Midwife Annette Alldrick criticises the inaction of governments in regards to aged care.
The problems in aged care are not the result of COVID-19. COVID-19 has simply highlighted the long-term systemic problems of understaffing, and of providers putting profits before the residents.
Whilst aged care is a federal responsibility, NSW had a unique requirement for a registered nurse to be on the premises 24/7. In 2018, the state government voted not to renew this legislation. When I asked my local Liberal MP why they chose to do this, he answered that some operators couldn’t afford to employ a registered nurse to be on duty 24/7. My answer to that is if an aged care provider can’t afford to pay a registered nurse on duty 24/7, they shouldn’t be running a facility.