Twice in the past week full psychiatric wards at Wakari Hospital have caused problems.
In the first instance a woman for whom there was no bed available went home and hours later was arrested after threatening a friend with a samurai sword. She has since been remanded to Wakari for assessment.
In the second case, a woman a Dunedin District Court judge wanted to send to Wakari for assessment instead had to be remanded in custody until her next appearance.
The Southern District Health Board has said that services are in high demand at present, but any patient who presented needing urgent care would be treated.
Dr Clark said he could not comment on individual cases as they were the responsibility of DHBs.
However, in general terms, such situations were why the Government had set up an inquiry into mental health and addiction services, he said.
''That will report back to me in a matter of weeks and I am expecting recommendations about what we do with our mental health system,'' Dr Clark said.
''Part of the solution, I am sure, will be making sure we prioritise mental health, and that is one of my messages as minister already.''
About $200million had been put into allocation of DHB resources for mental health but there was much more to do, he said.
The mental health inquiry had completed public hearings and was now considering the content of report, chairman Ron Paterson said earlier this week.
''We're grateful for everyone's input with around 5500 submissions and over 2000 people attending 26 public meetings around New Zealand and engagement with community groups and individuals at numerous other meetings,'' Prof Paterson said.
''Our job now is to bring all this information together and shape our views and recommendations for improving mental health and wellbeing in New Zealand.''
The report will be delivered to the Government by October 31.
