The story on the front page of this morning’s The Australian is bad and good news for the aged care sector.
The bad news is that it is confirmation that operators are struggling to be viable, not only financially but operationally.
The good news is that there is now regular public discussion of the real challenges the sector is facing, and builds the community conversations on both the importance of the work done by the sector and the need for a long term (financial) solution.
The Australian led with:
“A growing number of aged-care facilities are closing due to workforce shortages, as regional providers warn they are being left in limbo waiting for exemptions under Labor’s 24/7 nursing targets.
At least two aged-care facilities have this week told residents they will shut down citing difficulties meeting the federal government’s new nursing rules introduced on July 1.
The closure of both regional Queensland facilities – Carinity Summit Cottages in Mount Morgan and Petrie Gardens Aged Care Service in Tiaro – will displace 33 elderly residents from their homes.”
This builds on our separate story today of Catholic Healthcare closing its Dubbo aged care home.
Carinity (a Baptist Not For Profit) owns 12 homes across Qld and the Churches of Christ have 28 facilities in Qld and Vic.
A cornerstone of Plan B, co-contribution of funding, is the requirement of public discussion. So The Australian’s ongoing coverage is in fact ‘good news’.
