International Day of the Older Person: Aged Care Funding Petition Launched 

1 October 2006

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation and Service and Food Workers Union have launched a national petition calling for adequate funding of the aged care sector today, on International Day of the Older Person.

The petition calls on politicians to ensure that Budget 2007 includes funding for fair pay and access to training for the aged care workforce and for adequate staffing levels.

Caregivers in the Minister of Health, Pete Hodgson’s, home town will kick the petition off at 12 noon, collecting signatures at Gardens New World.

NZNO spokesperson Rob Haultain said the National governments of the 1990s had run aged care funding down.

“Despite successive Labour-led governments providing more funding it has not been enough for the huge problems in the sector,” she said.

Rob Haultain said NZNO had welcomed recent comments made by Pete Hodgson acknowledging that the sector was underfunded and making a commitment to address that in next year’s budget.

“Pay rates are appalling, with many caregivers paid close to the minimum wage to care for our elderly at their most vulnerable time,” she said.

Staffing levels in aged care facilities are frequently too low, jeopardising quality of care and safety and many caregivers receive little or no training for a job requiring skills and dedication,” she said.

“A substantial investment is needed for the aged care sector.”

The petition will be presented at Parliament before Christmas.

ENDS