Cuts to home management will cost the jobs of those who support Manawatu’s most vulnerable

The Public Service Association (PSA) says cuts to MidCentral DHB funding for home management may result in less work and loss of jobs for workers who support some of Manawatu’s most vulnerable residents.

Kerry Davies, PSA assistant secretary, said "Our nearly 100 members in the region will be concerned about loss of the work that they feel passionately about,"

"One month’s notice is too short for these people to have to find more work or to train to provide more complex care.

"The 1000 elderly clients will also be worried about how they will cope with significantly reduced level of support.

"The needs of these older citizens have not gone away, so why is their support being cut?

"Older people who want to remain in their own home should be supported to do so, rather than being forced into residential facilities which end up costing more.

"Our vulnerable and elderly residents deserve better than to fall victim to cost-cutting measures.

"The root cause of these changes is systemic underfunding in the health sector.

"This workforce is vulnerable to swift changes without much warning, which shows the importance of creating regularised, stable work in our fastest growing health sector.

"The Government and MidCentral DHB need to step up and properly fund the support that clients need, and adequate staffing to provide it," said Kerry Davies.

ENDS

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