The Government's highlighted an Achilles' heel with a $664 million mental health programme that's missing targets. 

Labour's 2019 'Wellbeing' Budget saw the Access and Choice Programme receive its funding over five years. 

It's aiming to support 325 thousand people per year, but during 2023-24 saw just over 207 thousand.  

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey told Andrew Dickens utilization is a weak point. 

He says a warm handover to GPs is good for those who need to be seen urgently, but it means there's a workforce being under used. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Government's highlighted an Achilles' heel with a $664 million mental health programme that's missing targets.&nbsp;
Labour's 2019 'Wellbeing' Budget saw the Access and Choice Programme receive its funding over five years.&nbsp;
It's aiming to support 325 thousand people per year, but during 2023-24 saw just over 207 thousand. &nbsp;
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey told Andrew Dickens utilization is a weak point.&nbsp;
He says a warm handover to GPs is good for those who need to be seen urgently, but it means there's a workforce being under used.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Matt Doocey: Mental Health Minister on the Access and Choice Programme missing its targets

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/31637d91-3e25-4b7c-8aa0-b2b301792ee5/transcript