Funding Shortfall Endangering The Care Of Our Elderly

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi
Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) is calling for increased funding
for Aged Residential Care in Budget 2024.

NZNO
Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku fears that funds allocated to the
Aged Residential Care sector in the Budget will remain
inadequate, as has happened repeatedly in the
past.

“Our health system is still in a stage of severe
crisis. It makes no sense to prioritise tax cuts over
funding increases to health.”

“Aged residential care
is funded at a rate that is set annually by the Government
but ongoing underfunding in this area has become
unsustainable.

“Funding should be set aside for
culturally appropriate staff-to-resident ratios based on the
necessary skills to meet the needs of residents.”

NZNO
receives regular feedback from members working in Aged Care
who say that staff-to-resident ratios are being stretched to
breaking point due to staff reductions following facility
restructures. One care worker who wishes to remain anonymous
says the strain is tangible, with a noticeable increase in
staff turnover.

“Staff-to-resident ratios can be seven
to one in a dementia unit. Night staff are stretched thin
and are only managing minimal care leading to residents
often remaining in soiled beds for hours.”

Ms Nuku
says minimum staff-to-resident ratios for Aged Care have now
been mandated in Australia and the USA and the Government
should do the same in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Getting
legally required nurse-to-patient ratios across all nursing
sectors is a top priority for NZNO. We are also bringing
culturally appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios based on
skill mix to the bargaining table.

“We want our
elderly to receive good care. This cannot be managed with
ongoing underfunding in this sector and the resulting staff
reductions that compromise the quality of patient
care.

“NZNO is calling on the Government to include
increased funding in the Budget for this sector and to bring
a halt to declining levels of patient care and aged care
worker
wellbeing.”

© Scoop Media