NZNO Disappointed with Health Select Committee

Media Release:

NZNO Disappointed with Health Select Committee

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is disappointed that the health select committee has not chosen to undertake an inquiry, as proposed by MP Winnie Laban, into the quality and standards of care provided in residential aged care.

NZNO has made numerous requests of successive governments for mandated staffing levels, the implementation of comprehensive training specifications and training delivery for staff working in residential aged care.

“It is our members belief that an inquiry into aged care is necessary in order to ensure that this sector, which receives significant amounts of taxpayer funding, is operating to the highest possible care standards,” said NZNO Industrial Advisor, Rob Haultain.

“The public has been outraged about the recent high profile examples of mistreatment of the elderly. This government has clearly not taken those concerns seriously because if they did they would undertake this inquiry as a matter of priority,” said Haultain.

“Implementing mandated staffing levels and training specifications into the contracts of the residential aged care providers is imperative. Without these steps being taken we are certain that there will be further revelations of failures of care in residential aged care facilities,” said Haultain.

ENDS