8. Question No. 8—HealthMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 8—Health8. MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of Health: What proportion of the mental health funding announced in Budget 2019 that was supposed to be spent by year two has been spent and what measurable difference if any has this made to the mental health of New Zealanders?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): As the member is aware $1.9 billion was announced in Budget 2019; $1.1 billion of that was made available for Vote Health and so my answer will be confined to the Vote Health part of it. To answer the first part of the member's question of the $1.1 billion around $350 million was made available to be spent by the end of year 2—that is 30 June this year—and as at mid-May this year roughly $290 million has been committed in contract. That is because the nature of the contracts is that they are invoiced on a monthly sort of basis; so we won't know until roughly August what has been fully spent to 30 June. To answer the second part of the member's question if we turn to the flagship integrated primary mental health and addiction services part of the package I can tell him that that service is now available in over 195 sites across 16 district health boards. It covers an enrolled patient population of about 1.4 million people. More than 360 fulltime-equivalent roles have been added to GP and community clinics to provide those services alongside 70 fulltime-equivalent roles in other access and choice services. Over 119000 sessions have been delivered with about 10000 people being seen per month. In addition to that we've established the pregnancy and parenting service in Eastern Bay of Plenty and Whanganui; we've established new alcohol and other drug support services and family and whānau peer support services in Taranaki; we've funded eight additional clinical psychology internships each year; we've topped up the Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund; and we've put in place 16 youth services across 15 DHB areas with more than 60 contract fulltime-equivalent roles and more sessions delivered. In addition to that we've established the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission the Suicide Prevention Office—I could go on.Matt Doocey: So what is his response to mental health advocate Mike King who said about the lack of improvement in mental health There is more than enough money in the system—it's just the incompetence at the top."?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I would say to Mr King exactly what I said in my answer to the member's primary question.Matt Doocey: So is Mike King wrong when he says things haven't changed in New Zealand's mental health sector; and if so why?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Mike King is a highly respected advocate for mental health a champion for that cause and he is entitled to his opinion. I disagree with him.Matt Doocey: Is he embarrassed that as a result of his Government's failure in mental health Mike King has—SPEAKER: Order! The member will start that question again.Matt Doocey: Is he embarrassed that as a result of the Government's failure to deliver in mental health Mike King has felt compelled to return the Order of Merit medal he awarded for his advocacy for mental health; and if not why not?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Regardless of what Mike King does in relation to the award made to him the reasons for that award stand. He is a highly regarded highly respected champion for the cause of improving the nation's mental health. He is a very fierce advocate for it and I support him in every step he takes in that regard.Matt Doocey: When Grant Robertson said he was having a conversation with the health Minister about whether the $1.9 billion is being adequately spent did he commit in that conversation to doing a better job?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I have regular conversations with the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Finance repeatedly expresses confidence in what I do."