Allegations of over-crowding, soiled beds in respite care
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RNZ News
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- RNZ News
Thousands giving up Medic Alert bracelets in cost of living crunch
Photo: Supplied The Medic Alert Foundation has started a petition calling for government funding to ensure all those who need a medic alert bracelet, can get one. The bracelets carry an emergency number so first responders can access their medical records if they cannot speak for themselves, due to an allergic reaction, epilepsy or another condition. However, chief executive Murray Lord has told Nine to Noon that up to 9000 New Zealanders were letting lapse their $70-a -ear membership due to cost of living pressures. "Over the last year or two we've had an increased incidence of people saying 'Look, I just can't find the money anymore'. We do everything we possibly can to help them keep their service - but being a charity, you're limited by the capacity of your funding." Research commissioned by the foundation found for every dollar spent on the service, it saved the health system $11. About 22 percent of the population could benefit from a medic alert bracelet, but it was currently only servicing around 2 percent. However, that was already saving the country about $56 million a year in reduced hospital costs, harm and deaths, Lord said. "If more people could access the service without these barriers, then through volume the cost of the service comes down but through technology and other aspects of the service, the value of it comes up. "So it's a bit of a no-brainer really." The enrolment process was another barrier for some people, but the capability was there (as Medic Alert was already a recognised health information service) to make it available to all, perhaps through their existing health record log-in. "There's an opportunity here. The service is already deployed nationally, the software already exists. "That technology is very advanced, it's connectable with other systems and it's life saving. We've got the opportunity to give every New Zealander access to that service, to get their information shared even if they can't talk, and make it accessible nationally and if they travel overseas."

RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Person in hospital after gas incident at Bay of Plenty hotel
Photo: Supplied / St John Ambulance A person has been taken to hospital in the Bay of Plenty after a gas incident at the Hotel Matata north-west of Whakatāne this morning. Fire and Emergency New Zealand says two fire trucks attended to support St John after it received a call just before 11 on Friday. St John says one person was assessed and has been transported to Wakatāne Hospital in a moderate condition. A manager, a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance were sent to the scene. RNZ rang the hotel, however, no-one was willing to comment but confirmed the hotel and kitchen remained open and operational. Hotel Matata Photo: Josip Bojcic Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Rest home care no longer offered at village where Elisabeth Nicholls disappeared from
Elisabeth Nicholls, 79, disappeared from Margaret Stoddart village. Photo: Supplied Rest home care will no longer be offered at the Christchurch retirement village where Elisabeth Nicholls, 79, disappeared from before her death. Ryman Healthcare said the care centres at Margaret Stoddart village in Riccarton and Woodcote village in Hornby are more than 30 years old and no longer up to standard. Independent living units will remain at both places. Ryman said the closures affects 79 people who will move to a different Christchurch village. Nicholls, who had dementia, walked out of the Margaret Stoddart village hours after being admitted for respite care in June. Her body was found almost three weeks later. In a statement, Nicholls' family said they were very saddened and relieved she had been found. The family was very grateful for everyone's efforts in looking for her, particularly police and members of the Christchurch public. Her death was referred to the coroner.