Older Pacific peoples need appropriate health services

Culturally appropriate health services are needed to care for the rapidly increasing number of older Pacific peoples, Associate Health Minister Ruth Dyson said today.

Releasing the draft Health of Older People Strategy in Christchurch, Ms Dyson said New Zealand, like most other countries in the world, has an ageing population, and the number of older Pacific peoples would increase dramatically in the next 50 years.

"By 2051, Pacific peoples aged 65 years and over are expected to make up 6.6 per cent of the total Pacific population living in New Zealand, compared with 1.3 per cent now. That is an increase of more than 400 per cent."

Ruth Dyson said the draft strategy provided a much-needed policy framework for the health care of older people, and set out a demanding work programme for planners, funders and providers over the next 10 years.

The provision of appropriate health and support services for older Pacific peoples and their families was one of its aims, she said.

"Over the next five years, the Ministry of Health will work with District Health Boards, focusing on the seven DHBs who have the largest Pacific populations in their regions, to meet the health needs of the rapidly increasing number of Pacific elders."

The seven DHBs are Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waitemata, Capital and Coast, Hutt Valley, Canterbury and Waikato.

"This work will be done in consultation with the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Pacific health workers and Pacific peoples themselves.

"It will include extending and improving culturally appropriate mainstream health and support services for Pacific elders, developing the Pacific health workforce and Pacific health providers, and focusing on health promotion and primary health care."

Ms Dyson said this work would be done alongside implementation of the Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan.

She said the overall aims of the Health of Older People Strategy were better coordination of health and support services around the needs of older people, a greater emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention, and more emphasis on community-level health care and support so that people could continue to stay in their own homes as they get older.

"By 2010, we want health services and programmes in place that promote the wellbeing of older people, their control over their lives, and their ability to participate in - and contribute to - social, family, whanau and community life."

A number of public meetings are being held around the country to discuss the draft Health of Older People Strategy, including fono in Porirua and Auckland (see attached timetable).

Written submissions close on 9 November. The final strategy will be released early in 2002, and implementation will be completed by 2010.

Copies of the draft Health of Older People Strategy, which includes a guide to making a submission, are available from the Ministry of Health, PO Box 5013, Wellington or on the website: www.moh.govt.nz

27 September 2001

Public meetings to discuss draft Health of Older People Strategy

The draft Health of Older People Strategy sets out Government's policy for the future direction of health and support services for older people. It provides a framework for service planning, funding and delivery. The key focus is on promoting healthy, active life and integrating services around the needs of older people, their family, whanau and caregivers.

The Government is seeking feedback on the proposed direction and actions in the draft strategy. You are invited to comment by making a written submission, on behalf of a group or as an individual. A guide to making a submission is provided on page viii of the document. You are also welcome to attend any of the public meetings, hui or fono listed below.

AUCKLANDFickling Centre10.00am - 12.00general
11 October (Thursday)Cnr Mt Albert & Mt Eden Rds

WHANGAREIQuality Hotel 10.00am - 12.00general
12 October (Friday) Riverside Drive

AUCKLAND15a Jack Conway Avenue2.00pm - 5.00hui
15 October (Monday)Manukau City

HAMILTONCelebrating Age Centre 10.00am - 12.00general
16 October (Tuesday)30 Victoria Avenue

ROTORUATunohopu Marae2.00pm - 5.00hui
17 October (Wednesday)Ohinemutu

HASTINGSAge Concern10.00am - 12.00general
18 October (Thursday)440 West Heretaunga St

WELLINGTONSt John's in the City Hall 10.00am - 12.00general
24 October (Wednesday) Cnr Willis & Dixon Sts

PORIRUATe Akapuanga Hall10.00am - 12.00fono
25 October (Thursday)Warspite Avenue, Cannons Creek Shopping Centre

CHRISTCHURCHAge Concern10.00am - 12.00general
29 October (Monday) 64 Cashel St

CHRISTCHURCHRehua Marae2.00pm - 5.00hui
29 October (Monday) 79 Springfield Rd

DUNEDINOctagon Club10.00am - 12.00general
30 October (Tuesday)The Octagon

NELSONAge Concern Centre 10.00am - 12.00general
2 November (Friday) 67 Trafalgar St

AUCKLANDHotel Centra2.00pm - 4.00fono
5 November (Monday)128 Albert St

AUCKLANDLakeside Convention Centre6.00pm - 8.00fono
5 November (Monday)Montgomerie Rd, Manukau City