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Nurses back elder abuse report
A new report highlights the ongoing crisis in aged care.
Key nursing bodies have supported the 43 recommendations from the Australian Law Reform Commission’ s recently released report, Elder Abuse – A National Legal Response.
Adjunct professor Kylie Ward, chief executive of the Australian College of Nursing, welcomed the recommendation that the Department of Health commission an independent evaluation of research on optimal staffing models and levels in aged care.
“ We reiterate that there must be a legislated minimum number of RNs in residential aged care,” Ward said.
The college said it is concerned by the trend in the makeup of the aged care workforce, which has seen a reduction in the proportion of regulated health professionals working directly at the bedside.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation acting federal secretary Annie Butler is calling for the introduction of a skills mix of 30 per cent RNs, 20 per cent ENs and 50 per cent AINs / PCWs as the minimum skills mix to ensure safe staffing in aged care.
“ Residents should receive an average of 4 hours and 18 minutes of care per day – compared to the current 2.84 hours being received,” she said.
“ Clearly, there are simply not enough staff in aged care, with one witness reporting that there was‘ one qualified nurse caring for 85 people in a nursing home on a public holiday’.”
The report’ s evidence and recommendations are a wake-up call for the government, regulators and industry stakeholders to act on the crisis in aged care.
“ One witness said:‘[ We ] tolerate a level of staffing and staff mix in aged care that would close wards in the acute system. Despite years of discussion and criticism it is still possible to work with extremely vulnerable older people while having no relevant qualification. This should be an outrage’.” ■
ACON launches inclusivity program
The program is open to organisations working in health and wellbeing and focuses on LGBTI-inclusive service provision.
The healthcare sector now has access to a national membership-based program that provides partners with year-round support, training and guidance in LGBTIinclusive service delivery.
ACON, Australia’ s largest non-profit LGBTI health and HIV / AIDS organisation, launched Pride in Health + Wellbeing on 10 August. The program focuses on LGBTI-inclusive service provision, national benchmarking, communities of practice, resource development and best practice discussion forums. When LGBTI individuals require access to health services, they often hit more roadblocks than their non-LGBTI peers and therefore experience poorer health and wellbeing outcomes, ACON said. It added that many do not access services due to actual or perceived discrimination, exclusion or prejudice.
Pride in Health + Wellbeing membership allows organisations to access sector-specific support, resources, networking opportunities, training, consulting and advice via an account manager and interaction with other health and wellbeing sector organisations active in LGBTI-inclusive service provision.
Membership is open to any organisation working in the sectors of health and wellbeing, including hospitals, aged care, government departments, GPs, and housing, mental health, drug and alcohol, family and domestic violence and disability services. Several organisations have already signed up to the program, including Lifeline, Medibank, Uniting, Flourish, Reliant Healthcare, ViiV Healthcare, NurseWatch and Murrumbidgee PHN.
Peter Worland, executive director of Uniting, which hosted the launch, said the organisation is proud to stand with LGBTI communities, including its customers, staff and visitors, and actively celebrate difference.
“ Each of our services, from aged care through to chaplaincy, is backed by an organisation-wide commitment to inclusion and diversity. We welcome all people irrespective of sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity or intersex status.”
Kate Spurway, chief executive and founder of home care provider NurseWatch, said the Pride in Health + Wellbeing program’ s core objectives align with its services.
“ At NurseWatch, we value LGBTI clients and provide customised care that respects the individual and their right to determine their own continuum of care journey.” ■
6 agedcareinsite. com. au