ANF concerned about aged care workforce issues
Published: 15 June 2011
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) has expressed concern over workforce issues raised in a TV report about Australia’s under-resourced aged care sector.
ANF Assistant Federal Secretary, Yvonne Chaperon, said the segment on last night’s 6.30 with George Negus highlighted the inadequatetraining and qualifications of some aged care workers.
Ms Chaperon said the licensing of all aged care workers was among a raft of reforms the ANF was fighting for as part of its ongoing Because We Care campaign – aimed at fixing Australia’s aged care system.
“Along with greater funding of the aged care sector, there are several crucial workforce issues that are integral to reforming our aged care sector,” she said.
“We must have a requirement of minimum care hours, extra staffing levels and the right skills mix of aged care workers and the licensing of workers, if we are to improve the care that our older Australians need and deserve.
“These reforms will ensure there is the right balance of skills and nursing hours so that nurses and care staff are able to deliver quality care for every resident they care for.”
Ms Chaperon said the aged care sector was in desperate need of nurses and assistants in nursing (AINs) but added that the current wage gap between aged care nurses and their colleagues in other parts of the health system was one of the main reasons recruitment was an ongoing problem for the sector.
The “Because We Care” campaign is calling on the Gillard Government to honour its commitment of fixing Australia’s aged care system in its second term and includes a provision that there is greater transparency and accountability of funding.
For more information on the “Because We Care” go to www.becausewecare.org.au
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