Patients Face Financial Strain as Hospital Stay Benefits Cut

Patients in New Zealand are facing significant financial challenges due to an automatic reduction in benefits following extended hospital stays. If a person remains in a hospital for more than **13 weeks**, their benefit is reduced to **$55.35** per week, a sum many argue is insufficient for basic survival needs.

Rhiannon Purves, a **34-year-old** patient, has been bedridden at **Wellington Hospital** for months due to **Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)**. This debilitating illness leaves her unable to walk or speak for extended periods. After more than **three months** in the hospital, she received notification that her supported living payment would drop from **$480** to the hospital rate of **$55** per week. The email notification came as a shock, leaving Purves grappling with the reality that she cannot afford her medication or other essential expenses on such a limited income.

Purves described her current state as “like dying but you’re still here,” emphasizing the emotional toll and the ongoing pain she experiences. Her struggles are compounded by the difficulty of communicating with **Work and Income**, the government agency responsible for providing social support. Purves stated, “I won’t survive here on $55 per week; it’s not enough to cover my medication alone.”

Automated Benefit Reductions Raise Concerns

According to **Gagau Annandale-Stone**, the Regional Commissioner for Social Development at the **Ministry of Social Development**, the hospital rate is designed to cover personal expenses. However, many patients, including Purves, argue that this system fails to consider their unique circumstances. “If the hospital is unable to fund medications she needs, we would require verification from a health practitioner that they are essential for her condition,” Annandale-Stone explained.

The Ministry’s policy states that if the hospital rate does not cover necessary costs such as rent or insurance, clients may be eligible for additional support. Despite this, Purves filled out the necessary forms detailing her expenses but received no response, resulting in her benefit being cut without prior discussion or consideration of her financial commitments.

Beneficiary advocate **Kay Brereton** criticized the automated nature of benefit reductions, asserting that case managers should thoroughly assess a patient’s situation before making such significant changes. “Things like podiatry, hygiene products, and additional food or medication must be paid for out of a small allowance of $55 a week,” Brereton noted. She emphasized the need for personalized assessments rather than blanket policies.

Challenges for Patients with ME/CFS

The situation is particularly challenging for those suffering from ME/CFS, a condition that affects an estimated **45,000** New Zealanders. The illness is known for causing severe fatigue and cognitive difficulties, often making it impossible for patients to maintain employment or engage in daily activities. As noted by **Vanessa Atkinson**, general manager of **ME Support**, the number of affected individuals is increasing, particularly due to the long-term effects of **COVID-19**.

Atkinson highlighted that support within the public health system for ME/CFS patients is minimal. “Rhiannon’s situation is not unique among our community and it is not uncommon for the Ministry of Social Development to change benefits without talking to the client first,” she stated. Many patients, particularly those severely affected, lack the energy to navigate the bureaucratic hurdles necessary to reinstate their benefits.

Purves expressed her frustration with the difficulty of contacting Work and Income. “They’re making it impossible to contact them. It should not be this hard for a disabled person in hospital to get help,” she said. The challenges she faced over a three-week period exemplify the broader issues within the system, where automated processes can lead to devastating consequences for vulnerable individuals.

As discussions continue regarding the adequacy of the hospital rate and the processes surrounding benefit adjustments, advocates are calling for more humane considerations in the welfare system. The case of Rhiannon Purves serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those with chronic illnesses, particularly during times of critical health crises.