12 September 2016
RWNZ advocate for the government’s health strategy to give priority to unique needs of older adults in rural areas
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) has lodged a submission on the Ministry of Health’s update of the Health of Older people
strategy, urging the Government to give priority to the unique needs of older adults in rural areas.
RWNZ Health spokesperson, Margaret Pittaway says, “The strategy sets out a worthy and aspirational set of goals for the
health and wellbeing of older adults for the next ten years, yet it fails to give appropriate attention to the special
and unique challenges of ageing in rural areas.”
In its submission RWNZ highlight ongoing barriers to access to older adult health services in rural areas, along with
health disparities affecting this population group. ”Implementation of the actions in this strategy must be given
special priority in rural areas, in particular the goal of bringing health services closer to home deserves immediate
attention in rural areas” says Margaret Pittaway.
There remains a distinct lack of primary healthcare services in rural areas and geographical barriers of access.
According to a survey of RWNZ members over 25% of those living in rural areas must travel over 30 minutes to access the
closest GP. “There must be greater government investment in retaining and training a dedicated health workforce for
rural populations, if the government is to achieve its goal of healthy ageing” says Margaret Pittaway.
RWNZ‘s submission also highlights concerns around working conditions for those in the aged care sector and lack of
support for the family and carers of older adults. “Unfortunately the government’s ‘Ageing in place’ strategy has had
the consequence of placing the burden of care of older adults onto family members. More support must be made available
for those supporting loved ones with acute health needs”.
ends