Proposed aged care cuts prompt worry for elderly

THE operator of two Toowoomba aged care services has proposed cutting more than 400 hours from its roster, according to staff members.

Workers at Nubeena and NuMylo aged care services, run by Churches of Christ Care Queensland, have spoken out after management told them at a staff meeting last week more than 400 nursing hours would be cut from the fortnightly roster.

Churches of Christ Care Queensland could not confirm the number of hours that would be cut as they are still in discussions with the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union.

The union advised it would respond to the proposal today.

According to workers, the proposed cuts mean some registered staff will lose their jobs, or have their hours reduced.

It could mean the services will effectively be operating with a third less nursing staff.

Churches of Christ Care chief operating officer David Swain said “there will be no impact on the standard of care provided to residents”.

“Staffing levels at Toowoomba Aged Care Service will, however, still be almost five per cent above the industry standard after these changes are implemented,” he said.

“We have been working closely with Toowoomba Aged Care Service staff regarding changes to nursing hours to ensure we can maintain a viable service to our residents and the Toowoomba community into the future.”

Mr Swain said “some minor staffing changes” were planned for the service, after a recent reduction in aged care funding “in real terms” from the Federal Government.

Staff claim they were “explicitly” told not to tell residents and families about the proposed cuts.

“Residents were promised the highest clinical care standards when they entered the facility, but now it’s all changing,” one staff member said on condition of anonymity.

Workers at Nubeena and NuMylo said the cuts would affect the quality of care offered to patients, potentially compromise patient safety, and described what they saw as a disconnect between management and floor staff.

Mr Swain said his organisation would never compromise on the provision of quality care to residents.