Safety and quality of care for older people must be at the centre of any reform of New Zealand’s aged care system, Aged Care Commissioner Erin James says.
This comes following the release of the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group’s report A place to grow old, securing the future of aged care, which was published today.
The report makes a raft of recommendations, including increasing access to home-based care, streamlining assessment of care needs, and implementing changes to the aged care funding model.
“I welcome the release of this report, which reflects considerable thought from the Ministerial Advisory Group about what is needed for a sustainable aged care system that meets future demand," Ms James says.
“New Zealand’s aged care system is under pressure. Many older people are struggling to access the care they need, when and where they need it, which is a significant concern.
"However, it is critical that we are designing a system that is not only focused on funding adequacy, but also on the conditions required for safe, rights-based, person-centred care.”
Ms James says she is supportive of increasing older people's options for care, including increasing access to home-based care.
“This is highly desirable for many older people and supports their independence, choice and connection to their family, whānau and community.”
“The recommendation to extend the Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability services standards to in-home care providers is positive and is something HDC has been advocating for over many years.
"However, current monitoring and oversight of the residential aged care system should not be diminished given the particular vulnerabilities of people in these care settings.”
Ms James noted that it will be important that safeguarding approaches and the rights of older people are key focuses of subsequent reform.
“This will help ensure that older people’s rights to dignity and respect are upheld and they are protected from avoidable harm in care settings.”
She says she looks forward to working alongside relevant stakeholders as these proposed changes progress to ensure older people can access safe, quality health care, which is not only essential for their wellbeing, but a fundamental right.
Ms James says she hopes to see older people and their family or whānau involved in the future reform of our aged care system.
"As Aged Care Commissioner I will be focused on ensuring that the rights of older people remain embedded in the design of any future aged care system and will continue to monitor the impacts of reform on access and quality of care."