NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members and supporters have marked the one-year anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aged Care final report with gatherings in Gosford, Nowra and Windsor, to highlight the Morrison government’s inaction.
Twelve months on, residential aged care facilities across NSW remain short staffed, COVID-19 outbreaks have resulted in avoidable deaths, and there’s been little to no improvement on wages or conditions.
NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said aged care residents, nurses and care staff deserved more and called on the government to expedite measures to address the crisis.
“With the federal election around the corner, the Morrison government can no longer hide from its responsibilities in aged care,” said Ms Candish.
“Our aged care members have had enough of the empty promises by this government, and inquiry after inquiry with little action to address the widespread concerns plaguing the sector.
“We won’t be going away and intend on doing all we can to ensure all candidates in the upcoming federal election commit to fixing aged care as a priority.”
Alongside its state and territory branches, the NSWNMA is seeking a commitment of at least one registered nurse on site at all times; greater transparency of funding tied to care, guaranteed ratios in the form of minimum mandated care hours and the right skills mix, as well as improved wages and conditions for aged care nurses.