Background
The need for good quality information to support the future development of mental health services is recognised throughout the health sector, and acknowledged in Te Tahuhu: Improving Mental Health 2005 – 2015 (2005) and the National Mental Health Information Strategy (2005).
The development of an information reporting system for NGOs was one of four priority projects outlined in the Implementation Plan for the National Information Strategy (2006). PRIMHD – the Project for the Integration of Mental Health Data in the mental health and addiction non-government organisation (NGO) sector, proposes to assist in the improvement of health outcomes for all people using Mental Health and Addiction services in New Zealand by providing a single rich data source of National Mental Health information.
Initial NGO Advisory group
The role of the initial NGO Advisory Group was to guide the preliminary activity of PRIMHD in relation to the NGO sector. Tasks achieved included; the development of an NGO implementation approach, development of funding options and an NGO PRIMHD communication and engagement plan. The work of this group is now complete.
The PRIMHD NGO USER GROUP is now in place to guide the implementation of PRIMHD in the NGO sector.
NGO PRIMHD Stage 1
NGOs who were already reporting - The first stage of PRIMHD for NGOs was to transition all the organisations who had been reporting to the previous Mental Health Information Collection (MHINC) to the new PRIMHD reporting system.
NGO PRIMHD Stage 2
New NGOs to report - Approximately 20 NGOs were identified as the next group to be targeted for PRIMHD compliance. These organisations hold large mental health and addiction contracts.
NGO PRIMHD Stage 3
Reporting for the rest of the sector - Stage three of NGO PRIMHD is underway with support from REGIONAL COORDINATORS, and is made up of the majority of remaining NGOs that are contracted to provide a wide variety of mental health and addiction activity.
