With only one month to go until 24/7 RNs become a mandatory requirement, most aged care providers are prepared for the 1 July deadline – but some homes are still facing challenges recruiting enough RNs and most face staffing problems in one form or another.
We spoke to four aged care providers about the challenges they are facing ahead of the 24/7 RN deadline.
Tim Humphries, Chief Executive Officer of private Victorian provider Homestyle Aged Care Services, told The SOURCE that in their 10 Melbourne aged care homes they have always operated with 24/7 RNs, so meeting the incoming requirement won’t be a problem.
However, he said in two of their homes they are struggling to attract staff.
“We are spending up to $200,000 in a month on agency in each of these homes and over $1 million this financial year in each!
“These two [homes] have caused us a great degree of operational and financial concern,” he said.
To recruit staff, they have used Facebook videos, and they promote “the good work we do” on social media.
“The last month or two has seen an improvement in the number of applicants,” he said.
Lee Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Tanunda Lutheran Home in South Australia’s Barossa Valley, said they have always had 24/7 RN coverage, but do struggle to recruit nurses.
Whenever there are gaps in the roster, Lee, himself an RN, steps in.
RNs are currently only delivering 22 of the 40 minutes of care that will be required from 1 October 2023. Lee would need to employ another 15 RNs to meet that target.
They’ve tried “every trick in the book” to recruit more RNs, but there just aren’t enough in their area, he said. Housing is also an issue for staff.
Beds won’t close at Tanunda even if the care minute targets aren’t met, Lee predicts. The provider can demonstrate they have highly qualified ENs on staff and are doing all they can to recruit.
"I would like to think common sense may prevail,” he told The SOURCE.
Frank Price, CEO of Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution, which has 22 aged care homes in NSW and the ACT, said, “Only 40% of our RACFs have 24/7 RNs and this number drops further if there is sick leave or annual leave happening.
“We have a solid Internationally Qualified Nurse (IQN) program and expect these nurses to start their journey to being an RN soon and achieve that outcome within 18 months, certainly not by 1 July this year.
“We will not shut homes because of this requirement,” he said.
“Since 1 July 2022, we have had 12 reaccreditations with 11 of these passing without any unmets – this shows that we are providing high quality care with our current staffing model."
Chris Mamarelis, CEO of Whiddon, which operates 19 residential aged care homes in NSW and QLD, said, “Our homes are generally 24/7 RN compliant, although some of our locations will qualify for exemptions due to their remoteness.
“We have no intention of closing homes [due to the 24/7 RN requirements],” he said.
Daniel Aitchison, CEO of family owned and operated Palm Lake Care, said it is 24/7 RN compliant.
“We have been for a long time as its always been our internal policy to have an RN on site 24/7. Sometimes due to short notice sick leave this is made difficult,” he said.
“We don’t run overly remote sites, so don’t have the same significant issues that they do. It is always a challenge though.”
