Article from January 2022 edition of INPractice
Pollies pledge to fix a shocking tale of neglect.
Aged care is back on the national agenda with Federal Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler signing our pledge to fix aged care.
With a federal election looming, the ANMF is ensuring that the issues within aged care are front and centre in the South Australian electorate. An Advertiser/ Sunday Mail poll suggested that the state of aged care services is at the top of the issues seen as important by voters, pipped only by the health system.
“What we are saying is it’s not too much to ask for quality care for elderly South Australians; and it’s not too much to ask for the aged care workers to get decent wages and have decent working conditions,” said ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM.
The ANMF (SA Branch) have invited South Australian federal politicians across all parties to sign our aged care pledge.
The campaign is asking for support for four key actions:
1.
RN 24/7 – at least one registered nurse on site at all times
2.
Minimum mandated care hours and the right skills mix
3.
Greater transparency – funding tied to care
4.
Improved wages and conditions
So far those who have already signed our pledge are: Mark Butler, Member for Hindmarsh and Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing; Steve Georganas, Member for Adelaide; South Australian Senator Marielle Smith; Louise Miller-Frost, Labor candidate for Boothby; and former ANMF (SA Branch) President Marisa Bell, the newly endorsed Labor candidate for Mayo.
“I have campaigned as a nurse advocate for improved aged care services for nurses, carers and aged care residents for more than 20 years,” said Ms Bell.
“I know that the Labor Party deeply cares about older Australians and has committed to fixing a system that is failing them and their families.
“I am very proud of the ANMF’s achievements in improving the working lives of nurses, midwives and care workers, and contributing so much to the better health, wellbeing and safety of the community at large,’’ Ms Bell says.
Said Mr Butler of the $21 billion of tax dollars channelled into aged care annually: “I think we really need to introduce a far more thorough system of clearly having to report where the money’s going.
“And making sure it’s going where it should go, into care and the wages of the people who provide that care.’’
The ANMF has been campaigning on aged care with the It’s not too much to ask campaign that calls on the Morrison Government to provide quality care to residents and decent wage and conditions for aged care workers.
“The Aged Care Royal Commission exposed tragic stories of neglect. The Government’s failure to properly implement over half the recommendations is a national disgrace,” Ms Miller-Frost said.
“Older Australians who have worked hard all their lives deserve to be treated with dignity, and those caring for them need the resources and training to do the job they love,” added the Labor candidate for Boothby.
Mr Butler thanked the ANMF for its advocacy on aged care issues.
“It’s been extraordinary,’’ he said. “I think the challenge the Royal Commission gave to the community broadly as well as the sector has to be met and I think you (the ANMF) providing some solutions and hope and a plan for how we do deliver the care older Australians deserve is a credit to your organisation.’’
Ms Dabars thanked the politicians and candidates who have pledged their support.
“Having politicians and political candidates who understand the needs of our members to provide health care for our elderly in a dignified and respectful way is an important step in achieving aged care reform,’’ she said.
“Real change in aged care is what we will fight for in the upcoming federal election, and we are pleased to have politicians and political candidates that will support us in this.”
Click here to read the January 2022 edition of INPractice