About 15% of aged care homes will fall short of 24/7 RN requirement: ACCPA
The peak body for aged care providers has told The SOURCE that about 80% of residential aged care homes are likely to meet the incoming 24/7 RN requirement that becomes mandatory on 1 July 2023 and 5% will be eligible for the exemption – but 15%...
The peak body for aged care providers has told The SOURCE that about 80% of residential aged care homes are likely to meet the incoming 24/7 RN requirement that becomes mandatory on 1 July 2023 and 5% will be eligible for the exemption – but 15%, or about 400 homes – are likely to be unable to comply.
“We also know there is a proportion of providers who won't be able to comply with the requirement from 1 July because of the extreme workforce shortages we are experiencing but won't be eligible for an exemption,” said Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) CEO Tom Symondson.
ACCPA would like to see the exemptions expanded to “help avoid unnecessary distress for providers in that situation,” Tom said.
FUNDING SHORTFALL
Tom is concerned that, while the 15% pay rise coming in from 1 July is fully funded, there is a “shortfall” in the funding for the Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) 5.75% increase in the Award.
“This can be easily fixed by the government seeking updated advice from IHACPA, but we desperately need that process to happen soon and are advocating strongly that it must,” Tom said.
THOUSANDS MISS OUT
Tom also noted that “many thousands” of aged care workers will not receive the 1 July 2023 pay rise.
“We are working hard to ensure those workers understand that they are valued, and their work matters to older people.
“But ultimately, we want to see a pay rise for all workers, as long as it is fully funded by the government as the current pay rise has been.”
The SOURCE: Providers’ monthly reporting from 1 July will provide a clearer picture of the nature and location of RN workforce shortages. It will be interesting to see where the shortages fall.
