The New Zealand government has again stepped up its support for the health response to COVID-19 with a $200 million investment in personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as funding for residential aged care and medicines.
“Our frontline health staff do incredibly important work caring for New Zealanders. They need and deserve our support,” Health Minister Dr David Clark said.
“A key part of that is keeping health staff safe by providing appropriate personal protective equipment.
“This is an unprecedented investment and reflects the continuing demand for PPE across our hospitals, primary care, aged care, home care and essential services workforces,” David Clark said.
“Like other sectors of the economy, our health and disability support services are having to adapt to new ways of working in the face of COVID-19,” Dr Clark said.
“Many health care providers are incurring new costs directly related to COVID-19 – none more so than residential aged care, which takes care of some of our most vulnerable people.
“Aged care providers are taking a range of measures to keep residents and staff safe. For example, they are now routinely isolating new and returning residents for 14 days.
“This funding will provide immediate support to providers maintaining their facilities free of COVID-19 and ensure aged care providers can continue to take the necessary steps to respond to the virus.
