Media Release

8 February 2007

ANF issues urgent call for action in aged care

The ANF is calling on the Federal Government to urgently undertake a review of the aged care accreditation standards and introduce minimum staffing levels in residential facilities following allegations of widespread abuse raised by nurse academics in South Australia yesterday.

ANF Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe said the allegations are indicative of serious and ongoing problems facing the aged care sector around the nation.

‘Nurses working in aged care confront issues of poor standards and staff shortages on a daily basis,’ Ms Iliffe said. ‘It is clear that the accreditation standards are in urgent need of review as they are not picking up on these issues and ensuring they are addressed.’

Ms Iliffe said the government should introduce minimum staffing levels in aged care facilities. Nurses and other care workers cannot provide quality care if they are continually short staffed.

The ANF said poor wages paid to nurses working in aged care is also a major issue of concern. Despite the allocation of $877.8 million in the 2004/2005 federal budget to allow providers to pay ‘competitive wages’, the wage rates for nurses working in aged care remain on average $235.00 per week less than nurses working in other sectors and the wage gap has more than doubled.

‘The aged care sector will continue to find it difficult to attract nurses to work in roles that are just as demanding as those in other sectors while they pay significantly less.’

Ms Iliffe said the ANF also supported calls by the South Australian nurse academics for greater regulation, including the licensing of all carers.

‘People working in aged care should be licensed for the same reason doctors, nurses and pharmacists are – to protect the public. People in aged care settings who need care are frail, vulnerable and often at high risk with multiple health problems. They need all the protection we can give them.’

Media inquiries
Jill Iliffe, Federal Secretary 0419 576 590
Ged Kearney, Assistant Federal Secretary 0417 053 322