Petition request

That the House of Representatives ensure that people living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder have timely and equitable access to effective therapy by expanding the workforce trained in Exposure Response Prevention therapy (ERP) in primary and secondary health services; and note that 1,290 people have signed a petition in support.

Petition reason

Over 50,000 New Zealanders live with OCD. ERP provides skills to help break free from OCD, and is an evidence-based best practice therapy. In my view, ERP is hard to access. People experiencing severe OCD may be referred to secondary services where staff with expertise in ERP are scarce. Others remain in primary care where staff are unlikely to have training in ERP. Some find and pay for private ERP therapy. But I believe that many people are unable to get the help they need.

Petition progress

  • Open for signatures
  • Closed for signatures
  • Select Committee
  • Reported
  • Referred to Minister
Number of signatures: 1
Date presented: 03 Aug 2022
Considered by: Health
SC Report(s): 01 Jun 2023 (Final)
Presenting member: Chlöe Swarbrick
Closing date: 02 Aug 2022