Aged care provider backs away from massive cuts
AGED care provider Churches of Christ Care has backed down from plans to cut more than 400 nursing hours from its fortnightly roster at the Toowoomba Aged Care Service.
The Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union said after negotiations with staff and the union over the course of several weeks, only 154 hours - or 11 hours a day - would be cut from the roster.
Staff and members of the community reacted angrily to news of the proposed cuts when they were revealed by The Chronicle in late September.
Churches of Christ chief operating officer David Swain said the revised cuts amounted to “a workable solution ... with minimal impact to staff”.
“Staffing at Toowoomba Aged Care Service will continue to remain above the industry standard and registered nursing staff will be available to care for and support residents all day, every day,” Mr Swain said.
Mr Swain said Toowoomba Aged Care Service staff and management worked closely together on the issue.
QNMU regional organiser Jennifer Ballantyne reiterated the union was “not happy” with the cuts but that negotiations meant the impact on residents had been minimised.
“But I still believe they’re going to suffer one way or another. I don’t believe they can still provide quality care with that reduction in hours,” she said.
“(Churches of Christ Care) are saying they can achieve the same quality of care but I don’t think they can. Aged care facilities don’t tend to overstaff in the first place.”