Tēnā koutou,

In the last edition of People, I touched on the issue of the government announcing ‘pay parity’ for nurses working in the aged care sector to move pay levels closer to their counterparts in the public health sector.

Since then, the Government has increased the minimum and living wages too. This is wonderful and welcome news as people are really struggling to pay their every-day expenses. It does, however, put great financial pressure on many organisations, especially charitable organisations such as PSO, who are not in a position to cover these increases through higher fees. Affordable care for all is important to us.

We continue to advocate for changes to the current chronic government underfunding of aged care and social services, to ensure that as a Not-For-Profit (NFP) we can cover the increased costs of provision and remain operationally viable.

We continue to request government action to help bridge the sector’s healthcare workforce shortages which is putting extreme pressure on all our Enliven services. Our collective gratitude must go out to the amazing nurses, health care assistants, housekeeping, laundry, and kitchen staff that continue to keep our homes operating 24/7, despite complex challenges on an almost daily basis.

These are the most difficult of times PSO has ever experienced in its 117-year history with mounting costs and diminishing donations. If you can help, either by making a donation, volunteering or donating gifts-in-kind, we would be extremely grateful. A donation to PSO ensures 100% of your donation remains in your local community.

Thank you to all our generous donors and supporters for all that you do for PSO and the people we are helping. Without your kindness and generosity, we would be unable to provide our services which we know are in great need in our community. Thank you!

Nāku te rourou nāu te rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
With your basket and my basket, the people will live.

Blessings to you all.

Jo O’Neill
CEO, Presbyterian Support Otago

PSO Board announcements

We are pleased to welcome new Board Chair, Stephanie Pettigrew, and Deputy Chair, Kerry Enright. Both were existing board members with Stephanie becoming Chair, following the resignation of Tim Mepham, given his successful appointment as an elected councillor of Otago Regional Council. Tim will remain as a PSO board member until the end of June 2023.

Stephanie is a director at Marks & Worth Lawyers, where she works in family property law, and Kerry is a retired Presbyterian Minister in Dunedin.

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