Waitemata DHB Unable To Deliver

Waitemata DHB Unable To Deliver

Holidays Act Compensation: Government Makes Promises But Waitemata DHB Unable To Deliver

Earlier this year the Government promised Holidays Act compensation to aged care providers. However, despite receiving the compensation funding months ago, Waitemata District Health Board has failed to pass it on to providers.

In 2003 the government passed the Holidays Act which increased costs to the residential care sector in excess of 2%. For well over a year aged care providers have carried the compliance costs of the legislation in the expectation that these costs would be covered. All other DHBs passed on the Holidays Compensation in June and July of this year.

"This is an appalling situation. We have asked Waitemata DHB for an explanation. We asked how much they were going to pay out and when. But to date they have refused to answer either question.".

"The whole process around compensating residential aged care providers for the Holidays Act has been a shambles. The Holidays Act increased costs by about 2%, yet each DHB decided to pay out at a different rate some at about 1% and others at 1.7%. They also decided to pay out at different times".

"Every step of the way there seems to be a severe disconnect - whether it's between the Government and the MOH, or the MOH and DHBs or DHBs and DHBNZ".

"The people who pay for these delays are aged care providers. They are the ones who carrying the financial risks the Holidays Act, and who are struggling to survive", said Martin Taylor CEO of HealthCare Providers NZ.

ENDS

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