New Zealands First's Election Commitments Welcomed by Aged Care Sector

The Rt Hon Winston Peters today reaffirmed New Zealand First's commitment to promote the well being of elderly New Zealanders.

In his opening address to Healthcare Providers NZ Conference in Rotorua, the Rt Hon Winston Peters addressed many of the sectors most important issues, proposing solutions to the sustainability of aged care.

Winston Peters first commitment was to ensure that the aged care sector would receive an annual funding adjustment, linked to CPI, in order to maintain the current living standards of those in care.

"This announcement was warmly welcomed by the industry as each year we have to negotiate with DHBs for CPI adjustments without any guarantee of success. This initiative will mean the constant threat to levels of care from inflation will end, which is very important for those 40,000 elderly New Zealanders who need care each and every year", said Mr Taylor CEO of HealthCare Providers NZ.

The Rt Hon Winston Peters second commitment was to update the Price Water House Coopers (PWC) 2000 report which established an evidence based approach to the aged care subsidy seven years ago.

"Updating the PWC report is an absolute necessity if we are to ensure that funding is adequate to cover the rising costs of elderly care. In other words, this research is necessary to establish the medium and long term sustainability of the sector", said Mr Taylor.

The Rt Hon Winston Peters third commitment was to support research into the increasing acuity levels of residents in aged residential care. This commitment acknowledges the poorly understood impact on service delivery which has taken place over the last decade following the rise of entry into residential care move from 75 to 85 years of age.

Mr Taylor said, "The importance of this commitment cannot be under estimated. Just like the PWC report, this research is necessary to ensure sector funding and policy changes match the increasing needs of the elderly in residential care'.

"These commitments from New Zealand First are significant to aged care providers and others who understand the complexity of the sector. They demonstrate an understanding of what it will take to ensure the elderly get the best level of care now and in the future', said Martin Taylor CEO of HealthCare providers NZ.

ENDS

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