Hon Matt Doocey met with WBOP PHO on 3 June to hear how a locally coordinated approach is transforming access to primary mental health support in the rohe

During a visit to Tauranga on 3 June, Mental Health Minister and Associate Minister of Health Hon Matt Doocey met with frontline teams and service leaders to learn more about BeingWell, the Bay of Plenty’s primary mental health and addictions support. Coordinated by WBOP PHO, the programme has seen strong growth in recent years, following a focused improvement plan to increase awareness, access and engagement.

In a packed one-hour session, the Minister heard directly from service leaders, GPs, Health Improvement Practitioners (HIP) and Health Coaches about the reach and impact of BeingWell across the rohe. “Since 2023, unique service users have increased by almost 40%, while visits have grown by 80%. That tells us people are not only accessing the service. They continue to engage for ongoing support. They value what we do,” said Sarah Stevenson, Chief Executive of WBOP PHO.

The growth was the result of deliberate changes made across the service. “Three years ago, we looked at the service and knew we could do better. We listened to people who had used the service, strengthened our connections with general practice, community providers and secondary care, invested in our workforce and worked hard to raise awareness of the support available across the community,” explained Stevenson.

The impact of the mahi was brought to life through stories shared by frontline teams. One example involved a man at risk of losing his home due to anxiety, alcohol misuse and complex health needs. A HIP and Health Coach worked alongside the general practice team to coordinate practical and clinical support, helping him keep in his home, improve his health and return to work.

Reflecting on what he had heard throughout the visit, Doocey said: “This is probably one of the most impressive visits I’ve done as a Mental Health Minister in the last three years. What you’ve got here is a culture. A culture of being accountable, holding yourselves to a high standard and doing what’s right, not only for the people you serve and for your organisation, but also for the taxpayer who is funding it. Making sure you’re truly delivering.”

A transformative model for patients and practices

One of the strengths of BeingWell is that support is available as part of everyday general practice care. More than 80% of patients are seen within one week, with many receiving support on the same day. Rather than referring patients elsewhere and hoping they engage, doctors can connect people directly with a HIP or Health Coach.

For patients, that can mean getting help sooner and staying connected to the care team they already know and trust. Reflecting on the changes she has seen since BeingWell was introduced, Dr Matilda Lawrence said the service had transformed the options available to general practice.

“Now we can say, ‘We have this amazing person next door. You can speak to them today or I can get them to give you a call tomorrow.’ They help people navigate what’s going on in their lives and connect them with the right support. The warm handover is an absolute treasure, and the follow-up means people don’t have to manage everything on their own.”

One in 25 people accessed support

In 2025, more than 8,800 people accessed BeingWell support through their general practice, resulting in nearly 29,000 interactions with HIPs and Health Coaches. By mid-May 2026, 3,400 people had already used the service, with almost 11,500 interactions.

Sarah Stevenson, Chief Executive of WBOP PHO, said the service’s reach becomes easier to understand when viewed against the enrolled population of around 210,000 people. “If there were 25 people in this room from our enrolled population, one of them would have used BeingWell in the past year. That’s a pretty significant impact.”

Behind the figures

For the people behind these numbers, the impact can be life changing. HIP Charmaine McGillan shared the story of a man living with the impacts of childhood trauma, PTSD symptoms, chronic pain and heavy alcohol use. Working alongside his GP and wider healthcare team, she helped him address the factors contributing to his distress through tailored, trauma-informed support.

Over time, he significantly reduced his alcohol use, improved his sleep and emotional wellbeing, rebuilt family relationships and returned to activities he once enjoyed. His whānau reported he was calmer and less reactive. Reflecting on his journey, he said: “The support has been massive in my recovery.” McGillan said stories like this are a reminder of why the role exists. “With this role, I feel I’ve made more of a difference than my whole 25 years in mental health.”