Elderly lose support after telephone reviews

Labour spokesperson Ruth Dyson challenged Health Minister Tony Ryall in Parliament about cases where people had lost home-support 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."…

> SOURCE NZPA Thursday, 11 February 2010 - 4:58pm 

Ryall labels frontline health cuts as ‘changes’

"While .. Tony Ryall continues to make statements about increasing frontline health services, the public are experiencing just the opposite and he has even gone as far as to try to re-label the cuts as ‘changes’… Ruth Dyson says.

“Thousands of older Kiwis have been 'reassessed' as not needing their home support or needing less home support.

“…I have heard reports from older people, their families and carers, nurses, Grey Power, Age Concern, and District Health Board staff who are shocked at what is happening. Many times the 'reassessments' are by stealth when a DHB staff member rings and asks if someone is coping at home. What independent person would answer no, and why is this being done over the phone?

"This is both a false economy and an insult to independent older people. Many who are brave enough to complain are having their phone assessment decisions reversed.

…“Just ask these older Kiwis if health services are increasing for them?” 

> SOURCE  Scoop Thursday, 11 February 2010, 2:56 pm Press Release: New Zealand Labour Party