ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

New study reveals poor mental health at DHB

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Tue, 28 Aug 2018, 8:35AM
101 staff interviewed at Bay of Plenty DHB expressed negative feelings about their work. (Photo / 123RF)

New study reveals poor mental health at DHB

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Tue, 28 Aug 2018, 8:35AM

A mental health advocate isn't surprised about shocking results from a DHB mental health survey.

Bay of Plenty DHB admits it needs to change its workplace culture after a survey of mental health staff found negative ratings.

Out of 70 nurses and 31 social workers interviewed, no one gave a positive rating for their workplace and the majority gave very negative or negative ratings.

Nurses and social workers cite immense workloads, an unsafe working environment and a lack of trust and interest from the people at the top.

Mental Heath Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson told Mike Hosking the results would be the same in DHBs across the country.

"This is a work force and a system that's under pretty extreme pressure. It's been clearly identified. The volume of work has gone up by 75 per cent, the funding has gone up by less than 40."

Robinson says improving workplace culture will help but funding's also needed.

"There's no doubt about it, the whole mental health system, the response to mental health, it needs significant investment. We're not going to see substantial change unless that happens."

LISTEN TO SHAUN ROBINSON TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you