AGED care workers today launched a campaign in Lake Haven to highlight the impact they say federal budget cuts are having on their industry.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A new report from the Health Services Union, Aged Care: An Industry in Crisis surveyed 300 aged care workers across NSW.
“The survey was seeking their response to more than $3 billion worth of federal budget cuts since 2013, and the impact on jobs,” HSU NSW secretary, Gerard Hayes, said.
“In 2016, cuts to aged care took a further $1.2 billion from the sector leaving the average aged care facility worse off by more than $500,000 per year.
“The effect on staff is clear. Almost six-in-ten respondents (58 per cent) said they are not able to provide the level of care residents deserve due to budget cuts.
“Of that group, 80 per cent nominated staff shortages as the main barrier to providing effective care.”
Among the concerning remarks Mr Hayes said were made by aged care workers in the survey was this:
““[We were] told that a pad has to be a certain wetness before a new one can be put on. This is terrible. We’ve been told to turn lights out throughout the facility. Cost cutting is ongoing.”
