In Victoria, we are seeing the COVID-19 outbreaks mainly in private aged care where there are no mandated skilled staff ratios. In comparison, Victorian state-run aged care has very few cases. The difference? These facilities have mandated skilled staff.

The aged care sector has never been very good at infection control.

Over the years, thousands of residents have died from preventable causes due to poorly trained staff. If by chance they do have skilled staff, they have too few of them. How on earth can one nurse look after 50 residents?!

People are entering aged care later in life with more complex medical conditions, so it’s imperative that the staff are skilled and aged care facilities have the right mix of skilled medical staff and personal care staff

I urge all to keep sharing this petition. If you have a loved one in an aged care facility, please consider contacting your MP and ask if they support mandated skilled staff ratios in aged care. A change in law will keep our elderly safe.

Jane Seaholme