Blueprint II

In my role as Chair Commissioner for the Mental Health Commission I have been asked by the Minister of Health to lead the development of a new Blueprint for Mental Health and Addiction services.

This work will update the 1998 ‘Blueprint for Mental Health Services in New Zealand: How Things Need to Be’. The original Blueprint document has been guiding mental health and addiction resourcing and service development for the past decade and sector feedback is that it now needs updating to better reflect today’s challenges, evidence and innovation.

We need to ensure that we build on the gains already made for mental health services in New Zealand. It is our expectation that the new Blueprint will remain the core national resourcing framework for mental health and addiction services in New Zealand, and will aim to provide a clear pathway for aligning need, services, resourcing and performance measures. It will also guide ongoing improvements and innovation for mental health and addiction services over the next decade.

For the project to be successful we are planning to deliver:
1. A sustainable national resourcing pathway for mental health and addiction services, including advice on any ring-fence modifications.
2. Clear direction for long-term evolution of mental health services to improve access, responsiveness, productivity and outcomes, including quantification of goals and KPIs in accordance with existing strategies.
3. Mechanisms to assess current performance, evidence based resourcing and service development decisions across the health continuum.
4. Advice on district-level fl exibility and accountability to achieve an effective and efficient local response.

The new Blueprint will align with the priorities established in the Service Development Plan being developed by the Ministry of Health, due for release this year, and the recently published Health Workforce New Zealand leadership on future service models and workforce needs.

The new Blueprint development will be led by the Mental Health Commission with external support. There is a joint governance structure including the Ministry of Health, Health Workforce New Zealand and Mental Health Commission representatives, that will oversee the alignment of these projects. In addition, a team of sector experts has been established to provide the Commission with expert clinical, policy, funding, management, consumer and family advice specifically for this
project.

I consider that an inclusive and transparent process is critical to the success of this project, hence we plan to communicate with you regularly and share draft materials with you early so you can be part of the process. I welcome your critique and suggestions as we proceed and look forward to you helping us develop high-quality outputs
.
Key dates
• A draft concept document released for sector feedback (October 2011): Release of a concept document which outlines the proposed scope for the new Blueprint. Feedback from the sector to inform the development of the draft discussion document.
• A draft new Blueprint discussion document for consultation (December 2011): Release of an initial ‘discussion document’. Consultation with the sector throughout early 2012.
• A final new Blueprint document and associated resources (May 2012): Release of final new Blueprint document and associated advice on policy settings and implementation.

Getting involved
• Read regular updates on our website www.mhc.govt.nz/ new-blueprint
• Contact us to receive regular email updates info@mhc. govt.nz
• Provide feedback to draft documents online
• Attend presentations and discussions with key sector groups
• If you have any further questions about how to get involved
phone us on (04) 474 8900

This work is of importance and must deliver real value to the sector and our consumers. The timeframes to complete this work are constrained, but with your help we can make this project successful. I welcome your support and know that the work will greatly benefit from your expertise, so please do get involved.

I look forward to working alongside you over the coming months on this critical piece of work for the mental health and addiction sector.

Lynne Lane
Chair Commissioner