ACCPA praises reform bill passage, but questions remain around 24/7 nurses
The bill calls for RNs to be available seven days and around the clock in nursing homes. However, both Paul Sadler (pictured above), ACCPA’s Interim CEO, and independent MP Rebekha Sharkie believe the bill was passed too quickly, and that some...
The Federal Government’s Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 passed through the House of Representatives last week, but a range of amendments have left some questioning the bill’s effectiveness. The bill calls for RNs to be available seven days and around the clock in nursing homes. However, both Paul Sadler (pictured above), ACCPA’s Interim CEO, and independent MP Rebekha Sharkie believe the bill was passed too quickly, and that some amendments watered down the legislation.
“Now that Parliament is to be suspended next week due to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we would like an opportunity to examine a draft of the subordinate legislation before the bill returns to the Senate,” Paul said. “These changes are critical to the smooth operation of proposed aged care reforms. While we welcome the exemptions for providers unable to find RNs to ensure there is 24/7 coverage, we have not yet been able to see any detail to assess how their operation could affect aged care providers. “Now that there is a break before Parliament resumes, we expect to have a chance to see the detail of the subordinate legislation so that we can have some input on behalf of aged care providers.”
The ACCPA statement came at the same time it was
Annie Butler (pictured), the President of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Association, told the SMH that the lack of penalties was “completely unacceptable”.
“How meaningless is it going to be if you just unendingly don’t have to adhere to it?” Annie said.
