Resthome ‘Expose’ the Reality in Aged Care

Media Release

Resthome ‘Expose’ the Reality in Aged Care – Urgent Action Needed from Government

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is calling on the government to address the crisis in resthomes and other residential aged care facilities by putting regulations around minimum staffing levels and training requirements for those working in the sector. A television investigation provided tangible proof of what is currently happening.

A survey released on the weekend showed that aged care workers are some of the lowest paid workers in the country. “Working with the elderly requires a high level of skill due to their complex health needs yet, all too often, the workers performing this important work have little training and are paid barely above minimum wage,” said Lynley Mulrine, NZNO Industrial Advisor.

“Employers do not perform all the checks that the public and families would expect because they have such difficulty employing people to do the work in the first place. Which is not surprising. Why would anyone chose to work in this sector when those that do are so undervalued?”

“The government provides funding to resthomes and residential aged care. It is the government that needs to ensure that our elderly are protected and cared for which includes ensuring that mandatory staffing levels are introduced, that staff are trained and that they are paid a fair wage for the work that they perform caring for some of our communities most vunerable.” Lynley Mulrine said.

ENDS

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