Recent media coverage about staffing shortages threatening the operation and viability of one of our district's much-loved and respected aged care providers, Kaitaia's Claud Switzer Home, was right on the mark.
The shortage of nursing staff qualified to care for our elderly is a real issue for everyone at or approaching retirement age in Northland, or anyone with a loved one in that category.
Fortunately, Kerikeri Retirement Village can source just enough capable people. But only just — believe me when I say it's an issue we have to deal with on a monthly basis.
It's clear that New Zealand faces a chronic skills shortage in aged care. In the short term we need to encourage suitably-skilled migrants — not deport them. In the longer term we should be equipping Kiwis to enter the sector.
We need the Immigration Minister to put healthcare assistants and registered nurses back up the register of priority skills shortages.
