The Ministry of Health has admitted it didn't sufficiently brief Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey on its "change proposals".
It was revealed on Thursday it's proposing to cut 134 jobs to meet the Government's demands to reduce costs, resulting in confusion over whether the Suicide Prevention Office would close or not.
The Public Service Association (PSA) had claimed part of the ministry's current proposal included the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office.
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey said he was "disappointed" by the PSA's statement, which he called "misleading". He said he'd made his expectations clear "the office will remain open and that the suicide prevention work programme will continue".
Now, the ministry's Robyn Shearer has said it has provided assurance to Doocey it "remains committed to ensuring there is strong and visible leadership of suicide prevention in any new organisational structure".
"The minister has stated his expectation that the Suicide Prevention Office remains open."
Shearer said the ministry is "developing options to work through with the minister early next week".
The Suicide Prevention Office was established in 2019 under recommendations of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction. It has never been a stand alone office.
Shearer added: "We acknowledge we did not sufficiently brief the Minister of Mental Health on our change proposals. The ministry is sorry for the confusion that this has caused.
"Mental health, addiction and suicide prevention are health system priorities. Following the health sector reforms, the roles and functions across the Ministry of Health were changed and programmes and services were transferred to other health agencies.
"The Ministry of Health is the chief advisor to the new Minister for Mental Health and leads a whole of government approach to mental well-being."
Shearer's statement this afternoon ended by saying the ministry had no further comment.
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