"The view from the bottom of the cliff." Old age psychiatry services in New Zealand: the patients and the resources.

AIM

Despite the continual restructuring of New Zealand's health services in recent years, the development of mental health services for older people has been neglected as a strategic planning issue.

METHODS

In 1998/9, the New Zealand branch of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age (FPOA) of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) initiated a national survey to obtain an overview of patient needs and national resources, with the aim of providing information to assist planning. Data were collected from eleven Old Age Psychiatry services nationwide, covering a total catchment of 2,800,000 New Zealanders.

RESULTS

Patients were mostly over 70 years of age, female and with high co-morbidity for both medical and psychiatric illnesses. New Zealand resources directed to meet the needs are low by international standards.

CONCLUSIONS

The results clarify the range of patient problems that Old Age Psychiatry services manage and the resources available. Most New Zealand services conform to World Health Organization recommendations.