Stand and deliver: ANF to PM

By Stephen Easton

Hopes are high among aged care nurses and nursing assistants that 2011 will be the year for long-awaited reforms to the sector, according to the Australian Nursing Federation’s Federal Secretary, Lee Thomas.

ANF members eagerly anticipate the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, honouring her pre-election commitment to make aged care reform a priority in her second term of government.

The Prime Minister made the promise during an address to the NSW Nurses’ Association at their annual congress last July, and the Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, said the government would move swiftly in responding to the Productivity Commission’s preliminary report into aged care, due on January 21.

The ANF is among over 480 aged care stakeholders to make submissions to the Productivity Commission’s enquiry, and believes its findings will provide the government with the basis for sweeping reforms to the sector.

“2011 is a very important year for aged care,” Ms Thomas said. “It’s very important that if we want a robust and viable sector for the future, particularly residential care, we need some very substantial reforms, very soon.”

“We get a chance to respond to the enquiry and as a major stakeholder, that’s clearly what we are going to do. Our campaign will continue. Our members are very clear that we are reaching a point where something has to be done."

Aged care nurses are paid up to $300 a week less than their public hospital counterparts, according to a statement from the ANF, which also calls for greater transparency in Commonwealth funding for aged care and “the appropriate number of staff with the right skills to ensure adequate care for residents.”

“Unless the pay issue is addressed, we can’t attract new staff and the staffing levels will get worse and worse,” Ms Thomas said. “That’s what our members say.”

“And we’ve got to know where [government] money’s going, so that money that’s dedicated and earmarked for care, goes to care, and money that’s dedicated and earmarked for capital goes to capital.”

“Politicians understand that as a community we have a responsibility to care for everybody. I think what the government is looking for, through the productivity commission report, is a solution to these really hard questions. The whole of the sector is looking for some reasonably substantial reforms.”

As an RN1 in my 50's it is of utmost concern what is happening to aged care - where indeed is it headed? Clearly down the gurgler. Very apparent - limited trained staff, poor skill-mix, international workers++, large facilities (100+) with one RN1 in charge; many of these Div2 coverage only with perhaps RN1 on call (for approx. $12 overnight?!). Large money-making companies who endeavour to look great in the general eye of the community however beneath the scenes, it is the workers who are doing all the 'real work'. Carers paid $17/hr to look after our residents - limited training - students used to full capacity as 'staff', RN1 full responsibility of untrained workers and problem-solving unlimited medication mistakes - meds dispensed by care-staff. HUGE documentation pressures. Lots of unpaid overtime, to ensure that all documentation completed = good resident care.

Posted by Lorraine Andrew. 14/01/2011 08:57:04 PM

aged Care needs a MAJOR overhall.We cannot attract staff to work in Aged Care and staff are leaving due to increased work load.We cannot use agency staff and have to work 2 and 3 staff short.Management are unreasonable and don't want to listen.Workers safety at risk and resident care is suffering due to Government NOT CARING.It's been in the too hard basket for years and about time something is done.

Posted by Karen Gasson. 15/01/2011 06:42:37 PM

The Aged Care Sector needs help. I completely agree with Lorraine and Karens comments. We have limited trained staff, approx 30% of our staff are international with very limited english and/or skills. Our facility is 100+ with one RN in charge. We are paid $17 an hour. Students are used to full capacity, forget training, that is up to the ains on the floor if they have the skills or time to train, our employer hires people with no experience or training and puts them on full shift and are expected to work to full capacity. Numerous meds mistakes are made due to limited time and stress. care-staff help to dispense meds. Major documentation pressures. Currently we are undergoing in the next 2 weeks a staff cut, hours cut per shift, and rotation of staff. We are expected to uphold the level of care with less time to do this in, does this equal good care for our residents? This is less care for our elderly, Do they deserve this? Something needs to be done, and not in 5 years, the aged care industry is suffering, we need help NOW

Posted by Erin Ryan. 03/04/2011 05:22:16 PM