Moving forward

Crown Entities Reform Bill - Select Committee Process

The Crown Entities Reform Bill had its first reading on 4 October 2011 and has now been referred to the Government Administration Committee. 

Included in the Bill are details of changes that will see the Mental Health Commission disestablished and its functions transferred to the Health and Disability Commissioner. A new Mental Health Commissioner will be established within the HDC.

At this stage, submissions can still be made to the Committee until Monday, 27 February. The Committee is then due to report to the House at the end of March. 

If you would like to make a submission, you should address it to:
Hon Ruth Dyson
Chairperson
Government Administration Select Committee
Parliament Buildings
Wellington

More information on how to make a submission can be found here.

Moving forward

The Commission will be disestablished and its core functions transferred to the office of the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) in June 2012. Read more about this on the Ministry of Health website.

The Commission’s revenue for 2011/12 is 25 percent less than the previous year, reflecting the Government's approach to reduce public expenditure and seek increased value for money.

During this financial year the Commission will continue to strengthen its independent monitoring and advocacy functions while focusing on five key projects, including the development of a new Blueprint (Blueprint II) that will guide sustainable investment in mental health and addiction services. Between now and May 2012, consultation on the new Blueprint will be critical as this advice will inform mental health and addictions service development in the future.

In order to ensure the Commission can deliver on our work programme for the year, and to manage the transition to the office of the Health & Disability Commissioner in 2012, the Commission has undergone a number of changes to internal staff and Commissioner time, including changes to the consumer and family, whanau advisor positions.

The Commission fully recognises the importance of consumer and family engagement in systemic monitoring and advocacy to inform service planning and delivery.

In moving towards transferring its functions to the office of the Health & Disability Commissioner, we will be considering options on how to strengthen participation of consumers and family, whanau in the delivery of services and how to facilitate their input to inform monitoring and advocacy functions in the new environment.