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 Home News General
Andrews turns his back on aged care workers and the elderly11 August 2003Aged Care Minister Kevin Andrews has confirmed he doesn’t care about the problems facing aged care workers or the elderly in nursing homes by refusing to introduce minimum safe staffing levels. In a bureaucratic brush off, the minister has written to the union and said that, despite the glaring examples of understaffing highlighted across the country, he believes the current system is working well. He claims that the current accreditation standards ensure "adequate'' staffing levels are in place when inspectors visit which can be as infrequently as once every three years. "Sector and consumer groups have agreed that strict staffing ratios do not work'', Mr Andrews has claimed. The only positive note in the letter is that Mr Andrews agrees with the union that aged care workers should have minimum level of qualifications. He said that the industry had been challenged to introduce minimum training levels by 2008. The union believes the time frame should actually be by 2005. Health Services Union Craig Thomson said while it was good to see the minister supported minimum training standards it was disappointing he did not support minimum staffing numbers. "We let the minister know exactly what it is like working in nursing homes where over two thirds of staff report that their facility is understaffed,'' he said. "Obviously he is not concerned that in some facilities one staffmember is looking after 100 elderly people or more at night. Elderly people and staff deserve better than this from the federal government. "Union members are disappointed by this response but it will not affect the union's campaign for minimum staffing levels and safe workplaces. We knew before we started that this federal government turns a blind eye to the needs of the elderly. "Our campaign is targeting the residential facilities where staffing numbers are substandard. What we have seen so far only confirms that there is a direct link between staffing and the levels of care provided. "You can't leave it up to government inspectors making a visit once every three years to decide whether staffing levels are adequate. "Minimum staffing levels are the only way to guarantee the safety and care of residents and the wellbeing of staff." You can Read the full text of the minister's letter. Why not go to our campaigns sections and find out more about what we are doing in aged care or have your say about the state of the industry.
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© 2003 Health Services Union (HSU) |
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