NZ First/Labour Positive For Aged Residential Care

18 October 2005

NZ First's Agreement With Labour Positive For Aged Residential Care

The aged residential care sector today welcomed the NZ First and Labour Confidence and Supply agreement, which promises to address the issue of elder care as a priority in next year's budget.

"The Confidence and Supply agreement with New Zealand First contains a specific commitment to address aged care funding as a matter of priority in the 2006 Budget. This is much-needed recognition from the new government that funding to aged residential care must be increased", said Martin Taylor, CEO of Healthcare Providers NZ.

"It is reassuring to see NZ First's election commitment formalized in the confidence and supply agreement with Labour. This is good for the sector and we look forward to the newly formed Government and their support parties delivering on their promises," said Martin Taylor, CEO of Healthcare Providers NZ.

"Funding of aged residential care was a major issue in the lead-up to the election. New Zealand families want to know the future is secure for the elderly. New Zealand First made specific commitments to addressing the crisis in aged care and pushed it as an election issue."

"The crisis in aged residential care is only getting worse. The disparity caused by the government funding their own nurses at higher rates than in the private sector is really hurting aged care providers. When this is combined with historical under funding the sector's future is grim."

ENDS

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