General News
10 March, 2023
Aged care campaign gathers momentum
Aged care homes in the region are under growing pressure to meet new industry reforms - now a high-level campaign is under way to create an affordable model for those homes most at risk. One Wimmera facility has already announced its imminent...
Aged care homes in the region are under growing pressure to meet new industry reforms - now a high-level campaign is under way to create an affordable model for those homes most at risk.
One Wimmera facility has already announced its imminent closure - turning the lives of residents and staff upside down - and at least two more are growing increasingly nervous of the impacts of the new rules.
Local MP Anne Webster has pledged to carry the torch for those most vulnerable residents in rural communities.
Dr Webster, Member for Mallee and Australia’s Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health, is calling for the government to review its aged care reforms.
Most have been introduced as a result of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care, but Dr Webster argues the aged care sector needs to be seen through a regional lens - and the "cookie cutter" approach to legislation should not apply to smaller regional centres.
“Healthcare is something I’m incredibly passionate about," Dr Webster said.
“As we experience across Mallee, there are significant barriers to accessing timely and affordable healthcare."
Dimboola’s Allambi Elderly Peoples Home was forced to close this year due to becoming unviable under the new registered nurse and care minutes policy settings.
Meanwhile, the chief executives of Minyip’s Dunmunkle Lodge and Donald’s Johnson-Goodwin Memorial Homes have raised their concerns with Dr Webster about the ongoing operation of their 38-bed facilities.
"We are not against the Registered Nurse requirements,” Peter Ballagh, CEO of Minyip’s Dunmunkle Lodge, said.
“We just want some common sense with the implementation and time frames for smaller providers.
"I have been on webinars with fellow providers and there are a lot of people in the same boat.”
Anthony Hogan, of Donald’s Johnson-Goodwin Memorial Homes, said his facility also was attempting to meet the RN requirements, which take effect on July 1.
“But as we know in all walks of life, smaller areas have to be treated differently according to those (thin workforce) factors,” he said.
Dr Webster said Dunmunkle Lodge and Johnson-Goodwin Homes were among nine regional providers across Victoria, including another larger Mallee provider, who are calling for alternative models of care.
“For example, Dunmunkle use a RN on call to support Enrolled Nurses and PCAs who are in charge when that RN can’t be physically on-site,” she said.
“Johnson-Goodwin Homes is similar in that they have the RNs on call when one can’t be on-site - and bear in mind these RNs are living in the town so they are very close at hand if they are needed.
“These duties are primarily carried out on weekdays, with the nurses operating on-call outside of that.
“They live five minutes away if needed, and this is a system that has worked very well in these facilities for years.
“Why should a system that works and keeps local people in care in their own town be closed down because of bureaucratic and inflexible red tape?”
Dr Webster has been in contact with Federal Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells on behalf of the Donald and Minyip facilities, relaying their concerns and calling for action.
“If smaller aged care centres are still providing excellent care for residents in their own town, then we need to look at ways to ensure that can remain the case," she said.
“Closing facilities down and relocating residents is not the answer.
"It is not the answer for the resident. It is not the answer for the families and friends of that resident, and it is not the answer for all the staff from that small town who provide that care.”