With an estimated shortage of 12,000 Registered Nurses in the sector, aged care CEOs who originally trained as RNs are filling shifts themselves to meet the mandatory 24/7 RN requirements.
Chaffey Aged Care’s Chief Executive Darren Midgley, an RN with 30 years’ experience, recently told The Herald Sun he is often forced to work “on the floor” because it’s too expensive to employ agency RNs to meet targets.
Aged Care and Community Providers Association (ACCPA) Chief Executive Officer Tom Symondson told The SOURCE suitably qualified CEOs have always worked ‘on the floor’ when staff weren't available, but the problem has become “more acute” since the introduction of mandatory 24/7 RNs.
The problem most often occurs outside the major metropolitan areas and are “often a result of staff calling in sick, where there’s no scope for alternate staff, including agency nurses,” Tom said.
ACCPA is advocating for the Government to use monthly reporting data to understand where and why workforce shortages are occurring, and to develop targeted programs and support to address the issue.
“We need to make sure we have the right levers and supports in place, so more RNs can progress through the education system into aged care, and also so providers can rapidly bring more RNs into Australia,” Tom said.
Housing is also a key issue for regional providers, and Federal and State Governments should have housing programs for aged care workers in the regions, Tom said.
The exemption criteria for residential aged care providers who “through no fault of their own” can’t meet the 24/7 RN requirements should also be reviewed, Tom said.
The SOURCE: We are hearing that recruitment of aged care workers is improving, but there are still dire shortages, particularly of RNs, in the regions.