ID :
32839
Fri, 11/28/2008 - 19:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/32839
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Nursing home conditions to worsen: ANF
AAP - More aged care nursing homes will fail government standards in the next year if nursing conditions do not improve, the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) says.
A new study for the ANF Victoria branch has found nearly a third of 1,038 surveyed
aged care nurses are likely to quit next year because of heavy workloads and
cost-cutting measures.
ANF Victoria branch secretary Yvonne Chaperon said nursing homes had cut the number
of registered nurses. Many homes no longer had the right skill mix to help the
elderly.
The survey results reflected the situation nationwide.
"Victoria is not alone in this, we're seeing more and more division one nurses
leaving the aged care sector Australia-wide," she said.
The report found 70 per cent of aged care workers surveyed were "emotionally
exhausted".
More than a quarter said on average, once or twice a month a resident's medication
was either missed or given at the wrong time.
Only 54 per cent felt resident safety was a high priority and 62 per cent of nurses
had been threatened at least once by a resident in the past six months.
The findings come as aged care homes across the nation are being shut down or
sanctioned for failing government standards on basics such as nutrition and hygiene.
In Perth last month, John Mercer Lodge lost its government funding because of
inadequate nutrition for residents.
In Melbourne, the Rosden Private Nursing Home was shut down and slammed as being
"filthy".
It was the fifth Victorian nursing home in two months sanctioned for failing set
standards.
Ms Chaperon said the Rudd government needed to scrutinise how its $41 billion over
four years for nursing homes was being spent.
"We have seen time and time again that the proprietors aren't spending it where we
think they should be spending it and that is on wages, increasing staff levels,
increasing resources," she said.
Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot urged operators to pay workers adequately.
"I would encourage the providers to work very closely to provide adequate pay for
our nurses in the aged care sector," she said.
Meanwhile, industry body Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA) said a national
survey it released on Friday in Melbourne, showed almost half of all aged care homes
built since 2000 were running at a loss.
ACAA chief Rod Young said 44 per cent of the homes ran at a loss, with 20 per cent
losing more than $1 million a year.
A new study for the ANF Victoria branch has found nearly a third of 1,038 surveyed
aged care nurses are likely to quit next year because of heavy workloads and
cost-cutting measures.
ANF Victoria branch secretary Yvonne Chaperon said nursing homes had cut the number
of registered nurses. Many homes no longer had the right skill mix to help the
elderly.
The survey results reflected the situation nationwide.
"Victoria is not alone in this, we're seeing more and more division one nurses
leaving the aged care sector Australia-wide," she said.
The report found 70 per cent of aged care workers surveyed were "emotionally
exhausted".
More than a quarter said on average, once or twice a month a resident's medication
was either missed or given at the wrong time.
Only 54 per cent felt resident safety was a high priority and 62 per cent of nurses
had been threatened at least once by a resident in the past six months.
The findings come as aged care homes across the nation are being shut down or
sanctioned for failing government standards on basics such as nutrition and hygiene.
In Perth last month, John Mercer Lodge lost its government funding because of
inadequate nutrition for residents.
In Melbourne, the Rosden Private Nursing Home was shut down and slammed as being
"filthy".
It was the fifth Victorian nursing home in two months sanctioned for failing set
standards.
Ms Chaperon said the Rudd government needed to scrutinise how its $41 billion over
four years for nursing homes was being spent.
"We have seen time and time again that the proprietors aren't spending it where we
think they should be spending it and that is on wages, increasing staff levels,
increasing resources," she said.
Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot urged operators to pay workers adequately.
"I would encourage the providers to work very closely to provide adequate pay for
our nurses in the aged care sector," she said.
Meanwhile, industry body Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA) said a national
survey it released on Friday in Melbourne, showed almost half of all aged care homes
built since 2000 were running at a loss.
ACAA chief Rod Young said 44 per cent of the homes ran at a loss, with 20 per cent
losing more than $1 million a year.
