Elderly couple forced apart due to COVID-19 reunite for birthday celebrations
Elderly couple forced apart due to COVID-19 reunite for birthday celebrations
ANMF’s Aged Care COVID-19 Survey reveals no boost to staffing levels in aged care facilities during pandemic
Up to 80% of nursing staff working in aged care have reported no increases in care staff at their facility to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak, according to a survey conducted by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Additionally, the Aged Care COVID-19 Survey showed staff cuts since the beginning of March (19% working in […]
ANMF calls for funding boost to address chronic understaffing and the ongoing shortages of PPE in aged care
ANMF calls for funding boost be address chronic understaffing and the ongoing shortages of PPE in aged care
COVID-19 aged care restrictions must include steps to reduce harm and maintain wellbeing
The potential harm caused by wide-ranging restrictions on nursing homes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including limitations on visits by family, must be countered by additional measures, such as access to video chats, to ensure vulnerable residents maintain health and quality of life, the Chair of the Aged Care Royal Commission, Tony Pagone […]
Aged Care Royal Commission suspended proceedings
The Aged Care Royal Commission has suspended proceedings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with all hearings, group consultations and workshops scheduled until at least the end of May affected by the decision. Commissioners enacted the change, which remains subject to review, after receiving public health advice from the federal government, with aged care […]
ANMF calls for immediate ban on all non-essential visits to nursing homes during COVID-19 pandemic
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has labelled new restrictions on visits to nursing homes announced today by the Federal Government “out of touch with reality”, arguing a temporary ban must be put in place on all non-essential visits immediately to protect residents during the COVID-19 global pandemic. In response to the escalating outbreak, […]
ANMF presses Aged Care Minister over COVID-19 response
ANMF Acting Federal Secretary Lori-Anne Sharp probed Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck on last night’s ABC Q+A episode over the federal government’s…
ACTU calls for two weeks paid leave for all workers forced to self-isolate due to coronavirus
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has called on the federal government to urgently legislate two weeks paid leave for all workers, including permanent, casual or part-time, forced to self-isolate as a result of the escalating coronavirus. Under the plan, workers would also be eligible for the guaranteed paid leave in the event they […]
More than half of Australian aged care facilities have ‘unacceptable’ staffing levels compared to US
Nearly 60% of Australian aged care facilities have poorer staffing levels compared to the USA’s guidelines for aged care practice, according to a researcher from the University of Wollongong. Anita Westera, Research Fellow with University of Wollongong’s Australian Health Services Research Institute, made the statement speaking on the role of staffing and skills mix in […]
ANMF calls for urgent increase in RNs working in aged care amid coronavirus outbreak
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has called for an urgent increase in the number registered nurses working in nursing homes to ensure the chronically understaffed aged care sector is fully equipped to protect vulnerable elderly residents in the event of a coronavirus outbreak. The waning that Australia’s nursing homes do not have sufficient […]