Health care for elderly not important for National

Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
Associate Health Spokesperson (aged care)

24 June 2009 Media Statement

Health care for the elderly not important enough for National to look at

The National Party today blocked an inquiry into whether older New Zealanders were receiving the health care they were entitled to, Associate Health spokesperson Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says.

“The Inquiry I proposed into the quality of health care for older people would have focused on whether the health needs of older people are being properly addressed in rest homes, long term hospital level care, and through home-based or community support services.

“The National Party’s reason for not agreeing to hold an inquiry was that an inquiry into disability has been previously held. I am disappointed that National MPs rejected an inquiry on such ridiculous grounds.

“To simply lump the care of elderly into a review of the disability sector and therefore say an inquiry is not necessary shows a complete lack of understanding of the issues from the National Party.

“An inquiry on health services for elderly would have looked at the issues directly related to the issues older New Zealanders face accessing health care in the community and in residential care.

“Whether older New Zealanders are being treated with dignity within the health sector and whether they are able to access services they need, is a growing issue in New Zealand and one that needs to be addressed.

“This proposed inquiry wasn’t about money and whether the sector was being funded appropriately. It was about whether elderly were able to access the services they needed to help them live with dignity.

“Recent reports of DHBs proposing cuts to home support to save money are deeply concerning and showed that existing services many elderly relied on were under threat.

"Given one of the vital components in the National Party health discussion document is Home Support, and given that this is one of the areas DHBs are cutting - perhaps the real reason they don't want this inquiry is that it would highlight yet another broken promise from their election campaign.

“I will continue to work on avenues to hold the Government to account on whether the elderly are accessing appropriate health care,” Winnie Laban said.

ENDS