Those of us fighting for our loved ones in aged care are disappointed by continued resistance to back our calls for better staff/resident ratios. Staffing skills and numbers have fallen to dangerous levels and people are being harmed.
Staffing skills and levels have declined significantly over the years and there are currently no minimum requirements for nurse training or time available per resident per day.
Unlike Australia, the US government openly acknowledges that staffing levels and skills are "the most critical determinants of care". It also recognises the significance of employee turnover and tenure as “a vital component of quality care for nursing home residents”.
Recommended minimum safe staffing levels have been established to ensure that residents are not harmed. These are based on careful research and expert opinion. Extensive staffing and care data has been available in the USA for nearly 20 years. In Australia, there has been a 21-year battle to keep this sort of information away from those who need to know it.
There are also no requirements to disclose or publish staffing levels, making it impossible to make informed choice and has exposed many vulnerable citizens to the risk of exploitation by profit-focused operators.
CLICK HERE TO SHARE THIS PETITION
For 7 years I have been hearing about the neglect in aged care. With too few trained staff, it’s not surprising. Everyone works badly under work stress, and you don’t get the best out of an employee. I’ve heard evidence from:
- Family members with loved ones in care
- Allied health professionals
- Aged care staff
- Independent aged care advocacy groups
- Ongoing news coverage and programs over the years
- Comments on this petition
Way back in 2013, Dr Jo Harrison signed this petition. Dr Harrison a gerontologist from Adelaide, and this is what they had to say:
"I am a gerontologist and I am appalled at the lack of staff/resident ratios. There were ratios and they were removed and the Productivity Commission should have recommended that they be returned as a matter of urgency. I have worked in residential facilities and I find it reprehensible that residents may not have a guaranteed level of staff support on duty at all times. Even in childcare this is the case. Why not in aged care?"
Dr Kidd, who has provided care to residents in nursing homes since the 1990s, spoke for the AMA at the House of Reps Inquiry on 11th May 2018. He said "It’s definitely worse now than it was 20 years ago”.
We've got all the evidence we need. What we need now is a government that will stand up to aged care providers who are putting profits before people. This election, make sure you vote for whoever promises to act boldly and DO SOMETHING for our loved ones in aged care.
Soon, I'll be letting you know how you can contact your local MP and ask them to commit to fixing this mess. We have the evidence. Now, we need action.