workforce
or renewed. But we also know with the
increasing demand we’re going to have to
attract even more new entrants into our
industry to be able to meet the increased
volume of services that are going to be
required. So they really do present as key
issues and challenges for the industry. what might be the new models of care, what
might be new technologies that are brought
into the industry that would create either new
roles or change current roles. So what would
be the skills, the qualifications, even the
industrial relations flexibilities that might be
required to respond to those changes?
What were some of the key points in
the report that you think warrant more
attention? Study participants identified several key
concerns, including those surrounding
the impact of recent aged care reforms,
staffing within residential aged care
and into the time available to care for
residents. What do you think government
or service providers need to focus on
in the coming year to address some of
these concerns?
It certainly alluded to the ability to attract and
retain staff in the sector, noting the points
that I just made with regards to the need for
renewal and expansion of the workforce.
That certainly is an ongoing issue for the
industry. The commentary around linkages
between the disability services sector and the
ages services sector was also very interesting.
Whether they are competition for the same
type of care and support services or where
there are synergies to be had, that certainly
warrants further exploration and perhaps
extending some of those factors. We need to
be thinking about, as we look to the future,
Take, for example, the issue around the
ongoing reform agenda. That has obviously
been creating turbulence in the industry,
not only for providers but for consumers
and for governments, as we move towards
the agreed destination of an aged care
services industry that is basically designed
around ageing in peace, consumers having
choice and a competitive market based on
quality, price and competition.
All of those things are ongoing issues for
the industry and affect the workforce but
there are any number of issues. The major
things that are happening in the industry
are with regards to David Tune leading the
legislative review of the aged care sector
reforms, which is due to report to the
government in August. That will have some
very clear messages, I’m presuming, around
the impact of reforms on workforce as well
as other areas.
Then there are also many other activities
that are under way … other elements of
the industry that are also being reviewed
that will all coalesce around, in particular,
the Aged Care Sector Road Map, which
has a complete section on workforce.
And obviously LASA, ACSA and others
are looking to work with government and
other stakeholders in our industry to start
shaping up a framework for a strategy for the
workforce for the coming decade or so in
our industry. ■
Better infection control - get PPE organised today!
Tidy up your PPE with this
Australian Designed PPE unit. No
more messy tables and trolleys,
keep your PPE items organized.
Our unique door hanging unit
provides a neat and tidy solution
and is fully portable.
• D
esigned with hospital clinical
team
• F
its all standard PPE
equipment
• Wall mount or portable
• Unique door hanging option
• Top selling product in hospitals
• M
eets infection control
guidelines
• 2 Sizes available
• Less wastage
• B
etter compliance
from staff
• Easy Clean
e
or
f
e
b
after
1300 132 908 | info@sterrimatt.com
agedcareinsite.com.au 29