Disability funding cuts causing 'severe harm', say clinicians

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-02-14 00:01

New Zealand

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Disability funding cuts have caused 'severe harm' to people with intellectual disabilities and their families, according to a group of clinicians writing for the New Zealand Medical Journal. They report that effectively no new residential places are being funded, leaving some people with extremely high needs stuck in hospital without appropriate levels of care, while others are forced to move into different homes with more residents. Residents also face significant new constraints on funding for out-of-home activities that would benefit their mental health. The authors say these funding cuts are leading to increased pressure to prescribe sedative and antipsychotic medication, and to an increase in high-risk behaviour among people with intellectual disabilities.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Cuts to services for people with disabilities, which have been introduced in 2024, include a “freeze” on residential placements and cuts to some services that people who are cared for at home can access. People with intellectual disabilities have difficulties with understanding and communicating, as well as physical and mental health problems. Many people with intellectual disabilities are being severely negatively affected by the cuts in services. For example, they cannot access residential care and the level of support they receive in residential care is being reduced. This is resulting in significant distress and mental health problems for the individuals with intellectual disabilities and their whānau and carers.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Otago, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand

Funder: N/A

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