Aged Care Updates – Statewide

Statewide

Changes to Mandated Care Minutes Enrolled Nurses have a role in Aged Care!

The ANMF is relieved to hear the Department of Health and Aged Care has listened to the ANMF, who have been actively engaging in consultation with the Department around the roles of enrolled nurses in the aged care sector.

Following the recent Federal Government’s announcement of a $2.2 billion investment (over the next 5 years), into the aged care sector, the Department of Health announced an increase of the mandated average care minutes from Tuesday 1 October 2024.

This will see care minute responsibilities increase to an average of 215 minutes of care, per resident per day. More importantly, the Department has changed the policy to reflect that Aged Care Providers will have the option of employing enrolled nurses to replace up to 10% of the care minutes typically covered by a registered nurse.

While we acknowledge this is not the overall outcome we have been pushing for it, is a step in the right direction in recognising the enormous contribution enrolled nurses provide to resident’s care in aged care.

The ANMF will continue to work with the Department of Health and Aged Care to further cement the role of enrolled nurses.

Uniting AgeWell (UAW) Community Nurses

The ANMF will be working closely with members around recently raised concerns of workloads. Please ensure you have updated your contact details, including your employer details, so you do not miss invites to attend member meetings. Confirmation of these meetings will be issued shortly.

South

Southern Cross Care Tasmania (SCCT) Rosary Gardens

The ANMF met with SCCT management on Thursday 16 May 2024. This meeting was requested by the ANMF following concerns raised by members regarding proposed roster changes and other concerns at Rosary Gardens.

SCCT stated that the rostering changes are due to long-term inappropriate rostering, mostly of casuals, over an extended period leading to a review. SCCT stated that these changes will have no impact on contracted hours and that the over rostering has now been rectified.

Respect Aged Care Derwent Views

The ANMF attended a member meeting on Monday 27 May 2024. Several concerns were voiced by members. The ANMF will be following up on these concerns. Further updates to follow.

North

Calvary Sandhill

Calvary announced proposed roster changes at a staff meeting on Wednesday 8 May 2024. Calvary has stated this is to reflect the increase in mandatory average care minutes commencing Tuesday 1 October 2024. The ANMF wrote to the Sandhill Home manager asking how the proposed roster changes would meet the increased care minutes when reports show Calvary Sandhill have not met recent minimum target care minutes as reported on Thursday 11 April 2024 on the My Aged Care/ Star Ratings website. The ANMF has not received a response at the time of writing.

Updates are correct as of 29 May 2024.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary