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on Wednesday, August 16, 2023
The Albanese Government has successfully delivered on its commitment to enforce the 24/7 nursing mandate across aged care homes. Starting from July 1, aged care residences were mandated to have a registered nurse present on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A month following the initiation of this reform, Anika Wells, the Minister for Aged Care, announced that 98 percent of the homes had complied by having a registered nurse available on-site.
According to Ms. Wells, "24/7 registered nursing goes beyond a mere assessment of success or failure."
"The data collected through the comprehensive range of changes we've implemented in aged care consistently reflects a positive trend. We hold strong confidence that the introduction of mandatory care minute targets on October 1 will further elevate the quality of care within the aged care system."
"This signifies the level of care extended to some of our most vulnerable citizens. I extend my gratitude to the nurses who have made the choice to return to aged care."
In conjunction with the presence of registered nurses at 98 percent of the homes, the initial month's outcomes demonstrated that registered nurses were present for an average of 23.5 hours. Furthermore, 86 percent of aged care homes achieved the benchmark of having a registered nurse on-site at all times.
Kylie Ward, Chief of The Australian College of Nursing, expressed her contentment with the announcement, emphasizing the positive impact on residents and their families.
"Senior Australians are entitled to exceptional care during this phase of their lives, and consistent nursing support around the clock guarantees their safety and well-being," Ms. Ward stated.
"In collaboration with the government, ACN is spearheading efforts to enhance the skills and authority of nurses, enabling them to assume the mantle of clinical and professional leadership within residential aged care across Australia."
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) also welcomed the news. OPAN's chief, Craig Gear, regarded this as a significant stride towards enhancing the aged care sector.
"The statistics suggest that we are now poised for substantial enhancement of care for elderly individuals residing in aged care facilities," commented Mr. Gear.
"OPAN commends the sector, especially aged care providers, for accomplishing this favorable outcome despite facing considerable workforce challenges."
Mr. Gear highlighted the necessity for the Government's exemptions granted to struggling providers to be accompanied by a clearly defined and regularly reviewed timeline.
"While we acknowledge the additional hurdles faced by aged care homes in rural, regional, and remote areas, it's crucial that the timelines for these exemptions are explicitly outlined and subject to periodic assessment."
"In such scenarios, it's imperative that alternative arrangements are accessible to elderly individuals, and strict oversight of the effectiveness of these arrangements is maintained."
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