Govt. input needed to fix issues in Aged Care

Govt. input needed to fix issues in Aged Care

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is calling on the Government to help solve the problems in the aged care sector.

“In the last couple of days we have seen a report on aged care facilities from Mid-Central health which shows that failures in residential aged care facilities are often major and result in unsafe environments, an investigation by opposition political parties into aged care and a list of demands from Age Concern. The Government can no longer hide its head in the sand about the state of the aged care sector.” said Industrial Organiser Rob Haultain.

“More and more of our grandparents, parents and friends are ending their days in rest homes and their care issues are becoming more and more complex. We need to ensure that they are receiving the best and safest care possible.

“That means the Government must put targeted, accountable funding into the aged care sector to resource, train and retain staff, and to ensure the right skill mix of Registered and Enrolled nurses and caregivers all day, every day.” Said Rob Haultain.

NZNO also points out that the minimum standards for safe Aged Care and Dementia Care for consumers in New Zealand are voluntary. To improve conditions in rest homes for staff and residents, mandatory standards and regular audits are necessary.

“Our elders are not second class citizens, and nor are the people dedicated to caring for them. We need legislative guidelines in place to ensure that rest home employers are providing the very best quality care.”

NZNO believes that when the aged care sector receives the funding it needs and is accountable for how that money is spent we will see across the board improvements in the quality of care of our elders.

ENDS

© Scoop Media