Orange MP Phil Donato will introduce legislation into state parliament next week to guarantee the availability of a registered nurse (RN) in the state’s aged care facilities.
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The requirement for a RN available for 24 hours a day in aged care was law in NSW from 1971 until 2015 when federal legislation inadvertently removed it.
Mr Donato’s Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party colleagues introduced the legislation into the upper house, and despite expected opposition, it was passed unanimously last Thursday.
Mr Donato said without a 24 hour guarantee of RNs in aged care it was “risking people’s health and welfare”.
He said with an ageing population more people were in nursing homes.
“We need the resources to provide medical attention these people deserve,” Mr Donato said.
Aged care nurse’s assistant Lyn Ware said RNs provided a vital clinical aspect to aged care.
A nurse since she was 18, Mrs Ware said years of experience didn’t replace the knowledge that RNs were trained with.
“They’re like an encyclopedia which we can rely on,” Mrs Ware said.
“I rely on my RNs, they’re the ones that have been trained and they give full and holistic care to all residents.
“It makes a difference, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve worked in aged care, you need them.”
Brigette Wilkinson, branch secretary for one Orange’s NSW Nurses Association Branches, said she was looking forward to the state’s politicians making the right decision.
Ms Wilkinson said if an aged care resident was sick, they were able to respond quickly.
“They may not be acutely unwell at the time, but there’s always a risk for illness and deterioration for these residents,” she said.
If legislation requiring registered nurses in aged care facilities for 24 hours a day passes the parliament, Ms Wilkinson said there would potentially improve job prospects for graduating nurses.
“New graduates are having a hard time getting jobs, in theory it could mean there’s opportunities for future RNs.”
Mr Donato said it was expected the legislation would be tabled in the state parliament’s lower house next Thursday.
“The fact [the government] supported it in the upper house leads us to think it will be supported in the lower house,” he said.
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
