Labour / Green Aged Care Report not Robust, Balanced or Objective

Released 15/10/2010 5:10am (2 years ago)
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The report release today into the aged care sector by Labour and the Greens lacks robustness, balance or objectivity says the New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA).

“The Labour/Green meetings which generated this report were not balanced or objective. In fact Sue Kedgley started each meeting with an ill informed view about the sector then invited the audience to recount their own negative stories”, said Martin Taylor CEO of the NZACA.

The Labour/Green report is in stark contrast to the most robust research on the aged residential care sector ever undertaken, the Aged Residential Care Service Review which was released in September. The review contracted international and national aged care experts and was a collaborative effort between DHBs, NZACA and the Ministry of Heatlh.

“Unfortunately the Labour/Green report records negative anecdotal stories spanning many years. As such it is not robust nor gives a balanced view. It’s essentially like asking your own political supporters to endorse your political position and then claiming your particular world view has public support”.

“I am sure many of the stories told at the meetings were genuine and one example of poor care is one to many. However, each and every year over 40,000 elderly receive care in around 700 facilities from 35,000 staff. To expect all staff and all residents to do the right thing all of the time is unrealistic”.

In regards to the publics view on aged residential care the only independent survey of public opinion was carried out by independent researchers Colmar Brunton in June 2010.

Colmar Brunton found 71% of New Zealanders with direct experience of aged residential care facilities rated the sector as good or very good, with only 9% of the public regarding the services as poor.

“It is pleasing that a substantial majority of New Zealanders believe the aged care sector provides a very good service to our country’s older citizens,” said NZACA CEO Martin Taylor.

“In many regards the recommendations in the Labour / Greens report are own goals. For example, the recommendation that there should be a return to mandatory staffing levels ignores the fact that Labour removed mandatory staffing levels in 2003 because they did not improve care delivery. Furthermore, Labour refused to re-instigate this regulation over the next five years despite persistent union lobbying.

“Labour and the Greens should not be so critical of the work they did in designing the present aged residential care system. While it is and was underfunded, providers continue to deliver high quality care to over 40,000 elderly each and every year”.

“While it is positive that both Labour and the Greens are committed to looking after the elderly, they both need to back up their rhetoric with firm election promises. Both need to commit to the $150-200 million p.a. to fund pay parity and to then to a general subsidy increase to ensure the private sector build enough beds to support future demand.”

Results for the Colmer Brunton Survey can be downloaded from: www.nzaca.org.nz

ENDS

For further information contact Martin Taylor, Chief Executive, NZACA, on 0274535348

CONTACT:

NZ Aged Care Association
Ph: +64(27)4535348
Email: martin@nzaca.org.nz

View all NZ Aged Care Association releases at: http://spinitwide.com/latest-releases/nz-aged-care-association

Distributed by http://spinitwide.com on behalf of NZ Aged Care Association