KEY POINTS:
The National Party says funding for care of the elderly is inadequate, and it proposes regular increases in payments and more partnerships with the private sector.
National leader John Key outlined proposals in a speech to the Health Care Providers Conference in Rotorua yesterday.
He said New Zealand's ageing population meant the private sector would increasingly get into the industry.
"In National, we think that's a good thing and we recognise people won't invest in residential care unless they are making a return on their investment," Mr Key said.
"So we want to pay a fair price for a quality service and we recognise you need to make a profit or you won't be in the business at all."
A National Government would consider using public land for residential developments, and would also look at improved multi-year funding agreements incorporating an agreed increase each year.
"This would give providers greater certainty of funding, improve their ability to deliver services and reduce compliance costs."
Other key proposals in the document, prepared by National Party associate health spokeswoman Jo Goodhew, were setting up a sector-specific industry training organisation to oversee independent providers of training, and requiring district health boards to contract for dedicated respite residential care beds.
"Planned access to respite care, both in residential care and, where workforce constraints allow, at home, would be beneficial for the health of the informal caregivers and may ultimately mean the elderly can be cared for at home for longer," Mr Key said.
Other proposals were:
* Combining home-based services into one payment that could be used more flexibly.
* Using technology to increase access to information and advice.
* Requiring DHBs to work together to set nationally consistent standards of care and contracts.
* Funding a wider choice of care providers.
* Requiring DHBs to work with providers to ensure people returning from hospital have support.
* Setting up a multi-disciplinary team for care of older people and implementing standardised audit tools and certification for DHB contracts.
The party is accepting submissions on its proposals until about March next year - a close-off date has not been set.
- NZPA
