Govt ignores crisis in aged care

National’s Senior Citizens spokeswoman, Lynda Scott, says the Government has turned its back on some of our most vulnerable citizens – the elderly.

She is responding to the increasing number of specialist aged care facilities around the country which are closing.

Dr Scott says despite large increases in government spending, the elderly are still missing out.

“District Health Boards have refused to boost funding in the sector, offering only a 1% increase,” says Dr Scott.

“Labour’s increasing compliance costs have also had a big impact on the sector.

“Many owner operators of smaller rest homes have sold up or closed. Religious and welfare providers are scaling down or selling-up. Rural Women, a major provider of aged care services in rural areas, have presented a petition to the Health Select Committee asking for an increase in wages and improved conditions for home care workers.

“Quality of care is falling and some of our most vulnerable citizens are suffering as a result. The Government needs to get over their ideological aversion to private providers and seriously address funding of aged care services.

“The Minister spouts on about a continuum of care but does nothing to support either those in need of care or those responsible for providing it,” says Dr Scott.

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