Aged care at risk with too few beds and staff

as posted on TheWest

The staff shortage gripping aged care in WA is set to worsen because of a lack of government funding, putting residents at risk of injury, according to industry leaders.

And with up to 60 per cent of nursing homes operating at a loss, the shortage of beds in the industry will continue, with waiting lists likely to grow.

Investigations by The West Australian have revealed that staff shortages are forcing some nursing homes to operate with one carer for up to 50 residents.

There are no government staffing limits for the industry.

Chief executive of Amaroo Village nursing home in Gosnells, David Fenwick, said yesterday he had closed beds and refused to take more patients in the past to ensure staff ratios were maintained for the safety of residents and to ensure staff were not overworked. “Families are not fully aware of the staffing shortages in the industry,” he said.

Mr Fenwick said there were serious implications from even one employee becoming sick.

“If you can’t get short-term agency staff to fill the gap, you are operating short-staffed and that puts residents at some risk,” he said.

Amaroo employs a dedicated roster manager to ensure that shortages are kept to a minimum.

Chief executive of Aged and Community Services WA, Stephen Kobelke, said a survey of the industry last year by consultants Grant Thornton revealed about 40 per cent of the nation’s nursing homes were losing money. Mr Kobelke said the figure was closer to 60 per cent now, meaning that without more funding from government the pressures on the industry would increase.

Mr Fenwick said the Federal Government relied on the goodwill of charities — which operate 65 per cent of Australia’s nursing homes — and carers who did the job for love not money. “We have a shortage of 2000 nursing home beds in WA and it will only get worse; we have a waiting list of 150,” he said.

“There are fewer providers willing to take the risk and build rooms because there is little incentive and little ability to make money, especially as the costs of building and running a facility are rising.”

Mr Fenwick said the industry was relying on people with “passion” to do the job as carer wages struggled to compete with pay in fast-food restaurants.

Carers Kate O’Dowd, Jane Robins and Milica Stojkovic at the Amaroo Village McMahon Caring Centre said despite the challenges they loved their jobs because it gave them a chance to “make a difference”.

“One smile on a person’s face is worth it,” Ms O’Dowd said.

They all wanted more funding for the industry, telling of chronic shortages in basic equipment, such as shower chairs and walking frames.

PETER KERR


as posted on TheWest