Unions Criticize New Mental Health Response Changes Amid Safety Concerns

The union representing over 95,000 workers across various sectors has condemned recent changes to the mental health response programme in New Zealand, citing significant risks to both worker and patient safety. These alterations, which took effect this week as part of Phase Three of the programme, introduce a higher threshold for mental health workers seeking police assistance when dealing with unwell patients. Additionally, new procedures are now in place for handling patients who abscond from mental health facilities.

Fleur Fitzsimons, national secretary of the Public Service Association (PSA), stated, “We have been consistent on this since the Mental Health Response Change launched: these changes are dangerous and will cause harm.” She urged Health New Zealand to thoroughly evaluate the support necessary following the reduced police involvement in mental health crises.

Concerns about police assistance have also been voiced by local mental health facilitators. Kate Murray, general manager of Community Link in Wānaka, expressed hope that the relationship with local police would remain unaffected despite the changes. “We have a great relationship with the local police and hope that this won’t change as a result of the changes,” she said.

Under the new guidelines, police intervention is only permitted when there is an imminent threat to life or property. Emergency calls will now be triaged alongside other requests received through the emergency hotline. Fitzsimons emphasized that mental health professionals often work in hazardous conditions where unpredictable behaviour can occur. “Mental health nurses and healthcare assistants work in what can be quite dangerous conditions… they must have a direct line to Police,” she asserted.

The backdrop to these changes includes incidents that have raised alarms about police handling of mental health situations. In April, the New Zealand Police acknowledged shortcomings in their response to a December 2024 incident in Wānaka involving two mental health workers and a patient known for violent behaviour. The police declined to assist in transporting the individual, who had a history of physical and sexual assaults, suggesting the workers either hire a bodyguard or manage the transfer themselves.

Following the incident, the patient was released due to safety concerns, only to be found later at a Haast motel, from which he escaped, prompting a search operation. This case highlighted ongoing challenges related to the Mental Health Response Change Programme and prompted further scrutiny of police procedures.

Concerns Over Patient Safety and Police Capacity

A critical aspect of the programme is the stipulation that if a person is detained under the Mental Health Act while in police custody, they must be transferred to a health facility within 30 minutes. Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson remarked on the discrepancies in interpreting Section 109 of the Mental Health Act 1992, particularly regarding the handover of detained individuals in hospital emergency departments.

Fitzsimons noted that mental healthcare staff are concerned not only for their own safety but also for their patients. “Mental health workers understand that the Police can’t do everything. But there are a whole lot of what-ifs that haven’t been thought through, and at the end of the day patients and families are the ones who miss out.”

In response to the concerns raised, Assistant Commissioner Johnson emphasized the commitment of Health New Zealand and the police to collaborate on safely implementing the changes. “We are determined to get this right and have been taking the time to ensure the plan for Phase Three and its implementation will be safe and clear,” he stated.

The changes are being rolled out nationally across all police and Health New Zealand districts, with ongoing adjustments made based on feedback from local teams. Johnson elaborated that any non-emergency requests for assistance and missing person reports from mental health services will now be evaluated against updated guidelines that consider immediate safety risks and the potential for significant future harm.

Karla Bergquist, director of specialist mental health and addiction at Health New Zealand, reiterated the importance of patient and staff safety. “The detailed planning work for Phase Three identified a range of scenarios which cannot be managed by health practitioners alone, or where there may be a need for Police assistance,” she concluded.

As the rollout of these changes continues, the ongoing dialogue between mental health professionals and law enforcement will be crucial to ensuring that both patient care and staff safety remain priorities in New Zealand’s mental health system.