PM backs 24/7 RNs, as deadline looms

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed his Government’s incoming 24/7 RN requirement for residential care, which takes effect in just over two months, despite concerns the new rule will mean providers make the difficult decision to close homes. Mandatory 24/7 RNs will become a requirement for aged care homes from 1 July 2023, but staff shortages, particularly in regional areas, are making it difficult for some providers to hire the appropriate staff. In the last two weeks, providers have announced several homes will close, with the impending new rules given as among the reasons. But the Prime Minister is not backing down from the 24/7 RN requirement, which was a Labor election promise, and many in the sector have also come out in support of the incoming rule.

“Putting nurses back into nursing homes is something that I’m very proud of," the Prime Minister told ABC radio this week. “Close to 90% will meet these 24/7 nursing requirements. There’ll be exemptions; around 5% of facilities have already been granted to have valid reasons for not being able to meet these targets and the Commission have said they won’t be shutting down facilities that fail to meet the targets.”