Media Release: 12 April 2010
Government announcement is a $700 million band-aid
The Australian Nursing Federation welcomes a much needed policy focus on aged care but is disappointed with the government’s first aged care announcement which focuses on financial initiatives for state governments and ignores the more crucial issues facing the sector. More beds without nursing staff will only increase the pressure on residents and those who care for them.
Federal Secretary, Ged Kearney said the announcement did not address the primary issues such as the current staffing crisis, and, most importantly, safe and quality resident care.
“We are extremely disappointed because this will do nothing to alleviate the stress being experienced in the aged care sector,” Ms Kearney said.
“Staff and residents alike will feel more pressure. Each nurse will have to care for greater numbers of residents and the vulnerable older Australians will have to wait longer for that care.”
“Furthermore it will be increasingly difficult to attract new nurses into aged care. Providing incentives for GPs to step in won’t solve the problem, incentives already exist for GPs to go into aged care facilities but they are under enormous pressure themselves managing their own caseloads.
The PM acknowledged that nurses are the backbone of the aged care sector and failing to act now to support them will only worsen the crisis in aged care.”
“These measures will also not alleviate pressure on hospitals or decrease waiting times.”
Having adequate staffing levels that include highly skilled nursing professionals available to provide timely, appropriate care is the kind of response we were hoping for. The government needs to urgently address quality and safety in aged care and ensure the sector will be secure, as well as provide a robust and adequate nursing workforce as it faces the pressure of an aging population.
The ANF has today been assured by the prime minister that he is committed to addressing these issues and will meet with the Federation to work towards a resolution. "We welcome that offer and look forward to some positive outcomes" said Ms Kearney.
Media Contact
Eleni Hale, Media Advisor, 0458 892 999
The ANF, with 175,000 members, is the professional and industrial voice for nurses and midwives in Australia.