The Health Committee has reported findings of its inquiry into Aged Care to the New Zealand parliament, outlining suggestions for the Government.
The Health Committee has released its report on the inquiry into the aged care sector’s current and future capacity to provide support services for people experiencing neurological cognitive disorders.
The report contains 14 recommendations to improve access to aged care and pricing transparency, expand residential and dementia care capacity, enhance flexibility and sustainability in home support services, and strengthen workforce conditions and sustainability.
The committee received over 100 submissions and visited several aged care facilities and service providers across the country. The committee’s recommendations are based on feedback from residents, support workers, sector representatives, and overseas stakeholders.
“It is our intention that this inquiry report, which was supported unanimously by all members of the committee, has a positive impact and improves outcomes for those people experiencing neurological cognitive disorders, as well as everyone involved in delivering care,” said Sam Uffindell, Chairperson of the Health Committee.
“While the inquiry report delivers on a National–New Zealand First coalition commitment, I would like to acknowledge the committee members for engaging in a bipartisan manner on such an important issue.”
The Government has 60 working days to respond to the recommendations in writing. Its response has also been made available on the Parliament website.
The committee suggested that the Government permit rest homes to carry out needs assessment and service co-ordination assessments subject to NASC assessors performing quality assurances within a reasonable time frame. It also suggested that the Government explore ways to provide culturally appropriate care and continuity of care.
In aged residential care, the committee recommended that, to increase transparency, the Government should establish a reporting model that separates aged care funding into three streams; accommodation costs, daily living costs, and clinical care costs.
The committee also recommended that the Government consider a range of funding and financing tools to address the shortfall of aged residential care beds, including but not limited to capital grants, depreciation incentives, consent relief, anchor contracts, the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act 2020 (IFF), and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Limited (NIFFCo) financing.
It suggested that the Government consider a range of funding and financing tools to enable the development of more dementia beds, which are currently not profitable for providers, and recommended that the Government consider undertaking further work on pathways for end-of-life care, including hospice care.
The committee also proposed that the Government consider enabling alternative aged care models similar to the CARE Village in Rotorua.
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