7. Question No. 7—Mental HealthCARL BATES (National—Whanganui) to the Minister for Mental HealthQuestion No. 7—Mental Health7. CARL BATES (National—Whanganui) to the Minister for Mental Health: What recent announcements has he made regarding mental health?Hon MATT DOOCEY (Minister for Mental Health): Today I'm pleased to announce a new mental health and addiction peer support service in hospital emergency departments (EDs). The service will see peer support workers embedded within EDs to provide additional support for those with mental health needs and their families in a time of need. It will also help connect people in crisis to community support. I've heard from many in the sector who want to see peer support specialists playing a greater role in helping to address some of the challenges faced by our mental health services including using their established workforce to start taking the pressure of our specialist services in EDs.Carl Bates: What actions is the Government taking to grow the peer support workforce?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Today I also announced a $1 million workforce fund over two years that's been set up to provide a level 4 New Zealand certificate in health and wellbeing peer support training and specific training for working in EDs. Peer support specialists play a vital role within this workforce and it's essential that we put in place specific initiatives to grow and support them.Carl Bates: What impact will these new services have on emergency departments?Hon MATT DOOCEY: I've been advised that between 13000 and 14000 people present annually to EDs with mental health issues. This service will help provide timely mental health and addiction support for those in need whilst helping relieve pressure on ED staff. This service will also support police who respond to a number of mental health call outs and in many cases have to wait with the patient for several hours in ED before they can be handed over to a mental health specialist. Embedding peer support workers in ED will allow for a warm handover from police which will mean they can get back on the street faster to keep our community safe.Ingrid Leary: Will the Minister commit to appropriate levels of care for people experiencing mental health distress from when they arrive in the emergency departments continuously and until after they leave by peer support and medical workers to ensure this programme keeps people safe and can't be exploited to gain waiting time targets for ED?Hon MATT DOOCEY: What I can commit to is this Government will get more money out of the Beehive to the grassroots NGOs that are ready to respond to the needs in mental health. That's exactly what we've done today with uncommitted funding that they left sitting in the Beehive.Carl Bates: What feedback has he received from the mental health sector?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Today's announcement has been described by the sector as a positive move with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission saying people who are experiencing mental distress who arrive at EDs will be supported while they wait. This will be positive for both the department and people seeking help. The peer support workforce has a lot to offer and it's encouraging to see the expansion of these roles.