59946 (2024). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Associate Minister of Health

59946 (2024). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Associate Minister of Health: Is Health New Zealand or the Ministry of Health exploring removing funding for some levels of in-home care as part of the Aged Care Funding & Service Models Review; if so, what funding levels are being considered for removal?

Hon Casey Costello: Health New Zealand is reviewing the aged care system to ensure that options can be considered that are appropriate for improving health outcomes of older people. I am advised that there may be some areas where health services should be more targeted based on the clinical components of an older person's assessment. I am also advised that many Health NZ Districts have already removed historically funded areas by adopting a more targeted and nationally consistent approach. This commenced in 2018, was released in a national framework in 2020 and is within scope of the current review. It is my expectation that Health NZ targets funding to ensure it can deliver health outcomes for older people and that it continues to put clinical needs at the forefront of its considerations.