IF YOU CARE ABOUT AGED CARE … CALL US

People from across Tasmania are being urged to raise their concerns about aged
care by taking part in a national phone-in being conducted by the Australian Nursing
and Midwifery Federation (ANMF).

With $1.8 billion1 axed from the aged care budget by the Turnbull Government, the
ANMF wants to hear how the funding cuts are negatively impacting the delivery of
care in nursing homes across the States and Territories.

“The ongoing cuts to ACFI (Aged Care Funding Instrument) and in the MYEFO (Mid-
Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook) prove that the Government has abandoned aged
care,” said Mrs Neroli Ellis, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary.

“These unprecedented budget cuts will see the funding for some frail residents with
high care needs in nursing homes drop from $46 a day per resident, to just $16 per
resident2. How can you possibly provide quality care for that amount of money? It
beggars belief.

“In addition to this decrease in residential care, we are concerned that proposed
funding cuts may are also affect the amount of care able to be provided to elderly
people in their homes.

“Our aged care phone-in is an opportunity for frontline nurses and assistants in
nursing (AIN) to tell us how the funding cuts are compromising their ability to do their
job and provide a high-standard of care to their residents.

“We’d also like to hear from the children, grandchildren and other relatives of older,
vulnerable Australians living in nursing homes – we need to hear about the issues
they have and the stories they want to raise. I’m sure they’ll be asking how their
Mums and Dads can be cared for on just $16 a day.”

According to research carried out by the ANMF, the aged care cuts mean that in
Tasmania alone funding will be reduced by $25.1 million over four years.

1 ANMF Estimation of impacts of 2016-7 Budget and MYEFO Cuts to Aged Care Funding in Marginal seats.

2 Relates to ACFI Domain – Complex Health Care, Question 11 Medication

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/budget/publishing.nsf/Content/budget2016-factsheet48.htm

“Currently, the sector is suffering a national shortage of 20,000 nurses,” said Mrs
Ellis. “Our members working in aged care are telling us that it’s not uncommon to
have only one Registered Nurse (RN) caring for up to 100 patients in a nursing
home.”

The national phone-in will take place across Australia on Saturday June 18 from
10am-3pm, with callers from the entire Australian community being asked a series of
questions about their experiences and views on aged care. A questionnaire can also
be completed on-line at www.anmf.org.au and www.icareandivote.com.au
“This is important information that we will analyse and present to the Government,
the Opposition and the Greens, so they understand that they must stand up for
elderly Australians and their families and make aged care an election priority,” said
Mrs Ellis.

“Australians voting on July 2 want to make sure their loved ones are getting the care
they expect and deserve. “

Throughout the phone-in, the ANMF will be providing regular updates regarding the number
of calls and the major issues of concern, through social media platforms.

Download …

Aged Care Phone In -ANMF A4 TAS ad D6[4] copy.pdf
Janine Kemp