8. Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Has he received any reports on changes to the aged care arrangements in Wellington; if so, what assurances can he give to workers in the aged care sector that they will not lose their jobs?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
Yes; and although this is an operational matter of the Capital and Coast District Health Board, it has informed me that the two providers going forward will need to increase their workforce to meet demand. Capital and Coast District Health Board has also advised that the changes to providers should not mean job losses for support workers.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
Does the Government have any plans to implement a qualified workforce in the aged-care sector; if not, why not?
As the member will know, the industry and the industry training organisation Careerforce are providing training opportunities for people working in the aged-care sector across the board. The Government has also added to that with a significant investment in supporting further education and training for aged-care nurses, and for other people in that sector.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
Does he have any plans to establish a Government-funded national training pathway for all staff in residential and home-based care that is linked to a national qualification framework and recognised in pay negotiations; if not, why not?
Well, the Government supports the work that the industry and Careerforce are doing, as they take a bottom-up, quality-focused approach to improving the training. I do not think we need the sort of top-down lecturing that that party opposite might be promoting.
Hon Steve Chadwick Link to this
Has the Minister seen the Auditor-General’s report entitled Home-based support services for older people; if so, when will the Government be responding to the recommendations in the report, tabled in July?