Monday, January 12, 2015

Labor Committee: – We have not reached our goals – Aftenposten

Labor Committee: – We have not reached our goals – Aftenposten

Labor takes self-criticism after eight years of red-green board and proposes new measures in older policy.

– There is a significant need for more and more precise indicators for measuring perceived quality in elderly care, says Torgeir Micaelsen, chairman of Labor’s health committee. Committee presents Tuesday proposed a new elderly reform.

One of the proposals is a new assessment tool to measure, manage and compare offers given in elderly care.

  • Ko mmer home care as agreed – and come right person?
  • Is medication right?
  • Where long do need care wait for action?
  • Getting older get enough food?
  • Have many have bedsores?
  • How are teeth?

These are examples of specific things that the committee believes may be included in a new national reporting of care offered in Norwegian municipalities.

With such a new measurement tools in place, wants Labor Committee to introduce a number of national minimum services and quality of care for the elderly. And to reach the requirements, the Commission proposes a new earmarked government grants for health and care in the municipalities.

Read also: She chose to complain about the care her father. There is almost no one else does.

Increased government control

The consequences of the proposals are increased national policy influence over elderly care, which FRP has long called for. But Micaelsen call Aps recipe for a “third way.”

Today the municipalities receive a pot of money from the state which they can freely distribute between including kindergartens, elderly and school. Money called free agents as opposed to earmarked funds, which can only be used for specific purposes.

Labor, the past decade has been an opponent of earmarking of funds for the elderly, because such funding is influenced by government override of local politicians .

FRP wishes in principle that all elderly should be financed by the state. Party believes a decision on nursing home or home, to automatically trigger a certain sum from the state that the patient can use in a public or private offerings.



“A third way”

Now, move Labor itself a small step in the direction of FRP by the state to stronger on the pitch, while the model is completely different. In Aps model will not have the money follow the patient – but will go to the sector.

– What we suggest is that new quality requirements must be combined with an earmarked grant healthcare sector. The grant must be designed so that local authorities that meet the criteria for measurable good older health – care, can use the earmarked money to what they want. This is a kind of third way , said Micaelsen who thinks this safeguards both giving municipalities large local freedom while they must meet certain measurable criteria in elderly care.

– How we think that the state can ensure an actual commitment to the elderly, while also taking into account that those who have already done and are doing a good job in the care sector, may have other needs that money should rather be used for, he informs.

Come to short

The reason that Labor politician proposes such a turnaround – away from unrestricted funds and the increased use of earmarked funds – is a recognition that major transfers to municipalities and targeted subsidies for the construction of nursing homes have not given good enough result.

Aftenposten revealed last autumn that during eight years of red-green control only became a capacity increase of 567 institutional. Many new nursing home beds replaced former place on retirement, and new privately replaced twin.

– We did not achieve the goals we set, recognizing Micaelsen.

– The instruments have not been strong enough. Many municipalities report that the bill for the operation of nursing homes make up such a high threshold that it slows the willingness to invest, he said. Meanwhile concludes Aps health advocate with the results of the current system has been a provision of care varies widely from one municipality to another.



Government money to more than nursing homes

Although Micaelsen still want increased development of nursing homes, he seems it is a paradox that the state contribute only direct support for investment in them.

Therefore, he believes that the new earmarked grant will be used to “strengthen all steps” in elderly care from simple extensive offerings in the home of day centers and of beds caregiving specials institutions.

Labor Commission’s proposals to be considered at the party’s congress in the spring.

Published: 12.jan. 2015 9:44 p.m.

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