The delivery of services for people who require treatment for mental disorders and addictions depends upon a specialist workforce. Challenges facing the sector are well documented and include:
- Aging workforce and declining entry rates into training programmes
- Greater global mobility and competitve labour markets
- Staff retention
- Skill development aligned to emerging and future models of care
- Quality improvement
- Gaps in workforce information
Most approaches to workforce development aim for sufficient numbers of people with the right skills to deliver quality services to people who need them. Achieving these outcomes typically involves multiple capacity and capabilities initiatives seeking to increase supply and reduce demand.
The Northern Region has had considerable investment by the District Health Board's (DHBs) supporting a range of initiatives to meet identified needs. To date workforce development has been informed by the Northern Region Mental Health Workforce Development Action Plan 2003 and the Workforce Development Implanmentation Plan 2005 - 2008. In 2009 the programme was reviewed and deliverables established to better support service growth and sustainability.
For all enquires please email tania.waitokia@ndsa.co.nz
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