Ageing New Zealand and Health and Disability Services Demand projections and workforce implications 2001 – 2021

Request for Comment

Date of publication: December 2004
Submissions closed: 30 March 2005

One of the actions in the Health of Older People Strategy (Associate Minister of Health 2002) is for the Ministry of Health to implement a planned approach to strengthening the health workforce to meet the needs of an ageing population.

The health sector workforce consists of a broad range of workers with widely differing educational and training requirements. In addition, family, whänau, individuals and a range of voluntary and community agencies play a significant role in providing care and support for older people.

Developing a workforce that is able to meet the needs of an ageing and increasingly culturally diverse older population will require an education system that responds effectively to health sector needs.

As part of this ongoing work the Ministry of Health has commissioned two reports. The first was a background paper that reviewed international literature on the projected impact of population ageing on health and disability support services and undertook some preliminary assessment of future demand in New Zealand (Cornwall & Davey 2004) Impact of population ageing in New Zealand on the demand for health and disability support services, and workforce implications

The Ministry sought comment on the second report, which was prepared by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER). This is a discussion document that analyses demand for health and disability support services; projects future demand to 2021and identifies workforce implications.

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Document availability

You can download the discussion document below in Word and PDF formats.

NZIER Report - Ageing New Zealand and Health and Disability Services Demand Projections and Workforce Implications, 2001–2021 (Word, 1.26MB) Warning - large file size

NZIER - Ageing New Zealand and Health and Disability Services Demand Projections and Workforce Implications, 2001–2021 (PDF, 679kB)

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Chapter 7 of the document sets out points for discussion based on the preceding analysis. The points raised in the report are not an exhaustive list of key issues and you are invited to raise any other issues you consider to be important. A submission form for your comments is provided below.

Ageing New Zealand and Health and Disability Services 2001–2021
Background Information - International Responses to Ageing Populations

The Ministry has also prepared a paper summarising what is happening in other countries to develop workforce responses to increasing demand for health and disability support services.

Go to background paper on international responses


Two key national initiatives that are relevant to considering future workforce options are:

The Primary Health Care Strategy

Implementing the Primary Health Care Strategy will impact on the future delivery of services. Implementation to date has:

• established Primary Health Organisations covering over 90 percent of New Zealanders

• reduced the cost of accessing primary care

• developed a programme to improve the care of those with chronic conditions.

The development of PHOs creates an environment where there will be a greater focus on the system and processes that are required to support the superior management of long-term conditions. Further information relating to the Primary Health Care Strategy.

The Guideline for Specialist Health Services for Older People

The guideline sets out a framework for developing specialist geriatric and psychiatry of old age assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services in New Zealand. The framework is based on an expert service that builds on initiatives in other parts of the health system (such as the Primary Health Care Strategy), disseminates knowledge, and develops collaborative partnerships that deliver integrated services to vulnerable older people and their families and whänau.

Guideline for Specialist Health Services for Older People.