Geriatric scheme change

Press, 26 November 1982, Page 26

Geriatric scheme change

PA Auckland Superannuitants • whose partners have been in hospital for more than 13 weeks under the geriatric hospital special assistance scheme, will receive about $4O less a fortnight in National Superannuation. The Auckland Hospital Board’s legal and finance committee has received a

letter from the Health Department detailing changes in the geriatric special assistance scheme. The letter said that from November 1, in the case of a married couple, the partner who was not in hospital would receive the single rate of National Superannuation, plus $2O a week to cover the costs of hospital visits and the personal comforts of the

partner in care. The letter also detailed an increase from $5 to $lO a week in the personal allowances retaiined by patients in private hospitals under the scheme and by non-hospital patients in hospital board accommodation. There is no provision for a means test, according to the hospital board.