Shane Moran (pictured above), founder and Managing Director of the Provectus Care Group, and Catholic Healthcare Australia Chief Executive Pat Garcia (pictured above) have hit out at what they see as shortcomings in the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
Both men criticised the omission of any clear blueprint about funding the 148 recommendations to improve the aged care sector, especially with regards to new staff training requirements.
Mr Garcia told the Australian Financial Review aged care homes were already struggling to find adequately trained staff and “lifting the criteria” for entry into the sector would only intensify the issue.
“I’m simply disappointed that we are not given a clear pathway given the commissioners were divided on several key areas, including on financing,” Mr Garcia said.
Meanwhile, Mr Moran pointed out that people working in aged care already have training and qualifications.
“Part of the problem is that the awards don’t recognise that. The average turnover for workers in the industry is 20 to 30 per cent,” Mr Moran said.
Mr Moran said no clear plans had been laid out as to how some recommendations, such as staff needing a Certificate III in aged care and ongoing dementia and mental health training, would be funded.
Mr Garcia said the sector had been carrying the expectation that the Federal Government would fund any new industry standards they signed off on and couldn’t put a dollar amount on any new operating costs providers might face.
