Aged Care: Audits only Part of solution

Media Release:

Residential Aged Care Crisis: Spot Audits a Small Part of the Solution and More Work Needed

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is pleased that the government is going to get spot audits happening in residential aged care but has some serious concerns about the lack of commitment from the government towards ensuring safe staffing.

There are a number of questions about how the spot audits will work practically. “For this process to have any credibility there needs to be some certainly about when these will start, what the audits will review and what the consequences may be for those employers who do not meet the audit standards,” said Aged Care Industrial Adviser Lynley Mulrine.

“We are extremely disappointed that the government is refusing to show any real leadership in addressing the safe staffing crisis in residential aged care,”

“NZNO members have been lobbying for enforceable mandatory staffing levels. Our members are frequently working below the Ministry of Health guidelines for safe staffing. Employers have not responded favourably, therefore mandatory requirements are needed to ensure the safety of our elderly and those working to care for them,” Mulrine said.

ENDS

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