THERE is growing concern among Orange aged care nurses that some of their shifts could be scrapped due to lack of legislation to ensure registered nurses are rostered on to all shifts in aged care facilities.
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An Orange woman who has worked as an assistant in nursing in an aged care facility for several years said she fears the welfare of elderly and frail people who require Schedule 8 drugs, such as high level pain relief which can only be administered by a registered nurse, will be put at risk if the government doesn’t step in to legislate for ratios.
The woman, who is a member of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, did not want to be named and said it could jeopardise her employment.
“If registered nurses aren’t on shift 24/7 not only will it be placing a huge pressure on staff it will also affect residents - we are concerned,” she said.
“Like other places Orange has an aging population and it just shouldn’t happen.”
However, managing director of Opal Aged Care which runs Cherrywood, Gary Barnier said he wants to allay fears as registered nurses are employed on all shifts in facilities owned by the organisation.
“Opal Aged Care is absolutely committed to employing registered nurses on all shifts for 24 hours a day,” Mr Barnier said.
“That has been and continues to be our policy in all our facilities.
“Most Australians want to stay in their own homes for as long as they can, so by the time they come to us and need care, we see it as absolutely essential registered nurses are part of the system which cares for them.”
Mr Barnier said as all aged care beds are funded by the federal government, staff and patient ratios should not be an issue handled by the NSW State Government.
“It is the Commonwealth government which requires aged care providers to provide quality aged care so I am not sure why this has developed as a state issue,” Mr Barnier said.
The Orange woman said staff in nursing facilities and the families of residents need to be reassured about adequate care involving rostered registered nurses.
“I would urge Andrew Gee [Member for Orange] now he is moving to federal politics to take this up with the government because the state government say it isn’t their issue,” she said.
Orange’s aged care facilities and Mr Gee were contacted for a response to concerns by the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au
