Tuesday, 21 October 2008

Turner: aged care funding inadequate

UnitedFuture's health spokesperson Judy Turner says announcements by National and Labour that they'll increase funding for the aged care sector, if they form the next Government, are helpful but don't go far enough and don't address the root of the sector's problems.

Labour has announced an immediate injection of $13 million into aged care, while National is promising extra spending of $23 million.

"Clearly, resthomes and older people's own homes are the best available solution for the care of the elderly, but they don't work if there's no-one to staff them," said Mrs Turner.

"We need pay parity between nurses employed by resthomes and those employed by the district health boards, otherwise resthomes will constantly struggle to recruit and retain adequate numbers of qualified staff.

"It's good that the major parties recognise the problems facing our elderly citizens, but they must back their words with concrete action and UnitedFuture will work actively with the next Government to ensure that happens," said Mrs Turner.

ENDS

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