WE’VE GOT EACH OTHER COVERED

With more than 70,000 members, our strength of numbers means we are able to provide the one of the most comprehensive professional indemnity insurance policies on the market about the level of RN care, this was not done for ENs and the QNMU/ANMF is concerned that some aged care providers are reducing EN positions.

Financial members are covered by NMBA compliant Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) for up to $10 million, or $70 million in the aggregate, for eligible insurance matters.

In addition, members have access to expert representation and assistance when needed.

If you are concerned about an issue at work or think you might need assistance, call Member Connect on 1800 177 273 to find out how your union can help.

In Tasmania, Southern Cross Care has indicated that almost 50 EN positions will be lost and replaced with personal care worker positions.1 While the Federal Government has been critical of Southern Cross Care’s move, as yet there is no government commitment to mandate specific EN care requirements. The QNMU and ANMF will continue to advocate vigorously for this requirement.

ENs are an essential part of the direct care aged care workforce and the QNMU and ANMF will never stop advocating for this important role. This important role is recognised in the Queensland Health Aged Care Ratios where it is recommended that ENs constitute 20% of skill-mix in state nursing homes.

1 Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (2/12/2022), Stop the nursing cuts and protect the residents at Southern Cross Care Tasmania, retrieved from https://www.anmf.org.au/media-campaigns/ news/stop-the-nursing-cuts-and-protect-theresidents-at-southern-cross-care-tasmania

Submissions and Advocacy

In conjunction with the ANMF, the QNMU has engaged in many consultations regarding aged care reform over the past year. Our submissions have included:

■ Review of the Aged Care Quality Standards

■ Building, Training and Supporting the Aged Care Workforce

■ A new model for regulating aged care

■ The new Code of Conduct for the aged care sector

■ The capability review of the aged care regulator, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

These are just of few of the issues the QNMU/ANMF have developed clear statements for on behalf of members and those older Australians they care for.

The Future

The aged care reform process will take time and continued vigilance by the QNMU and ANMF. Workforce issues such as recruitment and retention will remain critical as the reform processes depend on a workforce that has the capacity and capability to deliver high quality safe care.

Regulation of the currently unregulated aged care workforce such as AINs and personal care workers is planned but how this will occur is currently unclear. The QNMU’s position is that this regulation must take place via the existing Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) framework.

An exposure draft of a new Aged Care Act is expected in the first half of 2023. This legislation will lay the foundation for the aged care reform process, and it is imperative the government gets it right. The QNMU and ANMF will be taking every opportunity to ensure this happens.

This year will bring much change in aged care; however, it will take time to achieve a system that is safe, provides high quality care, and is responsive to the needs of older Australians.