The role of government policy in service development in a New Zealand statutory mental health service: implications for policy planning and development

Abstract

Objective:

To explore the relationship between government policy and service development in a New Zealand statutory mental health provider, Living Well.

Method:

An organisational case study utilising multiple research techniques including qualitative interviews, analysis of business and strategic documents and observation of meetings.

Results:

Staff understood and acknowledged the importance of government policy, but there were challenges in its implementation.

Conclusion:

Within New Zealand’s statutory mental health services staff struggled to know how to implement government policy as part of service development; rather, operational concerns, patient need, local context and service demands drove the service development process.