13326 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Associate Minister of Health

13326 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Associate Minister of Health: What actions, if any, has the minister taken to ensure that older patients are not staying longer in hospital, in lieu of sufficient beds in aged care facilities?

Hon Casey Costello: Health New Zealand are undertaking a review of the Aged Care funding and service models which aims, over time, to improve the sustainability of aged care services, and ensure equity of access and services across New Zealand, including Aged Residential Care. I am advised that if and when there are more patients requiring a bed than there are beds available within a locality, options considered include vacant beds at alternative suitable facilities. In areas where there are capacity constraints in Aged Residential Care, to ensure flow of acute cases, beds are prioritised between acute and community need.