Originally published as a column in Whats on Invers

There’s a critical aged care nursing shortage in Southland.

I want to find a way to help our community address this problem and encouraging overseas trained nurses, already living in this region, to upskill could provide a solution.

It’s understand that there are a number of overseas trained nurses living in Southland who currently don’t have New Zealand recognised qualifications to work in local facilities.

I’m currently talking with local organisations, including SIT, Great South and Presbyterian Support Southland, on a solution which could see these nurses given support to up skill to New Zealand qualifications through a local bridging course.

Anecdotal evidence suggests there may be up to 30 overseas trained nurses living in Southland, if we could get even some of these people up skilled to work at local rest homes, it would be a positive step forward.

I am encouraging any oversea trained nurses in the South to come forward and discuss the options.

I have already had meetings with local and national aged-care providers who are genuinely worried about whether they can continue to provide care for vulnerable elderly people in Southland.

The Labour Government’s focus appears to be elsewhere. It is more willing to spend $486 million on layers of bureaucracy and health restructuring, rather than on investment where it’s needed, by backing nurses and the aged care sector.