ACCPA’s plan to get RNs into aged care 24/7

The Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) has proposed “common sense” amendments to the 24/7 RN legislation which it says will mean targets are achieved, while at the same time acknowledging the realities of workforce shortages. From 1 July 2023, residential aged care providers will be required to have an RN on site 24/7. But last week, the Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells acknowledged that some providers would not be able to achieve the target. ACCPA’s recommendations include the following:

• Expansion of exemption eligibility:
  • To include MM2-MM4
  • To include MM1 when the provider can demonstrate “prolonged difficulty” finding staff
  • To remove the 30-bed limit on exemptions
• Provisions made for situations such as:
  • unplanned leave at short notice,
  • emergency situations,
  • the ability to provide alternative arrangement at times of low clinical need, for example overnight and permitting ENs with off-site RN oversight
• The creation of a specific visa for skilled migrants willing to work in aged care
• Increase the pay of aged care workers to be in line with other healthcare sector workers
• Provide incentives for aged care workers to do degrees in nursing
• Provide tax incentives to encourage aged care workers to upskill, for example, provide full or partial HECS exemptions
• The Secretary of the Department of Health should be able to grant exemptions at their discretion
• A clear definition of “reasonable steps” be provided when granting exemptions in reference to trying to recruit staff

ACCPA CEO Tom Symondson said, “Eighty per cent of aged care providers already have RNs 24/7, and many more are close to achieving the target. “However, the persistent workforce shortages in aged care, made more severe by COVID, mean some providers will struggle to find enough staff by 1 July. “We want to see common sense changes to the requirement to ensure that providers who are doing everything they can to meet the target are not unnecessarily penalised, taking time and resources away from their number one priority of caring for their residents.”

You can read the ACCPA submission here.