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Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew announced today that streamlined auditing of rest homes, saving up to six hours for each audit, will be introduced from 1 January 2013.

This follows a successful trial of the new process in 23 rest homes this year.

“We continue to look at ways of reducing the regulatory burden for providers while maintaining the integrity of the audit process,” said Mrs Goodhew.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the release of a consultation document on a proposal to allow premium-only aged residential care facilities.

Premium-only facilities are those that provide additional services with all their rooms and therefore charge extra for every room.  A 2009 survey found that 44 per cent of facilities had some premium rooms.

International Volunteer Day every 5 December is an opportunity to thank the many New Zealanders who contribute their time and skills to make our communities better places to live, says Community and Voluntary Sector and Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew.

Mrs Goodhew marked International Volunteer Day 2012 by attending the Napier Connects World Café of local leaders, community groups and service providers.

The National-led Government is making it easier for disabled and older New Zealanders to live independently at home longer by increasing home and community support services.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says 14.4 million hours of home and community support were provided to disabled and older New Zealanders last financial year – 2.5 million more hours than four years ago.

“These extra support hours are used to help people with activities such as showering, dressing, and preparing a meal,” says Mr Ryall.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the launch of the new Voluntary Code of Practice for Board Recruitment, developed by the 25 Percent Group, which supports improved practices in board recruitment.

“I applaud the Code as a further commitment by the private sector towards increasing the number of women in governance. I especially want to congratulate the six recruitment firms who have already signed up to the Code and I look forward to other firms adopting it over time,” said Mrs Goodhew.

Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew today joined with the Institute of Directors in Auckland to celebrate the successful completion of its 2012 mentoring programme, and welcome a new intake of 27 women for 2013.

“The Institute of Directors is to be congratulated for its persistence and commitment to increasing the number of women on private sector boards,” Mrs Goodhew said.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

It is my pleasure to join you this afternoon.

I extend my very warmest greetings to representatives of registered charities, to members of the wider charitable sector, to officials – and to the wonderful speakers who are sharing their stories and knowledge with you as part of today’s forum for charities.

I hope you find this a valuable opportunity to listen and learn, and perhaps glean some new ideas, and also to share your own experiences and ask questions.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is applauding the continued growth of the SuperGold programme.

“Older people I meet say they’re not only delighted with the savings they’re getting from the scheme but also that more services older people really value are being added, particularly in the health and wellbeing category,” says Mrs Goodhew.

When it was launched the SuperGold Card scheme had 188 businesses with 2,215 outlets. There are now over 4,300 participating businesses, representing more than 8,600 outlets, signed up nationwide.

AXA Centre, Wellington

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Good evening everyone. Thank you for inviting me to join you in your end of year celebrations. It is a pleasure to be here today and to have the opportunity to address you as the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew is congratulating Starship on reaching a milestone as the country’s national children’s hospital.

Starship is this month marking its 21st birthday.

Mrs Goodhew has told a gathering to honour the milestone that the hospital’s evolution in the past 21 years has been incredible.

“This is an achievement that everyone involved, and New Zealand, can be proud of. Starship means that we can be reassured that children in need will receive the specialist care they need.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew announced today that Government will not proceed with a review of the Charities Act 2005 at the present time.

“The decision to not conduct a review for now reflects that the regulatory regime for charities is still bedding in and the continuing constrained fiscal environment,” said Mrs Goodhew.

In 2010 the Government announced its intention to undertake a first principles review of the Charities Act.

Associate Minister of Health Jo Goodhew today officially opened a new Tairawhiti District Health Board facility to enhance access to training and development opportunities.

The facility, which is called Ko Matakerepo – Tairawhiti Health Learning Centre, will focus on programmes for graduate health professionals and provides a dedicated space for training programmes.

“This facility provides an excellent space to develop new ideas, techniques, and ways of collaboration between health professionals across the district and wider,” says Mrs Goodhew.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa.  Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Welcome to you all and thank you Mary and Wilf for inviting me here today. I would also like to acknowledge the Hospice New Zealand Board members and in particular extend a warm welcome to all your speakers, some having travelled from overseas to be here.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew today announced that the current Boost Hospice Care funding will be rolled over for a further two years.

“The $15 million per year funding will now continue to 2015 to help hospices cover a shortfall brought about by a challenging fundraising environment, increasing demand for services and rising costs,” said Mrs Goodhew.

Introduced in 2009, the Boost Hospice Care funding gave hospices a badly needed additional $60 million over the four years to June 2013 to help them expand care and services and meet financial challenges.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the opening of the new funding round for the Community Development Scheme. 

The scheme aims to support communities to build on local strengths and address local issues.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the recipients of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships for 2013.

The Trust helps New Zealanders from all walks of life to travel overseas and bring back new insights and understanding that will enrich their community and, ultimately, New Zealand as a whole. 

“I congratulate all of this year’s Fellows and wish them successful and productive trips,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Energy Events Centre, Rotorua

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you Michelle [A’Court] for the warm introduction. It is a great pleasure to be here addressing a group who are absolutely critical to the future provision of more efficient, better and safer health care.

Without people to manage and coordinate the many volunteers who work in New Zealand every day, volunteering would be harder to do and less effective, says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew.

Monday 5 November has been set aside to mark the work of managers of volunteers and to recognise their skills in coordination, support, training, administration and recruitment.

Associate Minister of Health Jo Goodhew today announced the release of a consultation document outlining proposed options for new government controls on high power hand-held laser pointers.  

“The consultation is being undertaken to see what people think about how risks from high power hand-held laser pointers should be managed,” said Mrs Goodhew.

“This is in response to the availability of more powerful laser pointers and an increase in incidents involving their accidental or malicious use.”

Associate Minister of Health Jo Goodhew today confirmed that the 40 year partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Trust would continue for a further three years from July 2013. 

Speaking at an annual gathering of the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa New Zealand Trust Board, Mrs Goodhew acknowledged the work of the Trust and the value of hospital chaplaincy to patients and their families at what is often a very emotional time in their lives.  

State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew welcomed the release of a new survey showing positive progress for women in the public sector.

The State Services Commission has today released its 2012 Human Resources Capability Survey which has recorded in increase in the number of women appointed to senior leadership roles.

“At just over 42 per cent, we now have the highest percentage of women in senior leadership positions since the HRC survey began,” Mrs Goodhew said.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa.  Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you for inviting me to be here and speak to you today.  I am particularly pleased to be able to attend on the 40th anniversary of the funding partnership between Government and Churches to provide an ecumenical Hospital Chaplaincy service. 

Acknowledgements

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has accelerated the timeframe for the roll-out of a comprehensive clinical assessment tool in aged residential care to improve the quality of life and care of residents.

By June 2014 all aged residential facilities in New Zealand will be participating in the roll-out of the assessment tool, with use of the tool becoming mandatory in aged residential care from July 2015.

Rendezvous Hotel, Auckland

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good morning, and welcome to you all.

Thank you Elaine for the warm welcome. It is a pleasure to be here this morning as you pursue better ways to manage and prevent obesity across Australasia for our children's children.