Nelson Marlborough Health have proved they can listen to workers, the PSA says - now they must listen to their community and protect mental health services for vulnerable young people.

After mediation, the DHB has changed its position on their proposed roster for its adult mental health crisis team, which would have been severely stretched had the changes gone ahead.

But PSA Organiser Mike Cunliffe says the DHB must now ditch its proposals to disband the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service crisis team (CAMHS).

"We are pleased the DHB has shown willingness to listen to mental health workers’ voices before they charge ahead with plans that could hurt vulnerable people in our region," Mr Cunliffe says.

"But the Nelson mental health crisis team could now face even heavier workloads if the CAMHS crisis team is disbanded.

"This team is a highly specialised service which provides 24-hour crisis services for under-18s.

"It is too valuable to lose."

Mr Cunliffe says the Nelson-Marlborough community knows the vital importance of the CAMHS to the well-being of vulnerable young people - and the DHB must listen.

"Our members tell us that when young people are under the care of this service, their outcomes are better," he says.

"The rangatahi of Nelson-Marlborough are a taonga, and we need to give them all the support we can.

"We urge the DHB to listen to the community, and secure the future of this crucial service."

ENDS

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