Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
$300,000 ambulance fee increase upsets aged care homes
13 July 2016
Media Release
Surprise $300,000 ambulance fee increase upsets aged care homes
A surprise increase in emergency ambulance charges has come without any consultation and will place an additional burden of $300,000 annually on the aged residential care sector, says the New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA).
Simon Wallace, Chief Executive of NZACA which represents around 600 care homes, or 90% of the residential aged care sector, says he is extremely disappointed that the Ministry of Health has given approval for St John Ambulance to increase medical emergency ambulance call out charges from $88 to $98.
“Our members have around 30,000 medical emergency ambulance call-outs per year, which means the $10 increase equates to a total additional bill of $300,000 annually.”
Mr Wallace says the increase has come out of the blue,
despite NZACA being in regular discussions with the Ministry
of Health and St John.
“It’s been imposed on top of a
40% increase in ambulance call out charges at the beginning
of 2014, which means our care homes have been hit with a 50%
increase in just over two years.
“Many NZACA members are small religious, welfare or not-for-profit care home operators. Because of their contractual agreement with the Ministry of Health, they can’t pass this additional charge on to residents, so will have to cut back in other areas.”
Because of the advanced age and frailty of many residents, ambulance is often the only way to transport them safely, says Mr Wallace.
“We have been in regular discussions with the Ministry of Health and St John to highlight the burden ambulance charges place on our members, particularly those in rural areas. We had recommended they cap the cost and limit the number of trips a care home must pay for a resident and introduce a rural supplement.
“This increase flies in the face of those discussions and given we are such an important user of St John services, the lack of consultation is extremely disappointing.”
He says NZACA is seeking an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Health and St John Ambulance to express members’ concerns around both the fee increase and the lack of engagement.
ends
Whanganui Regional Museum: Historic Wedding Dress Unveiled, A Piece Of Marton’s Heritage
Donovan Ryan: Local Runner Takes Out Frontrunner Christchurch Marathon
University of Auckland: Tributes Flow For Much Loved Pacific Leader Melegalenu’u Ah Sam
NZEI: Ministry Of Education Cuts Will Disproportionately Affect Pasifika
Day One Hapai te Haeata: Call To Action For Young Filmmakers Against The Backdrop Of Funding Cuts
Toyota New Zealand: Three Races For Top Three To Decide TR86 Title