Round-the-clock nursing key to high-quality care: OPAN

The Australian Government’s accelerated timeline for round-the-clock nursing in residential aged care, which will be mandated from 1 July 2023, is the key to high quality care — particularly for people with dementia. This is according to the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).

OPAN CEO Craig Gear OAM said, “Rapid access to the right level of clinical support is crucial. And we know health-related incidents don’t wait until the working day commences — they can happen at any time.”

24/7 nursing was one of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s key recommendations for improving the quality of residential aged care, alongside increased care minutes, which come into effect from 1 October.

Gear acknowledged the ambitious scale of the reform and the challenges round-the-clock nursing and increased average minutes of weekly care posed for aged care providers.

“The Royal Commission threw a spotlight on a broken system. There is no overnight fix.

“Data collected under the Star Ratings system has confirmed staffing levels to be lower than we would expect, and what older people require.

“And the latest figures from the Quarterly Financial Snapshot of the Aged Care sector suggest that 54% of providers are operating at a loss.

“But that also means at least 46% of providers are turning a profit, so we need to learn from them about what they are doing well.

Gear said there were a number of support measures in place for residential aged care facilities that were struggling to meet the 24/7 nursing mandate.

These included an exemption process and a 24/7RN supplement for small residential aged care homes in rural and remote areas. OPAN is pleased to participate in the Expert Advisory Group considering the alternate arrangements which must be in place for those with exemptions.

Gear also drew attention to a recent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission webinar in which Commissioner Janet Anderson said the ACQSC would not close the doors of any non-compliant service that was “trying hard and delivering safe quality care”.

“In all circumstances, our approach to regulating these responsibilities will be fair and sensible,” she said.

Gear said the 15% pay rise awarded to aged care workers by the Fair Work Commission, and funded under the recent federal Budget, would have a significant impact on workforce recruitment when it came into effect on 30 June 2023.

“What we need to do now is to get that funding in place,” he said.

“The 15% pay rise is good for aged care staff and it’s good for older people.

“Better wages are an essential ingredient in attracting and retaining quality staff, including nursing staff, into residential aged care.”

If, despite these measures, a provider was unable to deliver the reforms necessary to provide quality aged care for older people, Gear asked that they be open and honest with residents and their families.

“If they have to make some really tough business decisions, they need to do it right,” he said.

“That means giving residents and their families plenty of notice and working through the process with them.”

Image credit: iStockphoto.com/PIKSEL