Media Release
31 May 2018
Federation of Primary Health Welcomes the Government’s Focus on Wellbeing
The Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa New Zealand (the Federation) is the largest interdisciplinary primary health
membership organisation in New Zealand. Our purpose is to provide national leadership on key issues affecting primary
health.
The 2019 Wellbeing Budget has a significant focus on mental health particularly within primary health settings, a boost
to Whānau Ora programmes to improve primary healthcare outcomes, an increase in funding to support a Pacific Health
workforce pipeline and suicide prevention services.
Hon. Steve Chadwick, Chair of the Federation, stated “We believe that prioritising and investing in primary health will
have the biggest impact on improving health and wellbeing outcomes.”
“The He Ara Oranga (the report of the Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction) showed that we needed a renewed focus on
mental health and addiction in New Zealand. Primary health is where people with emerging issues, or mild to moderate
mental health or addiction needs come to and where they can be best served.”
“We support evidence based primary health initiatives like Te Tumu Waiora where trained mental health workers can use a
range of talking therapies to provide immediate support that is accessible. We also recognise that our workforce has to
be sustained, supported and developed to be able to provide these services.”
“We believe that prioritising and investing in primary health will have the biggest impact on improving health and
wellbeing.”
Hon Steve Chadwick continued on to say, “It’s really hard to argue with the principle of high quality and sustainable
primary health care being available and accessible to all and being at the centre of a national health policy.”
“The Federation is focused on delivering on our purpose to provide national leadership on key issues affecting primary
health in New Zealand and we are looking forward to working with funders, agencies and primary health members and
providers to develop New Zealanders’ health and wellbeing.”
ENDS