Southern Cross Care Tasmania has unveiled sweeping reforms in response to the Royal Commission, the Federal Government’s aged care changes, and resident feedback.
CEO Robyn Boyd (above) announced the rollout of the provider’s new “Household Model” at its nine aged care facilities over the next few months, including flexible routines to “mirror a homelike environment”; expansion of gyms and wellness centres; and qualified chefs in each facility.
“As the largest Not For Profit aged care provider in the State, we will lead this change that is being demanded by the community for aged care residents, and we are taking that challenge head on.
“We will need goodwill, patience and understanding from all stakeholders as we transition to this new model, that puts the aged care resident front and centre of all that we do,” she said.
SCC Tasmania will use independent assessors to determine each resident’s care needs, with carers to work in “households” across each residential care facility.
According to Robyn, roles and responsibilities are set to change for enrolled nurses, leisure and lifestyle officers and servery staff; around 175 employees, or 14% of the workforce, will be impacted.
“Some will continue on as carers continuing to perform as usual. Some may not want to do that, so we will offer other roles in the organisation where we are expanding our operations such as wellness centres and case managers for home and community services. Voluntary redundancies will also be offered,” she said.
Tasmania’s Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) has come out swinging at the changes, lambasting SCC for not consulting or alerting workers beforehand.
HACSU Industrial Manager Robbie Moore (pictured) told the ABC that jobs and care quality are both at risk.
“Staff are absolutely shocked by today’s announcement, the fact that it has come from nowhere (and) they have not been consulted and talked to in any way.
“They are trying to spin this that it will be better for residents. It will be diabolical for residents and they need to back down.
“We have specialised roles in aged care, whether you’re a carer, you work in food services or you’re an enrolled nurse – these are vital roles that make part of a team and this puts all of this at risk,” he said.
The Royal Commission in 2019 claimed the scalp of former SCC Tasmania CEO Richard Sadek, who stepped down following scrutiny of the Glenara Lakes and Yaraandoo homes.
