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Leaders within the aged care sector are warning New Zealand could find itself short of tens of thousands of beds within the next two decades.
Te Whatu Ora projects 78,000 beds will be needed by 2040, but the Aged Care Association estimates we're on track to have only 33,000.
Since January 2021, 21 facilities have closed up, due to staff shortages or damage from severe weather.
And as of March 26, 136 patients were left waiting in hospital beds for aged care spaces to open up, compounding pressure on the health system.
Te Whatu Ora says it is reconsidering the funding model for aged care.
Susie Ferguson speaks to Aged Care Association interim CEO Katherine Rich, and Te Whatu Ora interim director of primary, community and rural, Emma Prestidge.