Full scope: Nurses lobby politicians for greater healthcare role

Nurses working to their full scope across the health system, free from barriers that hinder the delivery of care, can make a far greater difference to access to healthcare and outcomes, a delegation of ANMF members from across the country told key politicians at Parliament House in Canberra last week. Members, including registered nurses working […]

More support for veterans living in aged care

Veterans, war widows and widowers living in residential aged care will benefit from expanded access to clinically necessary allied healthcare services and rehabilitation aids and appliances, regardless of the level of care they are receiving. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the changes, which came into effect this week, mean all eligible veterans, widows […]

Could ‘virtual nurses’ be the answer to aged care staffing woes? Dream on

Former Health Department Chief Martin Bowles has reportedly proposed “virtual nurses” could help address the shortage of nurses in aged care. This might involve remote, possibly artificial intelligence-assisted, virtual care, rather than physical nurse presence, to assist nursing homes to meet new legislative requirements to have a registered nurse present 24/7. There are clear opportunities […]

Aged care reform bill, including RN 24/7 mandate, introduced to Parliament

On the second sitting day of federal parliament, the new Labor government has introduced an historic aged care reform bill that, if passed, would legislate registered nurses on site and on duty 24/7 across all nursing homes. The Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill, crafted to “give older Australians the dignity and respect they […]

Defence force support in aged care extended amid rising COVID-19 outbreaks

The federal government is extending and expanding Australian Defence Force (ADF) support for aged care homes battling COVID-19 outbreaks until the end of September. Defence force personnel have provided clinical and non-clinical support to aged care homes experiencing COVID-19 related staff shortages since February. In response to the latest surge, which shows more than a […]

Maggie Beer – The champion for quality food in aged care

As one of Australia’s most iconic cooks, Maggie Beer is passionate about changing the wellbeing of the elderly through access to food full of flavour and nutrients. “It should be everyone’s right to have good food, and I believe that no one group of people need it more. My hope is that every meal can […]