The Government is to speed up use of a new assessment programme for elderly people.
The computer-based programme, known as InterRAI, was intended to begin by June 2015 and is now being brought forward by a year.
Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says the clinical assessment programme will ensure people in rest homes across the country are getting a consistently high standard of care.
Documents released to Radio New Zealand News say district health boards have $10.8 million in funding with which to roll out the programme.
The Aged Care Association supports InterRAI, but says it doesn't have the time now to train 1900 nurses in how to use it.
Martin Taylor of the Aged Care Association is a co-chair of the rollout and he says it is being rushed for political reasons.
Grey Power support
Grey Power says the plan should go ahead.
Grey Power president Roy Reid says it enables close monitoring of a person's needs and that InterRAI is useful initiative.
