Stewart Barbara: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Stewart Barbara: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
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BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 It is a pleasure to take a call on behalf of New Zealand First in this debate. We know that this Health vote is extremely important. It does affect the well-being of many New Zealanders and of course the output has far-reaching effects. There are consequences for us all. This is an area that is far too important to play politics with; the well-being of New Zealanders is at stake. 
Again this year there has been significant investment in the health system which we applaud. It is excellent and we must congratulate the Minister. We are very aware that there are still challenges ahead. In New Zealand First we were delighted with the significant investment in the health of older people—$405.2 million over 4 years. That is a large amount. The largest amount $150 million will go towards boosting wages in the aged-care residential sector. This is an investment that is much needed in the aged-care sector. 
We know that wages needed to be boosted in the home-based support area and in the residential care sector. We have had petitions for many many years about this very aspect. It is a sad state of affairs that wages have been so low for so long. How much have we valued the contribution these workers have made? How much have we valued the elderly? It really makes one ask these questions. Fortunately the situation can now be changed for the better but the challenge will be to ensure that a significant amount of the funding is actually reflected in the pay packets of the workers. 
Inadequate staffing ratios in the residential care industry can definitely affect the care that is provided to older people and at this stage of their lives this factor is totally out of their control or the control of their family. It should not be an issue. It is essential that the workforce numbers remain stable and that there is the potential to grow and expand the number of people employed in this area. We have an ageing population and our dependence on this sector will only increase so it is imperative that there is a continued focus in this area. 
New Zealand First with the Minister has ensured not only that there is substantially more money for the aged care sector but that many of the structural problems plaguing the sector are addressed. We know that industry providers should pay fair wages and provide quality care. Of course part of that is providing some form of training. We know that successful completion of training courses helps to ensure that there is some consistency in the care of our elderly and we look forward to seeing that. We know that the money allocated last year did not have a tangible result for workers and we do not want to see a repeat of the situation this year. 
We are also looking forward to developments in the oral health field. A significant amount of money has been made available over the last few years to develop an oral health service that may better meet the needs of the various districts throughout New Zealand and to ensure that there are adequate dental therapists available to carry out the work in hygienic safe conditions. We are aware too that the rate of dental decay is on the increase in both children and young people. We know that poor oral health reflects negatively on anybody’s health particularly that of a child. 
Although we are very impressed with the amount of consultation that is currently being carried out with various stakeholders about the shape and the provision of the dental service—and I know that the district health boards are working hard to finalise their proposals for the available funds and that some have already submitted their plans—we are also very aware that additional funds will be essential if all of the projects are to be completed. There is little point in carrying out the consultation if there is insufficient money to meet the plans that are being put together at great cost. Although we realise that the training of dental therapists has been an essential priority for the Labour Government we are looking forward now to seeing the results of the consultation and an improvement in all the oral health indicators. We are looking forward to monitoring progress in this area. 
It is also important to ensure that there are adequate dentists available to provide care for high school students. We are aware that many dentists will no longer provide care for high school students and this shortfall must be corrected if we are to have a First World service. Staffing is also an issue that must be addressed over the next year.