Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Labour will develop sustainable and high quality palliative care services.
Labour will build and upgrade facilities across New Zealand to support the network of
care across New Zealand.
Labour will strengthen the provision of ambulance services by instituting a staged
plan to deal with funding, workforce, crewing and training issues.
A strong and well -resourced health workforce is necessary for a strong public health
system. Labour will have a coordinated approach to ensuring New Zealand has a
sustainable, flexible and appropriate health workforce.
Labour will develop training programmes for community care and support workers,
including in the aged care sector.
Palliative care
End of life care is a sensitive subject for many people and health professionals. Ensuring
that there is good information and choices available to people is a vital part of a humane
health system.
Palliative care services have been given more focus in the health system in the last decade,
but there is more to be done to ensure that a holistic approach is taken to the final years,
months and days of life. This includes respecting patient autonomy, including family and
whānau and open and sensitive communication.
In particular in New Zealand there needs to be advanced care planning that recognises
diversity in beliefs and practices.
Labour will revise and update the Palliative Care Strategy to ensure that palliative
care is a core component of healthcare provision. This will include a review of
funding of hospices.
Labour will support an integrated approach to palliative and end of life care that
includes palliative care specialists working alongside other health professionals to
ensure the needs of patients and their families are met, and clear choices are
provided that respect the dying person‟s wishes.
Aged care
The best model of care for New Zealanders as they get older is to “age in place”. Where
possible people should be supported to live in their own homes and familiar environments as
this is demonstrably better for their health outcomes. However, it is vital that for those who
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