Local MP List
Presbyterian Support Central (PSC) is one of seven autonomous regional Presbyterian Support organisations. Collectively we are one of Aotearoa’s largest not-for-profit (NFP)/charitable health and social service providers and have been providing services on behalf of the Government for more than 115 years. PSC operates and provides services across Taranaki, Whanganui, Horowhenua, Manawatu, Wairarapa and the greater Wellington Region.
Through Enliven, PSC provides aged care services by operating 14 aged care homes offering various levels of care including, rest home, hospital, and dementia care (800+ beds). We also operate nine very small retirement villages (total 190 units). Through Family Works, we provide social services that support children, young people, families and communities who have experienced trauma, family violence, separation, poverty, stress and anxiety, to have a safer and brighter future.
Coming into care is not a decision taken lightly by anyone. Today, we see more families in need than ever before. By 2030 according to official statistics we will need thousands more aged care rooms. But the current lack of funding and reliance on donations puts this at risk. We cannot build more rooms or upgrade our homes, increase staffing levels, or purchase appropriate equipment without an increase in what the Government allows us to charge – we do not determine the daily rate for residents who are fully subsidised or for those who pay themselves but take the day rate set by the Government.
As a not-for-profit provider we have, and continue to face, extreme financial pressures. We have already had to downsize our services, spend reserves, close beds, reduce staffing levels and are today facing further difficult choices. We know how important it is for people to have access to our services and to have a home to live in, that otherwise they couldn’t afford, and we are saddened that funding is not even close to keeping pace with inflation. Our homes and staff provide an important contributory and complementary service to the wider publicly funded health system for those at the most vulnerable stages of their lives, which ultimately relieves pressure on hospital beds.
To continue operate our services with the level of quality we currently have we rely on the financial provisioning and support from our independent living retirement villages (which effectively subsidise some of the operating costs for our homes and social services). This has been, and continues to be, a necessity because of the chronic underfunding. Unfortunately, this area is under scrutiny by Ministry of Housing and Urban Development officials along with an IRD proposal to tax charities adding further financial deficit.
So, on behalf of Enliven, or residents, our staff, and our families, we ask that you write to your local MP (not email but by post as MPs must respond to letters) urging them to ask questions of their colleagues on aged care, its funding, and its future provision especially for Not-For-Profit/Charities like us. Attached below is a list of Local MPs and their addresses.
Thank you for being part of the Enliven family/whanau and a special thanks to the many supporters and donors who help us. I know that every day our teams do their very best for your loved ones. Sometimes we get it wrong and for that I am sorry. But know that each day we are trying to do our best to serve those in our care.