A briefing from the Victorian Healthcare Association to its members has warned nurse shortages are making it difficult to meet the state’s strict aged care resident-to-staff ratios, causing beds to go unfilled.
The warning comes as figures from the Department of Health and Aged Care show a shortage of 8,100 nurses are forecast for 2023-24, as the nation prepares for 24/7 RNs at every residential aged care home and mandatory care minutes in October.
The figures show that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s pledge to have a Registered Nurse in every aged care homed 24/7 is in ruins and was fanciful to suggest.
According to reports in The Australian, the VHA has expressed concern staff ratios are preventing providers from being able to deliver services in the state’s public aged care homes.
In Victoria, one nurse is required for every seven residents on morning shifts, and eight in the afternoon. One nurse is required for every 15 residents overnight.
Providers have been unable to meet the requirements, and 1,200 five Victorian public aged care beds are empty out of a total 5,300.
In the recent state budget, the government allocated $42 million to helping public aged care homes meet nurse-to-patient ratios. Read more
The VHA is calling for the staff ratios laws to be amended.
Aged Care Minister Anika Wells told The Australian facilities would not be forced to close if they could show they have made genuine attempts to have a nurse onsite 24/7.
She said the “vast majority” would meet the 24/7 nursing requirement by 1 July and the federal government will work with those unable to meet the target.
“Come July 1 there will be many, many more nurses providing many, many more hours of care in nursing homes because of our 24/7 reforms,” she said.
Despite the minister’s assurances, 36 aged care homes have closed in the last year, many citing difficulties finding staff as one of the reasons.
