Workforce shortages have dogged the Mornington Peninsula’s transition from Council home care services to new providers Bolton Clarke and mecwacare, with more than 1000 residents estimated to have been left without care.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (above) in Victoria handed over home care services to Bolton Clarke and mecwacare as of 1 July following a Commonwealth Government tender process, with residents able to choose which provider would take over their care; 110 Council aged care workers were laid off as part of the process.
As reported in The Age, 1554 residents chose Bolton Clarke and 2063 chose mecwacare; however, many residents have been left without home support services as COVID-19, combined with other factors such as low worker pay, mean staffing numbers are low.
In an opinion piece published in the South Peninsula News, Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh (pictured) defended Council’s role in the transition, which was brought about due to changes in the Federal Government’s upcoming Support at Home Program.
“We needed to ensure our residents had choice and the advantage of a competitive market environment.
“The Federal Government appointed the new providers; we did not get a say in this process.
“We sought and were given assurances by both providers and the federal government that all essential services would continue to be delivered from 1 July. Council offered to keep some staff on to help with the transition, but that offer was turned down,” said Councillor Marsh.
A spokesperson for the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care said the Government is “actively working with My Aged Care and the providers” on issues surrounding the transition.
City of Boroondara Council in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs has also reportedly experienced care shortfalls since handing over services to mecwacare on 1 August.
“Mecwacare has prioritised residents who need assistance with personal care and shopping. They are rostering their domestic assistance (cleaning) service where possible based on staff availability.
We are continuing to deliver local support services that are unique to Boroondara and to help reduce social isolation among older people, including our community transport service and social events,” Boroondara Council said in a statement.
The Support at Home Program’s implementation was recently pushed back to 2024 due to concerns about the timeline.
