Media Release: 8 December 2009

ANF: Don’t drag feet on aged care reform

The Australian Nursing Federation welcomed COAG’s ongoing commitment to health reform announced yesterday but said the Federal Government must act urgently to prevent a deepening of the crisis in the aged care sector.

ANF Federal Secretary Ged Kearney said while nurses were happy with the progress in primary health care reform, aged care was lagging behind in this process.

“The Prime Minister has admitted that the health system has reached a tipping point and aged care is one of the most at risk following years of neglect,” she said.

Ms Kearney said the ANF had developed a raft of proposals to assist in the reform of the aged care sector including providing adequate working conditions and salary levels for nurses and carers.

“We are looking forward to a positive response from the federal government in the May Budget to help solve the staffing shortages and improve the quality of care being offered to residents of nursing homes.”

Media Contacts
Eleni Hale, Media and Communications (03) 9602 8522 / 0402337388
Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary 0417 053 322
Lee Thomas, Assistant Federal Secretary 0419 576 590

The ANF, with 170,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.