Regional general manager of planning and funding David Chrisp said the meeting, attended by the six service providers and needs assessors, had been a relatively positive one, given the changes suggested would mean a decrease in revenue for the organisations involved.
Among issues discussed was the capacity of the needs assessors, and whether assessments were done in a timely way, to ensure services no longer required were discontinued, particularly in the area of housework help.
Some discussion also took place on the way the boards' contracts with services could be improved for more flexibility.
Providers were keen to be kept informed about the boards' plans; the effect of reductions in service on their businesses and workers was also on the agenda, and it had been agreed they would continue to meet as "things progress", Mr Chrisp said.
Further meetings with other provider groups, such as those providing residential care, would be held soon.
Needs assessment co-ordinators (Nascs) were already reviewing how they allocated services, ensuring initially they were fairly applying criteria.
People who should not be getting a service now could well see their service reduced or removed where appropriate.
Once meetings with providers were completed, any new criteria or guidelines developed would be put into place quickly.
Such implementation would need to include risk management strategies and "enhanced communication".
The cash-strapped Otago and Southland boards have been considering a report from the planning and funding department which said they were delivering services to the elderly above the national level by a combined $14.5 million annually.
The amount of "over-delivery" of home-based support service care was estimated to be $2.7 million in Otago and $1.4 million in Southland annually, and it is suggested that use of services should be progressively brought into line with national averages over three years.
The level of housework support was described as "cause for particular note" in the report.
The report suggested the number of clients receiving this in Otago needed to drop by 1248, to fall into line with national averages (Southland 556).
The numbers receiving personal care assistance needed to drop by 260 in Otago and 219 in Southland to reach the national average, Mr Chrisp said.
