Eventide Brighton closure update: QIRC hearing this morning, QNU organisers meeting staff today
Published: 19 October 2012
QIRC hearing this morning, QNU organisers meeting with staff today
The State Government’s decision to privatise the Eventide aged care services at Brighton is a blow to staff and residents, many of whom are amongst the most complex aged care residents being cared for in the State, the Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) said today.
The QNU learnt by press release, late yesterday afternoon, that the decision to privatise the Eventide aged care units had been made.
In response, the QNU is in an urgent Queensland Industrial Relations Commission hearing on the matter this morning. QNU officials will also visit staff at the facility today.
More information on the situation will be released when it becomes available later in the day.
QNU secretary, Beth Mohle, said this is a massive change, yet there has been no consultation with the QNU about this massive disruption to the lives of many staff, patients and their families.
“That alone is unacceptable management practice. However, we also have this façade of the State Government trying to hide behind unelected hospital and health boards, which are just making unilateral decisions about community services without any meaningful consultation with stakeholders or the wider community.
“I would not be surprised if a significant community campaign emerged out of this latest cutback to State Government services,” Ms Mohle said.
In a media statement, Metro North Hospital and Health Board Chair, Dr Paul Alexander, yesterday announced the progressive closure of Bramble and Flinders Houses on the Eventide Aged Care Campus
at Brighton. He said “the Board” has made the decision to not continue providing residential aged care.
The decision, if it goes ahead, will affect 80 patients and 69 staff.
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