Welcome to 2025! It seems only yesterday that we were saying ‘hello’ to 2024, and yet here we are again with a new year well underway.
I hope all those that could, had a great time with family and friends over the holiday period, and those that didn’t have that luxury were invited to be with others.
Many of us started the year with a fizz and a bang on how we intend making those much-needed changes in our lives – usually around losing or gaining weight (yes, some of us do have that issue),
getting more exercise or ticking another thing off our bucket lists.
For me, it is getting a hip replacement. I have finally found out that my referral has been accepted, (great Christmas present), and now I just have to wait for a date to see the surgeon, which will be up to four months away.
After that I could be on the public waiting list for about 14 months before surgery.
Too many people are in a similar and unacceptable situation.
I struggle with the concept that despite all the modern medicine and technology at our disposal, New Zealand’s public health system cannot proceed at an acceptable level of efficiency. This is due to the lack of medical staff, specialists and surgeons who can ensure that the period of disablement through hip, knee, shoulder and cataract issues are dealt with in a timely manner.
The problem is that the longer we are left to manage, the worse the original problem becomes with more issues arising as a result of those initial problems.
In October last year we took our concerns to the Minister for Seniors and Associate Minster of Health, Casey Costello. We returned again in February this year to further plead our case on behalf of older people living in New Zealand who are suffering due to pain and discomfort because they have no option but to rely on the public health system.
Last time we went to Parliament, we were told that the ‘Aged Care Review’ would help alleviate these issues, but that review appears to have stalled. We are hopeful of stirring some action.
The Grey Power voice of around 40,000 members will once again be heard loud and clear asking for answers on your behalf.
Related: FROM THE PRESIDENT…November 2024
