10. IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Labour—Palmerston North) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
How many reports of drug and alcohol rehabilitation or treatment centres closing down or considering closing down has he received since becoming the Minister of Health?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
The Minister has received some official reports of drug and alcohol centres coming under financial pressure. He has received no official reports regarding the actual closure of drug and alcohol rehabilitation or treatment centres. I can advise the member that funding for those services comes under the mental health funding, and that the mental health funding is being increased by around $174 million over the next 4 years.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
Has the Minister of Corrections ever advocated to him to retain or increase the funding for the St Marks Adult Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centre in Blenheim and the Care NZ clinic in Ōtāhuhu, which are threatening to close down?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
I am not able to advise the member of what discussions there have been between the Minister of Corrections and the Minister of Health, but I can tell that member that I am advised by the relevant district health board that the contract for two extra treatment beds at St Marks Adult Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centre is not being renewed. That contract was agreed pro rata at $56,000 per annum, or $90,000 for 15 months. However, the Ministry of Health has since November 2009 funded one special detox bed for methamphetamine users, at a cost of $42,000 per annum. In relation to Care NZ, I am advised that the Ōtāhuhu clinic has been running an alcohol and drug treatment service for many years, receiving around $250,000 per annum, surprisingly enough funded by the Hutt District Health Board. I am further advised that the Hutt District Health Board has given funding to the three Auckland district health boards that have advised Care NZ that the contract due for renewal in 2010 will not be renewed. The intention is for the three district health boards to provide services differently, although I understand that the Counties Manukau District Health Board is approaching Care NZ to provide some services locally, but at a different level.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
Does he agree with the Minister of Corrections that drug and alcohol problems amongst offenders are best dealt with in the community rather than in prisons; if so, why has he discontinued funding for programmes such as those of St Marks Adult Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centre in Blenheim and the Care NZ clinic in Ōtāhuhu, both of which have been providing successful community rehabilitation services for offenders?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
I think I have explained the situation quite clearly regarding Care NZ and the St Marks clinic, and there is no question but that Ministers have a united position on this matter.
Iain Lees-Galloway Link to this
Does he agree with the statement from the Minister of Corrections in the House yesterday that other Ministry of Health - funded services will pick up the slack from the St Marks closure; if so, how does he expect the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board will manage, when its mental health budget decreased by nearly $650,000 between last year and 2010-11?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
I would have to check the Hansard to see what was said, but it is quite clear that Ministers have a united position on this matter, and the overriding fact is that an extra $174 million over 4 years is going into mental health. There is plenty of money available for services, but district health boards have to make reprioritisations within that.
Rahui KateneIs it appropriate for district health boards to compete by taking the funding from existing successful services and utilising the funding to help to prop up their own budgets, as is the case with the Waikato District Health Board; and what can the Minister do about that?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
It is up to district health boards to find the best value for the funding that they receive. Contracts are not renewed or are ended for a variety of reasons.