National Promises to Improve Hospice Funding

3 October 2008

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is impressed with the announcement by National that they will increase funding to New Zealand Hospices.

“The National Party have certainly put down a challenge for other parties to meet. Hospices in New Zealand play an essential role in caring for individuals and our communities. These organisations deserve appropriate funding and this is something that they have certainly struggled with in the past.” Said Glenda Alexander, Industrial Advisor.

“Nationals promises would go some way to appropriately value the important work of these organisations. Providing 70% of the funding that hospices need is a good start – NZNO view is that all clinical staff costs (nurses and doctors) and drug costs need to be paid by the government. There is no good reason why hospices are not entirely publically funded.” Alexander said.

“The ability for workers across the country to bargain collectively through the hospice MECA (multi-employer collective agreement) through issues based bargaining has meant real improvements for these hard working nurses. We would seek Nationals support for the hospice MECA as this is another way to retain staff.” Alexander said.

ENDS