Ruth Dyson

By Maggie Tait of NZPA

Wellington, Feb 11 NZPA - Elderly people who cannot cook or clean for themselves are losing home help support after a review, Labour health spokeswoman Ruth Dyson told Parliament today.

Ms Dyson said thousands of elderly had been reassessed as needing less or no support.

The services are funded by District Health Boards and are aimed at supporting older people so they can remain in their own homes.

She asked Health Minister Tony Ryall in Parliament about cases where people had lost their assistance.

"Is he satisfied that 86-year-old Miss Muriel Mouet of Lower Hutt, who cannot change the sheets on her bed, hang out her washing, clean the bathroom, toilets or floors, or vacuum her home has had her home-support hours cut in a move described by her nephew as bullying; and how does that stack up against his promise to have no front-line health services cut?"

Mr Ryall said he did not have the specifics of that case.

"But I can advise the member that I have been assured that no one will be unsafe or unable to stay in his or her own home as a result of this review of home-support services."

Mr Ryall said the Government was making changes.

"As we improve the public health service over time, patients will see changes in how front-line services are provided. Demand for services changes over time as populations change and providers change.

"There will be more of many services, and occasionally there will be fewer of other services, but more money will always go into the health budget and into more services overall. We have increased the health budget, and front-line services are increasing."

Ms Dyson said a district health nurse had complained that she had been forced to cut hundreds of health checks for the elderly; "and was now seeing those same people being admitted to hospital, costing the health board even more in the long run; and how does that stack up against his promise to ensure that nurses have more say?"

In subsequent speeches Labour MPs listed other cases where elderly people had lost support.

Mr Ryall said health got an extra $750 million this year.

"We have produced a record number of elective surgeries, we have more people getting cancer treatment, and we have faster emergency departments. We are investing in the priorities that New Zealanders have."

Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway asked about $9m worth of cuts at MidCentral District Health Boards which would impact on rehabilitation, sexual health services, diabetes intervention and support, dialysis services to older people, and 24 assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation beds in the Horowhenua.

Mr Ryall said the Government had inherited a worsening situation at the DHB.

"I have to say that this financial uncertainty is making it hard on the staff and the community despite the Government increasing the MidCentral District Health Board's budget by $26 million last year. I must advise that member that the best way to secure the long-term future of health services in the MidCentral region is to get that district health board on to a solid financial footing. I am not prepared to let the MidCentral District Health Board limp on and put its long-term sustainability at risk."