The Mental Health Commission has met the Northland District Health Board to discuss its mental health services.
But the commission is revealing few details of what was said or if the services have any serious problems.
A planned two-day meeting between the DHB and the commission coincided with claims by some Northland mental health staff that the region's services were in crisis.
Northland Health denied the claims but the commission said it would look into them during the meeting.
Commission chair Jan Dowland said the meeting was positive. "Northland's mental health system is clearly under pressure, however there is a strong commitment by staff and management to move forward," she said.
"There is no debate between staff and management about the nature of the problems and pressures. At least two, and possibly three, psychiatrists have recently been recruited, which will help ease the pressure."
She said the DHB and the commission looked forward to meeting again in six months to review progress.
There was agreement on the problems facing mental health services in the region.
One of the allegations by disgruntled staff was that money specifically for mental health services was being siphoned off in Northland for other health services.
"The Health Ministry has been working with over half the DHBs, including Northland, to ensure that the money is applied to mental health," she said.
"It fulfils this role primarily through its funding agreement, accountability indicators and business planning process.
"It is also part of the commission's role to monitor the situation."
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)
New Zealand
