Nurses want early action to fix aged care
(Media Release
30 October, 2009
30 October, 2009
120 nurses from around Australia will today urge Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon to take action and address major challenges facing the aged care sector in the next decade.
Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) said that Ms Roxon will address the Biennial Australian Nursing Federation Conference in Manly this morning on the challenges facing health systems across Australia, in particular the challenge of the ageing population.
“We will urge the Federal Government to address the workforce issues that threaten to undermine the future of the aged care sector in Australia.
“At the top of the list will be assistance from the Federal Government to address the massive pay gap between aged care nursing staff and their colleagues in the public health system, which is up to $15,000 per year.
“The ANF has a four point plan to address these issues and ensure Australia continues to have a high quality aged care sector.
“Firstly, we need to halt the exodus of Registered and Enrolled nurses from aged care and ensure our nursing homes have the right mix of staff to get the job done by introducing a minimum staffing ratio.
“Secondly, we need to lift skill levels across the board, from nurses to personal carers by ensuring there is a minimum qualification requirement and a well structured career path for nurses and personal carers.
“Thirdly, to get more people into the industry and to hold onto the excellent staff we already have, we need to increase pay.
“And finally, we need make sure that any extra funding from the Federal Government flows through to aged care staff so they can deliver the best care possible - that means proper acquittal processes for aged care funding,” Ms Kearney said.
Abridged
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