Closing Suicide Prevention Office Among 134 Job Losses Proposed At Health

A raft of changes ordered by the Government proposes
axing the Suicide Prevention Office and other specialist
roles at Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health.

Proposed
changes announced by the Ministry today could see nearly one
in five positions – 134 roles – scrapped as part of the
Government’s drive to fund its tax cuts.

The Suicide
Prevention Office was established in 2019 under
recommendations of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health
and Addiction. The current proposal includes closing the
office, reducing by half the number of staff working on
suicide prevention and dispersing others across the
Ministry. The role of Director for the Office is proposed to
be axed along with the Senior Advisor
Māori.

“The Government should be
investing more in suicide prevention, so we stop more
families from suffering the tragedy of suicide, not making
these cold-hearted and dangerous cuts,” said Duane Leo,
National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te
Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“This was an
Office that was set up for a good reason, it developed the
first national Suicide Prevention Action Plan and was
working closely with communities experiencing high rates of
suicide.”

Other specialist teams in the Clinical,
Community and Mental Health Directorate have also been
earmarked for possible downsizing. In addition, the Ministry
proposes downgrading the drug checking services function and
the loss of people doing important work in mental health and
addictions.

“This is core work in a functioning health
system and the impact will be felt across the country. We
should not be losing more specialist health workers in the
Ministry of Health.

“The proposals to axe the Suicide
Prevention Office and specialist health workers in mental
health make a mockery of the Government’s new portfolio of
Minister for Mental Health. We call on Minister Matt Doocey
to overturn these cuts which are simply being made to fund
tax cuts that New Zealand cannot afford.

“We know this
is an anxious time for many dedicated health workers. Their
work, including advising Ministers and supporting our health
system overall is vital. How at this time of stress in the
health system, does it make sense for the Government to
drive such damaging cuts at the Ministry?

“We have an
ageing population and face the increasing cost of medical
technology – all that requires a well-resourced Ministry to
provide the expert advice and support, so we make the best
decisions for an effective health system.

“Today is
another sad day for the public services New Zealanders rely
on and for dedicated public service workers who want to make
a difference for communities across the motu.

“The
Government has made a clear choice – it has the money to
invest in a public service that meets the challenges we face
today and tomorrow, but would rather give $15 billion away
in tax cuts,” said Duane Leo.

The proposed number
of disestablished positions broken down by
Directorate:

– Clinical, Community and Mental
Health: 34

– Corporate Services: 46

– Evidence
Research and Innovation: 31

– Government and Executive
Services: 41

– Māori Health: 2 (at this time – full
process latter half of 2024)

– Public Health Agency:
59

– Regulation and Monitoring: 41

– Strategy
Policy and Legislation:
39

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