Home-care response

Nelson and Marlborough home-based care providers will respond to the District Health Board's latest contract offer at a meeting next Tuesday.

The Florence Nightingale Agency, Presbyterian Support, Healthcare of New Zealand, Access Home Health, and Nelson Nursing Services have so far not renewed home-based care contracts that expired in September. The expiry date has since been rolled over into January while contract details are thrashed out.

The Nelson Marlborough District Health Board "has certainly made some advances in the latest offer", said Christchurch-based Florence Nightingale Group general manager David Nightingale.

The message from home-based care providers was that with a growing ageing population, the demand for aged care could only increase, said Mr Nightingale.

Providers were aware the board was in a difficult position with health funding being cut. But sufficient money was essential if the benefits of home-based services were to continue, he said.

- The Marlborough Express