National Day of Action For Quality Aged Care

Members of The Service and Food Workers Union Ngā Ringa Tota and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation employed in residential aged care facilities will hit the streets tomorrow seeking public support for an aged care charter.

The charter, launched in May, calls on Government to provide adequate funding for compulsory safe staffing levels, training for all staff, fair pay for the workforce and a guarantee that government funding will only be used for care of residents.

“New Zealanders know our elderly are being let down in residential aged care,” said Service and Food Workers Union spokesperson Alastair Duncan.

“We know the public wants government to prioritise safe staffing levels, training and fair pay in aged care to ensure quality care for our older people, but the government continues to sell our elderly short.”

NZNO spokesperson Rob Haultain said: “Caring for the elderly should not be done on the cheap. Until government funds training, safe staffing levels and fair pay for the aged care workforce, we cannot guarantee quality care for our elderly. We’re asking members of the public to sign the charter and send a clear message to government.”

The charters will be presented to representatives of political parties at Parliament on 29 September.

Charter signing events will take place in many locations around the country.

ENDS

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