Labour Failing Mentally Unwell And Police
Tuesday 10 Jun 2003 Heather Roy Press Releases -- Health
While police have done a fantastic job plugging the gaps in the mental health system, it is not their job - prison and
jail are no place for the mentally unwell, ACT New Zealand Health Spokesman Heather Roy said today.
"The situation has proven unfair, both on the mentally unwell, and on police. Cells are no place for the mentally
unwell, and police are increasingly expected to paper over the cracks in our fragmented mental health system," Mrs Roy
said.
"Auckland's current mental health situation is beyond crisis point - a problem largely due to a lack of acute mental
health beds, and Labour's swing from in-patient care to community care. The other major problem is the severe shortage
of mental health workers - it is a tribute to their dedication that there is any mental healthcare available at all.
"But, in true Government style, the pendulum has swung too far. Now there are insufficient beds for patients with acute
psychiatric symptoms. This, combined with a shortage of trained workers, means that psychiatric services in the Auckland
region are overstretched.
"More and more patients are slipping through the cracks of our health system. So far, police have effectively provided
the only safety net, but it is unacceptable for them to be expected to do so. Prison and police cells are no place for
the mentally unwell, and police are not psychiatric professionals.
"It is time that the Government began addressing these issues, and stopped failing the mentally unwell and police," Mrs
Roy said.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.