The New Zealand government has announced three initiatives to support the health and disability workforce through accommodation fund for those needing to live away from home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Health Minister Dr David Clark announced today a $10 million ring-fenced accommodation fund for health and disability workers who need to stay away from their homes during COVID-19 because they have vulnerable people at home. They can also access the fund if they have been deployed to other parts of the country to backfill workers or to provide additional support.
“We want to help you keep your families safe. This fund will help protect vulnerable loved ones, and help staff to continue delivering essential health and disability services” said David Clark.
On top of the accommodation fund, a phone counselling service has been set up for health staff requiring extra mental health support during what Dr Clark said was a “stressful time”. It will be funded for nine months.
A coronavirus clinical advice line for community health providers including general practice nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, pharmacists, midwives and aged residential care providers was also announced today.
“Every frontline health and support worker, whether they’re in primary health or community, at a hospital, in an aged care facility, Maori or Pacific provider, NGO or in any other organisation delivering essential services are appreciated for their efforts and we want to support them,” said Health Minister David Clark.
