Australia’s Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) says it supports the Federal Government’s accelerated timeline for round-the-clock nursing in residential aged care, which is set to be mandated from July 1st.
”24/7 nursing is the key to high quality aged care, including high quality dementia care,” said OPAN CEO, Craig Gear OAM.
“Rapid access to the right level of clinical support is crucial. And we know health-related incidents don’t wait until the working day commences – they can happen at any time.”
24/7 nursing was one of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s key recommendations for improving the quality of residential aged care, alongside increased care minutes, which come into effect from 1 October.
Speeding up the delivery process was a key election commitment from Anthony Albanese.
Mr Gear acknowledged the ambitious scale of the reform and the challenges round-the-clock nursing and increased average minutes of weekly care posed for aged care providers.
“The Royal Commission threw a spotlight on a broken system. There is no overnight fix,” he said.
“Data collected under the Star Ratings system has confirmed staffing levels to be lower than we would expect, and what older people require.
“And the latest figures from the Quarterly Financial Snapshot of the Aged Care sector suggest that 54% of providers are operating at a loss.
“But that also means at least 46% of providers are turning a profit, so we need to learn from them about what they are doing well,” said Mr Gear.
Mr Gear said there were a number of support measures in place for residential aged care facilities who were struggling to meet the 24/7 nursing mandate.
These included an exemption process and a 24/7RN supplement for small residential aged care homes in rural and remote areas.
OPAN is pleased to participate in the Expert Advisory Group considering the alternate arrangements which must be in place for those with exemptions.
Mr Gear also drew attention to a recent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission webinar in which Commissioner Janet Anderson said the ACQSC would not close the doors of any non-compliant service that was “trying hard and delivering safe quality care.”
“In all circumstances, our approach to regulating these responsibilities will be fair and sensible,” she said.
Mr Gear said the 15 per cent pay rise awarded to aged care workers by the Fair Work Commission, and funded under the recent Federal Budget, would have a significant impact on workforce recruitment when it came into effect on 30 June 2023.
“What we need to do now, is to get that funding in place,” he said.
“The 15 per cent pay rise is good for aged care staff and it’s good for older people.
“Better wages are an essential ingredient in attracting and retaining quality staff, including nursing staff, into residential aged care.”
If, despite these measures, a provider was unable to deliver the reforms necessary to provide quality aged care for older people, Mr Gear asked that they be open and honest with residents and their families.
“If they have to make some really tough business decisions, they need to do it right,” he said.
“That means giving residents and their families plenty of notice and working through the process with them.”
OPAN will update older people and their families on the implications of these recent reforms at a webinar on 27 June at 1pm AEST.
For information or support regarding aged care, please call the Older Persons Advocacy Network on 1800 700 600 or visit opan.org.au
