Thousands Support Call For Quality Care for Older New Zealanders: Politicians Must Act

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and the Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota (SFWU) will be presenting over ten thousand signed charters to politicians on the parliamentary forecourt tomorrow at 12 noon.

Speakers include care workers and 78 year old Pam Ormsby, whose partner is in care. “The care that our older New Zealanders are receiving is an important election issue for me,” Pam Ormsby said. “I want to know what the parties will do to ensure quality care for all older New Zealanders.”

Resthome worker and SFWU member Kristine Bartlet said: “I perform the most intimate of care for people who can no longer care for themselves. I show these people the respect they deserve, but the government doesn’t respect my work by paying me just above the minimum wage.”

“We have the support of the New Zealand public for our campaign to achieve quality care for older New Zealanders. The politicians must listen to what the public, the families, the residents, and the workers are saying and address the problems in aged care,” said NZNO member Janine Kidd.

“Our charter calls on the politicians from all the parties to fix the residential aged care sector and ensure that there are minimum safe staffing levels, fair pay, nationally consistent training and a guarantee that public funding is used transparently,” said SFWU National Secretary John Ryall.

ENDS

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