AGED CARE CUTS HURT MARGINAL ELECTORATES – NEW RESEARCH REVEALS

As the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s (ANMF) national phone-in on aged care starts today (Saturday 18 June), its new research has revealed the full extent of devastating cuts to aged care funding in key, marginal electorates across the country.

According to the ANMF, $1.8 billion axed from aged care over the next four year by the Turnbull Government in the 2016-17 Budget and the MYEFO, continues to compromise the delivery of high-quality care to nursing homes residents, with funding for some frail residents with high-care needs, slashed from $46 a day per resident, to just $16 per resident.

“This massive funding shortfall in aged care is hurting nurses and assistants in nursing (AIN), by making it harder and harder for them to provide quality care to their patients. As we’ve been saying, their hands are tied,” said ANMF Federal Secretary, Lee Thomas.

“The Government’s significant changes to the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI), which is used to assess the base-line level of public funding for the care of individual nursing home residents, means it’s the most vulnerable patients, with developing high-care needs, who are most at risk.

“We’re sure that families across the country will be horrified to learn that in their particular electorates, the care of their Mums and Dads and Grandparents is now being negatively impacted by these funding cuts.”

Specific aged care funding cuts to key marginal electorates include: NSW – Dobell: ($21.1 million); Barton: ($19.6 million); Gilmore: ($17 million); Reid: ($16.3 million); Lindsay: ($8.9 million). VICTORIA – Deakin: ($16 million); Dunkley: ($12.5 million); La Trobe: ($7.8 million). QUEENSLAND – Petrie: ($14.6 million); Dawson: ($13.2 million); Forde: ($9.3 million). SA – Hindmarsh: ($18.7 million). WA – Swan: ($21.1 million); Cowan ($7 million); Burt ($4.8 million). TASMANIA – Bass ($10 million); Braddon ($9 million); Lyons ($6.1 million). NT – Solomon ($:3.3 million).

Ms Thomas said today’s ANMF national phone-in is aimed at putting aged care at the front and centre of the upcoming election – for the sake of all elderly Australians and their families.

“Our message is, if people care about aged care, then please call us,” she said.

“Frontline nurses and AINs can use it as an opportunity to tell us how these funding cuts at their workplace are impacting on their ability to do their jobs for vulnerable residents. The community is also invited to phone us and the children, grandchildren and other relatives of older Australians living in nursing homes can also raise any issues they have, or they can simply tell us their story, we’re listening.”

The national phone-in will take place across Australia from 10am-3pm, with callers from the entire Australian community being asked a series of questions about their experiences and views on aged care.

People can also complete an online survey by going to www.icareandivote.com.au

The phone-in numbers are:

NSW and ACT: 02 8595 1279
Victoria and NT: 03 9275 9333

WA and SA: 1300 972 315
Qld: 07 3840 1444, Qld: (Toll free) 1800 177 273
TAS (Hobart): 03 6223 6777, Outside Hobart: 1800 001 241
State Branch Secretary, Mrs Neroli Ellis