Most nursing homes did little or nothing to prepare for COVID-19 despite its well-publicised danger to residents
A majority of nursing homes had no increase in care staff to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak – and some even suffered staff cuts, a nationwide survey revealed.
The survey was done by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) from 15 April to 6 May.
A total of 1980 registered and enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing/personal care workers and ancillary staff from for-profit, not-for-profit and government aged care providers, took part.
Eighty per cent of facilities reported no increase in care staff to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak.
Worse, 19 per cent of survey respondents working in for-profit, 17 per cent in not-for-profit and 13 per cent in government-run facilities reported staff cuts since the beginning of March.
Fewer than 40 per cent said their facility was prepared for a COVID-19 outbreak and fewer than 30 per cent said they had enough personal protective equipment.
Fifty three per cent said they were willing to work more shifts during the pandemic.
ANMF Federal Secretary, Annie Butler, said the federal government had given providers considerable financial assistance since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia.
She said the ANMF was concerned that staffing had not been increased and, in some cases, had actually been reduced since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak “despite a majority of workers reporting that they would be willing to work additional hours to help out during the pandemic”.
“Aged care workers are reporting significant levels of stress, pressure and a lack of support as the sector grapples to combat COVID-19.”