Up to 20% reported that their employer had cut staff since the start of March, according to a national survey of 2,000 aged care staff released by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF).
You can read the full press release here.
The statement – which begins by lauding the “inspiring efforts” of aged care staff across the country to protect older Australians from the pandemic – says the survey – conducted from 15 April to 6 May and covering 1,980 registered and enrolled nurses, personal care workers and ancillary staff from For Profit, Not For Profit and government-run providers also found:
- 19% working in For Profit, 17% in Not For Profit and 13% in government-run aged care facilities reported staff cuts since the beginning of March;
- 77% of respondents reported their employers had recently updated or implemented infection control procedures for staff;
- Less than 40% said their aged care facility was prepared for a COVID-19 outbreak;
- Less than 30% said their aged care facility had enough supplies of PPE;
- 53% said they were willing to work more shifts at their aged care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic (which suggests half are not).
ANMF Federal Secretary, Annie Butler says the results reflect the chronic understaffing and widespread lack of skills in the sector.
“A concerning element of these results is the reports that staffing has not been increased and, in some cases, has actually been reduced since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia, across the aged care sector, despite a majority of workers reporting that they would be willing to work additional hours to help out during the pandemic,” she said.
Is it a surprise though that some operators may have reduced staff during the pandemic?
Staff costs have historically made up 70% of providers’ costs.
Given 56% of operators in the red according to StewartBrown – and many are incurring extra costs – there is no ‘fat to trim’ – except in direct care.
