No Evidence of Systemic Problem in Aged Care

Press Release from HealthCare Providers NZ Inc

HEADLINE: No Evidence of Systemic Problem in Aged Care Sector

25 July 2008

No Evidence of Systemic Problem in Aged Care Sector

There is no evidence of a systemic problem among the aged residential care sector, HealthCare Providers New Zealand said today.

HealthCare Providers represents 80 percent of New Zealand's aged residential care sector.

It's Chief Executive, Mr Martin Taylor, said the media has highlighted four rest homes, but there is no evidence to support any allegations of a systemic problem in the quality of care in the country's other 753 aged care facilities.

"One case of elder abuse is always one case too many. It is always distressing to hear about poor quality care on our most vulnerable in the community - the elderly. But allegations there is a systemic problem are wrong," Mr Taylor said.

In relation to elder abuse, the best information comes from Age Concern's most recent report of October 2007*, which recorded 21 cases of elder abuse in rest homes in the 2005-2006 year. This clearly showed that the aged residential care sector is doing well, especially considering that over the same period more than 80,000 elderly New Zealanders received care in a rest home, hospital or dementia unit.

"There is no evidence of a widespread problem with the quality of care in New Zealand, but we must remain vigilant, do all we can to stop elder abuse and maintain the current high-level service delivery," Mr Taylor said.

ENDS

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