Transfer to a different residential care facility

You can transfer to another residential care facility if you want to. Or you may have to transfer if the level of care you need has changed.

Check your notice period

Check your Admission Agreement to see how much notice you must give when transferring to a different rest home or hospital. This agreement is the contract you have with your residential care facility.

Your Admission Agreement and care plan

If you want to transfer

Contact your local Needs Assessment Service Co-ordination (NASC) office, to let them know you want to transfer to a different rest home or hospital.

They will:

  • do a new needs assessment to make sure you’re moving to a place that can give you the care you need
  • seek approval for your transfer if you are transferring to another Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora region. Your local NASC team will arrange this with the other NASC office
  • fill out a Residential Care Transfer Form for you.

Find your local NASC service — NASC

Avoid paying for 2 care homes when you transfer

If possible, arrange your transfer date so there is no overlap between the care facility you are leaving and the one you are transferring to. While you have an overlap you may need to pay for 2 care homes.

You must pay the extra costs yourself if you get the Residential Care Subsidy and there's an overlap when you transfer.

When the notice period may not apply

You may not have to wait for the notice period before you can transfer, if:

  • your NASC assessment shows you need a different level of care
  • the new level of care is available at your existing rest home or hospital.
Example of when notice period will not apply

You have an assessment which shows you need to move from a rest home to a hospital level of care. Your current rest home does not provide hospital level care. So the notice period in your Admission Agreement does not apply.

Problems with transferring

A rest home or hospital must make it easy for you to transfer. This is a requirement under their contract with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. If you have a problem, contact your local NASC office for help.

Find your local NASC service — NASC

Contact Seniorline

Seniorline provides information for older people about residential care, community services and how to get help at home.

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact one of the following agencies.

Utility links and page information

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