Page 1143 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 3 May 2006
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
That this Assembly:
(1) recognises the valuable work of nurses in the aged care sector;
(2) notes:
(a) the lack of pay parity between aged care nurses and ACT Government nurses; and
(b) the high turnover of staff in the aged care sector;
(3) recognises that these factors have negative impacts on health and care outcomes for residents of nursing homes; and
(4) calls on the Federal Government to immediately inject funding into the aged care sector and specifically address the lack of pay parity for aged care nurses in the ACT.
Today we heard on AM on the ABC that the latest research shows that more and more pressure is going to be placed on us as a society in caring for our ageing population. Just because more of us will live longer does not necessarily mean we will all be frail and ill or a burden on society. However, the research shows that those needing care are going to be at the high end of the scale of need. This is already happening in our aged care facilities.
The care of older people should be, and for the most part is, appropriate, sensitive and dignified. But it would be naive in the extreme not to recognise the very significant issues facing the aged care sector today. The work force issue, and in particular ensuring that there are adequate numbers of nursing staff in aged care facilities, is one such issue and, of course, it is significant. The federal government has a major role to play in ensuring that nurses can be recruited and retained in the sector through appropriate remuneration and conditions.
In June 2002 the Senate Community Affairs References Committee noted the shortage of nurses in the aged care sector. The committee pointed to evidence that indicated that delivery of quality care was under threat from the retreat of qualified nurses, both registered and enrolled, from the aged care sector. The New South Wales Nurses Association made a submission to the 2002 inquiry in which it said:
The Association is of the view that the aged care sector is in dire need of increased numbers of enrolled and registered nurses if they are to reach an adequate standard of nursing care. Recipients of that care would have the opportunity to experience health gains and as a consequence, the quality of life of those residents would also improve.
Here, clearly stated, is the evidence that the standard of care and the work that enrolled and registered nurses do in aged care facilities directly affect the health and quality-of-life outcomes for residents. Of course, one would assume this to be the case—it was certainly the case with my parents. This precisely corresponds with evidence I hear from members of our community who tell me about their elderly relatives who are residents of nursing homes here in Canberra.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .