11. Mental Health Services—Funding and Staffing LevelsDr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North) to the Minister of HealthMental Health Services—Funding and Staffing Levels11. Dr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North) to the Minister of Health: Did he authorise the Director Service Commissioning at the Ministry of Health to write to DHBs seeking confirmation that they would not pay their mental health workers additional amounts for providing mental health services at the minimum wage rates of care and support workers"; and does he support the prohibition of such payments and the cessation of payments if they have already begun?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health): Authorisation was not required as this is an operational issue that I would expect the ministry to handle. To be clear the ministry was reminding district health boards that they could not use money appropriated for the care and support workers' settlement to pay another group of workers. It was also pointed out that mental health workers have lodged a pay equity claim with the Employment Relations Authority and as such there is a process being followed. The ministry's approach is perfectly reasonable.Dr David Clark: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This was a question on notice. Am I to take from that final sentence from the Minister that he thinks it was reasonable that that means he supports the prohibition of such payments?Mr SPEAKER: No no—[Interruption] Order! I think on this occasion if the Minister could address the second part of the question because I am not sure whether that has been answered. [Interruption] Order! I am asking whether the Minister—he does not have to but I do not think the second part of that question has been clearly addressed. I invite the Minister if he wants to to address it.Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I thought you had to address one question and there are two there.Mr SPEAKER: No no—I just want to explain so there is no more difficulty in the future. If a primary question is put down it is quite in line for it to be two parts—and it often is—and it is expected that the Minister in preparing for the answer will address both parts. So I accept that the first part has been absolutely addressed but I am unsure as to the answer to the second part so I invite the Minister—Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Well as I said the ministry's approach is perfectly reasonable and I support it.Dr David Clark: Why were twice as many assaults happening per month at Wakari Hospital in Dunedin in the first 5 months of this year as compared with the previous year and does he think it might have something to do with a mental health service under pressure that has difficulty attracting and retaining senior staff?Mr SPEAKER: And then there are two supplementary questions there so the Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman can address one.Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: No I do not.Dr David Clark: How does he respond to psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald's assessment of yesterday's mental health announcement of $25 million shared across 17 pilots which he described as "tinkering"?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Dr MacDonald's views are well known and the election period is a time when people like Dr MacDonald start to express their views so I am really not surprised.Dr David Clark: Does he continue to describe Dr MacDonald and the presenters of the People's Mental Health Review to this Parliament as left-wing anti-Government activists?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Well the member might say that but I could not possibly comment.Dr David Clark: After 9 years of his Government why will he not agree to a short sharp review of mental health provision in New Zealand adequate funding to support any recommendations for change that would come from such a review additional public education and independent oversight of the sector—all recommendations of the People's Mental Health Report delivered to Parliament this year?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Well I am not sure where the member was earlier in the week but we announced a $100 million package on Monday—a very comprehensive approach. Informed by the science advisers 17 initiatives that take a long-term approach a life-course approach look to build resilience across the population as well as dealing with some of the most acute pressures in the system. So I suggest that the member goes and has a look at it. It is actually very good work that has been very well received apart from of course by Dr MacDonald.Dr David Clark: I seek leave to table a paper showing that the additional money spent represents one-tenth of 1 percent of the health budget.Mr SPEAKER: Order! I just need the source of the paper.Dr David Clark: It is from the Parliamentary Library prepared for my office today.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that information. Is there any objection? There is none.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Dr David Clark: Will he join with Labour and commit today to funding additional front-line mental health workers in Canterbury schools beyond the seven who are currently serving 136 schools? [Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! Because of the interjection coming the Minister has been unable to hear the question clearly and I did not either. I am going to invite the member to repeat the question.Dr David Clark: Will he join with Labour and commit today to funding additional front-line mental health workers in Canterbury schools beyond the seven who are currently serving 136 schools?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Well look once again I would encourage the member to go and look at that package that was announced on Monday and I am really surprised that he is not familiar with the detail but amongst that $100 million package there is a $23 million schools package which includes front-line workers and some of those will be in Canterbury. As well as that of course since the earthquakes there has been an extra $106 million put into Canterbury to support its health system through a very difficult period including $20 million that was announced in February 2016 in response to the Valentine's Day earthquakes. A lot of that actually went towards 27 front-line workers. It was a package consulted on with the front-line workers themselves and the community and furthermore $4.26 million was put into that region for mental health after the Kaikōura earthquakes at the end of last year. So there is a lot being done so there you go."