Aged Care Insite Issue 107 | Jun-Jul 2018 | Page 7

news ‘Secret’ audit Peaks respond to media reports of union’s ‘secret’ aged care audit. By Dallas Bastian T wo peak bodies have reiterated that quality in aged care is continuously assessed, following media reports that called into question the quality of care across Queensland facilities. The comments come on the heels of a “secret audit” of the state’s facilities, released by the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU). Nurses who work for the union travelled the state to visit privately run residential aged care facilities, meet with their colleagues and report the findings. The QNMU said of the facilities audited – 70 in 30 federal Queensland electorates – 80 per cent were dangerously understaffed. Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) and Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) said the subsequent media reports focused on quality concerns in a small number of Queensland residential aged care facilities and highlighted that 10 of the state’s 445 facilities are currently responding to the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency about improving a particular aspect of their service. ACSA chief executive Pat Sparrow stressed that all residential aged care facilities, including those in Queensland, are regularly audited against the Aged Care Quality Standards and are required to address any issues identified. “Like any human service, there are isolated incidents where errors and oversights occur, and the community should be assured that the regulatory processes function to identify and remedy those,” Sparrow said. Medication Administration... Sean Rooney, chief executive of LASA, said Australia has a good aged care system and added a good system can always be better. Following the release of the QNMU report, union secretary Beth Mohle said 79 per cent of aged care staff surveyed said their facilities were dangerously understaffed. “Behind closed doors, in almost every city and town, registered nurses are being left to look after up to 200 residents at a time. While nurses and other staff are doing their best, they simply can’t meet the demand for care under those circumstances.” She added findings also revealed that unqualified staff are administering potentially life-threatening medications, and that residents are falling and not being checked, and regularly experience malnutrition and dehydration. QNMU wants to see nurse-to-resident ratios and the public reporting of staff numbers and resident outcomes for each individual facility made law. “Queensland and Australian nurses and midwives are taking this matter into their own hands and will not rest until Australian laws are introduced to protect the elderly – and those who care for them,” Mohle said. ACSA and LASA said providers ensure their facilities are resourced according to flexible staffing models that can deliver the right level of staffing, and a skills mix appropriate to regularly changing occupancy levels and the needs of residents at each individual site. The peaks added that they remain prepared to work with the government, unions and other stakeholders to ensure the community has trust and confidence in the care provided. “Ultimately, service providers, government and the wider community all share a desire for a high-performing aged care sector.”  ■ has it covered! NEW flavours and NEW thickness now available Orange Original Cherry Straw/Ban Original Sugar Free Vanilla Forte Gloup Original medication lubricant - moderately thick / level 400 Gloup Forte medication lubricant - extremely thick / level 900 Recommended by guidelines and experts. *References available upon request. email: [email protected] phone: 0409 218 996 web: www.gloup.com.au agedcareinsite.com.au 5