Provider under fire over cuts

CHURCHES of Christ Care have come under fire from Toowoomba residents, who took to social media to blast the aged care provider over proposed cuts at two of its facilities.

The Chronicle yesterday revealed the organisation’s plans to cut more than 400 nursing hours from its fortnightly roster at its Nubeena and NuMylo aged care facilities, a move that would effectively reduce staffing hours by a third.

Churches of Christ Care chief operating officer David Swain defended the proposed cuts, saying staffing levels would remain almost five per cent above industry standard and assured the public “there will be no impact on the standard of care provided to residents”.

He also laid the blame for “some minor” planned “staffing changes” on a reduction in aged care funding from the Federal Government.

Posting on social media, Sharon Rudd questioned: “How on earth can cutting staff have no impact on residents of these nursing homes? Making remaining staff work twice as hard is the obvious answer but the residents will ultimately pay the price!”

Vicki Cooling wasn’t having any of it.

“They say it will not affect the residents. What a load of crock, of course it will,” she wrote.

“Not enough staff means less adequate care and residents then become neglected.”

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union advised it was to respond to Chuches of Christ Care’s proposed cuts yesterday.