The National Government has accelerated a crisis in aged care by undermining funding structures, says Labour's spokesperson for Senior Citizens and Aged Care, Steve Chadwick.

Speaking a day before leading New Zealand and international experts gather in Auckland tomorrow to debate policy priories for baby boomers in the aged care sector, Steve Chadwick said: "National is avoiding action which would prepare the public purse for the pressure baby boomers will place on superannuation and the health sector."

Steve Chadwick says she is looking forward to participating in lively debate over the next three days at the 2011 New Zealand Aged Care Association Conference.

"The conference will address the gap between what baby boomers are expecting from aged care and what they are likely to receive in the current policy prescription.

"I look forward to addressing these gaps and benchmarking Labour's policy against the status quo," Steve Chadwick said.

"One of the first priorities under a Labour-led government would be to set up a working party to take a staged approach to implementing the recommendations of the Labour/Green inquiry into aged care --- What the Future Holds for Older New Zealanders.

"Specific policy platforms which Labour will advocate for are detailed in that report," Steve Chadwick said.

"Concerns around aged care health services, elder abuse and cost of living pressures are really mounting for older New Zealanders. I look forward to lively debate on these issues in the coming week."