Nurses at Health NZ public hospitals and health services plan to strike from 7am to 11pm on both Tuesday 2 September and Thursday 4 September. Emergency departments will be open for emergencies only.
GPs, after-hours and urgent care clinics, and other community health providers are not affected by the strikes and will continue to operate as normal.
Industrial action — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Oraexternal link
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora helps older people continue to live safely and independently in the community.
Our staff work with you and your whānau to help you make the best decisions about your health and wellbeing.
Our assessment will:
If you require in-home support, you will be asked to select an agency who will let us know how you are doing. If it is necessary to adjust your support plan you will be involved with these decisions.
Home support services for older people and others
Regular reviews will help you have the appropriate support to maintain the most of your independence.
Support is available to help you with your personal care needs, such as washing or dressing, or essential housework.
We will always focus on helping you to be as independent as possible, or to regain any lost independence.
Meals on Wheels is a support service that prepares and delivers a subsidised hot midday meal.
You usually need to be referred to the service by a healthcare provider.
The Citizens Advice Bureau has contact details for Meals on Wheels services in each region.
Meals on Wheels community directory — Citizens Advice Bureauexternal link
If you receive help to have a shower, your helper should also clean the shower afterwards.
Your individual situation will help us work out how often you receive this type of support.
This support makes sure your home environment will not harm your health.
Essential housework tasks include:
Housework does not generally include dusting, cleaning windows or any maintenance of the outside of your house.
To be eligible for housework services, you must have a current Community Services Card.
Community Services Card — Work and Income | Te Hiranga Tangataexternal link
If you do not have a Community Services Card, and housework support is your only need, you may have to pay for this service.
If you have someone living with you that may be able to help, you are not eligible for this support.
The providers are:
Day programmes connect you with your community.
You will be picked up and taken home, and you will receive a meal before going home. Day programmes are tailored to your situation and are available if you:
Your Needs Assessment Services coordinator will help you to decide a suitable programme.
Respite care is available for people who are cared for in their home by someone who lives with them.
If you are a caregiver and need a break, have to go into hospital or become unwell, we can organise respite care for the person you care for.
For more information about respite services contact the needs assessment service.
Carer support is another way that we can give you a rest from caring for someone.
It is different from respite, where the person you care for stays somewhere else for a short time.
Instead, someone will come to your house while you are away. They can claim reimbursement but are not considered to be a paid carer.
