Media release from the Green Party

The Green Party strongly supports the Aged Care Charter and the call for compulsory safe staffing levels, and fair pay and conditions for aged care workers, Green Party aged care spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) are raising awareness of key issues regarding how we care for older New Zealanders.  The Aged Care Charter released today calls for safe staffing levels, fair pay and conditions for aged care workers, and a nationally recognised training and education programme for aged care staff.

"Workers in aged care are amongst the lowest paid in New Zealand, despite the invaluable work that they do caring for vulnerable older New Zealanders," said Ms Kedgley. 

Ms Kedgley said a Green/Labour inquiry into aged care last year found that chronic under-staffing was the cause of many of the problems in the aged care sector.

"In the absence of any minimum staffing levels, the care provided to older New Zealanders is inconsistent, and often inadequate.

"If older New Zealanders are to be treated safely and well, it is essential that we return to mandatory staff-to-patient ratios."

Ms Kedgley said it was essential that nurses and care workers in the aged care sector had pay parity with hospital workers which would address the issue of staff shortages.

"The Green Party strongly supports the call for a national training standard, and for all workers to get access to training."

The Green Party was also calling for the establishment of an independent Aged Care Commissioner, to advocate for aged care residents and ensure their safety and well-being.

"An Aged Care Commissioner needs to be appointed as a priority, to improve the quality of care across the sector"

"New Zealand has a rapidly ageing population and we need to make certain older New Zealanders and those that support them are seen as a vital part of New Zealand's health system," said Ms Kedgley.

Note: Last year the Green Party joined with Labour and Grey Power to put together a report into the state of aged care in New Zealand:

http://www.greens.org.nz/agedcare