbers or percentage increase in the way that the member asks for. However I am able to assure him that funding for mental health has grown faster than population growth and inflation under this Government. At the same time more New Zealanders are accessing more services faster than under the previous Government.Dr David Clark: Can he confirm that his quality initiative announcement today amounts to a review that is not called a review that district health boards are being asked to fund themselves with a review of the review in 3 years' time?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: I am glad the member draws attention to the speech that I gave today. The quality initiative that we have announced is all about making sure that we continue to improve and increase the quality of mental health services. It is about less use of seclusion. It is about consistent use of prescribing around the country. It is about adequate response to adverse events and continuing to increase service access for all New Zealanders.Dr David Clark: Why did he not have funding for mental health services approved for Budget through the regular Budget process that started last year when there were widespread stories of psychiatric unit bed closures thousands of Kiwi kids waiting more than 8 weeks for treatment and the highest number of suicides recorded since 2007-08?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: That member would have no idea of the discussions that Cabinet has had on the subject.Dr David Clark: In light of his speech today that he would be seeking funding for mental health and addiction services and initiatives over the final weeks before Budget day why did he not do this earlier?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Well look I know the member is a fool of a defrocked priest but he has no idea what I have done earlier. [Interruption]Hon David Parker: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. (1) He has got his religion wrong; (2) Dr Clark is not a defrocked priest; and (3) he is wrong to respond in that manner at question time. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am going to ask the Minister to stand and withdraw that comment.Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: I withdraw and apologise. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! I expect far better behaviour particularly from a senior whip.Dr David Clark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. My question was about seeking funding in the final weeks before Budget day. Is the Minister saying that that is not how the process has happened—Mr SPEAKER: Order! No. Order! The member will resume his seat. Because of the answer that was given and because it is now some time since we had the question I am going to invite the member to ask the question again.Dr David Clark: In light of his speech today that he would be seeking funding for mental health and addiction services and initiatives over the final weeks before Budget day why did he not do this earlier?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: I do not think the member should misquote my speech and the other point is he does not know what I have done earlier and what discussions the Cabinet has had. The other point I would raise is Dr Clark's quote in Critic just last week where he says decent high quality healthcare should be above party politics". I mean I am surprised Dr Clark would say one thing to Critic and another to the House. And as I have said I know he is a fool but this really is remarkable.Mr SPEAKER: Order! Order! We are not going there.Dr David Clark: So does he now deny that his announcement a few weeks out from the Budget that he will take a paper to Cabinet "shortly" amounts to the political equivalent of "The dog ate my homework."?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: As I said I know that the member is a fool but no I do not agree with him. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Labour caucus has used all of its supplementary questions. [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! [Interruption] Order! Mr Coleman.Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman: Dr Coleman.Mr SPEAKER: Dr Coleman. [Interruption] The Hon Dr Coleman—but it gives you no more right to interject across the House when I am on my feet."