ANF calls for urgent action to fix Australia’s aged care crisis
Published: 14 December 2010
Urgent reform of the aged care sector must be undertaken by the Federal Government to meet the growing challenges of Australia’s aging population, the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) announced today.
ANF federal secretary Lee Thomas said tomorrow’s Ministerial Conference on Ageing was “an important opportunity to address critical issues faced by older Australians and aged care staff.
“Over the years there has been no lack of consolidation and analysis about the critical issues facing the aged care sector,” Ms Thomas said.
“Now we need action and we need it fast.
“With Australia’s aging population, we simply can’t afford to delay the process of reform any longer.
“We all know the aged care sector is facing significant challenges.
“Now, the Federal Government and other key stakeholders must lead the way in fixing the problems.”
Ms Thomas urged Ministerial Conference delegates to address two key issues affecting the aged care sector:
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The $300 wage gap between aged care nurses and nurses in the public hospital system.
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Transparency in the aged care sector to guarantee that Government funding goes directly to the care and comfort older Australians.
“Fixing aged care is now a critical issue on Australia’s health agenda,” Ms Thomas explained.
“No one can escape the reality that improving aged care requires significant reform and investment.
“We need enough nurses and assistants in nursing to care for the increasingly more complex care needs of our elderly.
“In 2008, the then Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot said that caring for our ageing population is one of the major challenges facing our nation this century and the Government takes that responsibility very seriously.
“Well, two years on, the Government must act on this responsibility and address the issues affecting the aged care sector.”
Ms Thomas said the ANF’s would step-up its current “Because We Care” campaign to fight for better wage outcomes and appropriate staffing levels. "We must ensure older Australians get the quality care they deserve from nursing and care staff with adequate skills mix and enhanced staff to patient ratios."
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