Committee backs spot checks of aged care facilities

The Health Ministry closed Belhaven Rest Home last July after allegations an elderly woman's mouth had been taped shut. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A parliamentary committee has recommended spot checks of aged care facilities without notice and suggested changes to funding.

The health select committee made several recommendations in a report responding to a 33,911-signature petition made on behalf of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and the Service and Food Workers Union last August. The unions wanted legislation to set minimum staffing levels in residential aged care facilities.

The Government today responded to the committee's report saying it did not support moving towards a more regulatory staffing model.

However, the spot checks would happen as that was existing policy.

It said additional funding would help providers better support and retain staff.

The committee's recommendations included:

* Some government funding be ringfenced for the aged care workforce;

* that government funding focus on pay parity across the aged care workforce and District Health Board counterparts;

* that the sector be required to move toward qualifying aged care staff;

* that a working party including the Health Ministry, HealthCare Providers New Zealand, and unions be set up to recommend training paths and registration requirements,

* that salary be linked to training;

* that audits be conducted without notice; and

* that consideration be give to setting up a register of caregivers who committed elder abuse.

The Government responded saying it aimed to provide more certainty around funding of the sector, first by looking at how DHBs contract providers and allocate funding.

The Government would treat the quality of nursing and supervision as a priority and additional funding would allow more attractive employment conditions.

Previously announced funding of $18 million to be included in the May budget would make a significant difference, the report said.

Budgets 2005 to 2007 gave $87m towards improving pay rates.

The Government said a review was being done by DHBs and providers which would consider training.

It supported a special industry training organisation being set up for the sector.

The Government would seek further advice from agencies about legal requirements for establishing an elder abuse register.

There have been several high profile cases in recent years, including an incident where an elderly woman had her mouth taped shut by a carer.

The Greens welcomed the confirmation of spot checks.

"The Green Party has been calling for transparency about what is happening in aged care facilities and the introduction of spot audits is a first step," Greens health spokeswoman Sue Kedgley said.

"Now we need to know when these audits will start and whether they will be robust and consistent."

She said the same level of transparency that hospitals had to meet was needed given the taxpayer funding of the sector.

Ms Kedgley was "deeply disappointed" the Government rejected recommendations around pay parity and for mandatory staff to patient ratios.

"Until staff in rest homes are paid decent wages, and there are mandatory staff to patient ratios, I predict the sector will continue to be dogged by scandals, and there will be inadequate and unsafe care for our vulnerable elderly in many rest homes around New Zealand."

The 2005 Ministry of Health guidelines for minimum staffing levels were voluntary.

- NZPA