Call for Inquiry into Wellington 3DHBs Suicide Prevention
Urgent Call for Government Inquiry into Wellington 3DHBs Suicide Prevention and Postvention Service
Suicide Prevention worker Louise
Hutchinson is calling for an urgent independent government
inquiry into the Wellington Regions' 3DHB Suicide Prevention
and Postvention Service.
In March 2016 the Capital and Coast District Health Board (on behalf of the Wairarapa, Hutt Valley and Capital and Coast District Health Boards) tendered the Wellington Regions' Suicide Prevention and Postvention service to Lifeline Aotearoa. The intent of this service is to prevent suicide and to reduce the impact of suicide on individuals, families/whanau and impacted communities.
In 2005-06 the Ministry of Health used the best available research, data and other information to prepare a national strategy for preventing suicide. The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-16 provides a framework to guide national efforts during the period and help government agencies and others understand how various activities in different sectors fit together to prevent suicide.
DHBs led the plan's preparation and work with stakeholders. The Ministry of Health expects DHBs to focus on current risks, but also to preempt risk. DHBs are expected to work with government agencies and community groups to carry out plans.
Data confirms the increasing suicide rate in the Wellington region. Matters of concern the Government Inquiry urgently needs to investigate include;
• the implementation and delivery of the
Wellington Regions' Suicide Prevention and Postvention Plan
2015 to the present.
• suitability of Lifeline
Aotearoa to effectively meet contractual requirements.
• 3DHBs management of the Suicide Prevention and
Postvention Service including oversight and accountability
by the General Manager, 3DHB Mental Health, Addictions and
Intellectual Disability Services.
• the efficiency of
the Service Innovation and Performance (SIP) for the overall
governance and implementation of the 3DHBs Suicide
Prevention and Postvention Plan.
• the workplace
culture including bullying within both the suicide
prevention and postvention service. Research clearly
indicates the association between bullying involvement - on
both sides - and suicidal thoughts and behaviour's.
•
the efficiency and effectiveness of the 3DHB suicide
prevention and postvention service governance structure.
• the service's relationships with key stakeholders
such as - Māori, Pasifika, LGBQTI, elderly, youth and
tertiary education providers including Victoria University
of Wellington, Massey University of Wellington, Otago
University of Wellington, Whitireia New Zealand, Wellington
Institute of Technology.
• the performance of the
suicide prevention and postvention service in regards to
consumer complaints.
• the effective use of resources
and identify any
waste.
Petition:-
https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/inquiry-into-wellington-regions-suicide-prevention-and-postvention-services
ENDS