The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) is concerned by the recommendations in the Aged Care Taskforce’s final report and is urging the federal government to critically review many of the recommendations listed. 

QNMU Secretary Sarah Beaman said that one of our key concerns is the absence of information around current worker shortages in the aged care sector and the critical need for workforce planning.  

“Since the introduction of care minutes last year, we’ve seen the erosion of employment of skilled clinicians such as Enrolled Nurses who assist Registered Nurses in delivering important care to elderly residents," Ms Beaman said.

"Stopping this erosion of skilled workforce is fundamental in addressing the worker shortages in the sector - which the report fails to address. 

“More detailed and evidenced-based information is needed on how the aged care sector – already plagued by systemic issues – is expected to meet these demands and provide the quality aged care services that all aging Australians deserve.” 

The QNMU is also calling for more honesty, transparency and accountability among aged care providers.  

As evidenced by the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care, providers managed to make significant profits despite healthcare workers in the sector being exposed to unsafe conditions, chronic worker shortages, unsafe workloads, insecure work and poor pay. 

“We need more financial accountability and transparency from providers around funding and spending,” said Ms Beaman. 

The 23 recommendations outlined by the Taskforce do not provide assurances that the money will go into care, nursing and training. 

“Many aged care providers are ‘for profit’ and we’re concerned that this money will go into provider profits, particularly after the appalling evidence that emerged during the Royal Commission into Aged Care.” 

Using the hard-earned savings, superannuation and assets of older Australians to prop up the aged care system is a red flag to the QNMU. 

“There needs to be more detail on who pays and how much, and what safety nets are in place for our most vulnerable.” 

The QNMU is worried about the lack of consideration given to the ‘user-pay’ funding approach and the potential social and gender inequities that may arise. 

“Will Australians with very little superannuation and no savings receive a different level of care to those who can contribute more to aged care services? 

“Women often retire with far less superannuation than men – so will they be disadvantaged?” 

The QNMU strongly supports the need for all Australians to have access to safer, equitable and quality aged care services. However, the report lacks important detail on how the Taskforce’s recommendations will impact healthcare workers in the sector and all aging Australians, including those with less wealth. 

With the updates to the Aged Care Act due on 1 July, the QNMU is urging the federal government to reconsider the recommendations in the report and hopes that they will participate in wider and thoughtful consultation before taking recommendations forward.