The announcement of another review of mental health services in Otago sounds like a rerun of work already done, Otago District Health Board member Louise Rosson says.
She told the Otago and Southland community and public health advisory committee meeting this week that she could recall two full mental health reviews in recent years and "we still really haven't got the actual strategy signed off".
What had been learned in the past was the need for "wrap-around" services and funding for new approaches and new services.
Also, that mental health service providers knew best what was needed and the ways services should be developed.
She was commenting on a planning and funding report which said a new work plan for the delivery of strategic recommendations contained in the 2004 review was being developed.
Providers and other interested parties met last month to discuss the progress of the review, agreeing that while there had been some achievements, there was still need to integrate community and hospital services.
There was also a need for greater collaboration among the services in keeping with the intended spirit of the review to identify what was or was not working and making the necessary changes to provide a better level of service, the report stated.
Service leaders would be asked to commit to a new refreshed implementation plan and associated time frames.
Regional planning and funding general manager David Chrisp said work had been done as a result of the review but it needed a "a bit of a relaunch" as it had probably become a "little dormant".
Ms Rosson said it was not a relaunch that was needed, but the board needed to "just do it".
She sought assurance that the next steps would be in partnership with providers, recognising they were the key in the partnership and there would be a set time frame.
Mr Chrisp said it was hoped the work plan could be submitted to the next meeting of the committee.