Nursing body backs aged care reforms but warns workforce plan must lead
The Australian College of Nursing has welcomed the federal government’s aged care reforms but warned the overhaul will only succeed if nursing workforce planning is placed at the forefront of every commitment.
In a National Press Club address today, Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Mark Butler outlined measures the college said mark a significant step forward, including support for an additional 5,000 beds a year and 20 new Specialist Dementia Care Program units.
The package includes $3 billion in aged care funding, with roughly $1 billion to make showering, continence management and dressing free of charge under the Support at Home program. ACN CEO Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz said nurses are at the centre of quality aged care and must be supported to maintain the best possible services.
“The commitment to supporting an additional 5,000 beds a year plus 20 new Specialist Dementia Care Program units is welcome,” she said. “Each of those beds requires nurses. We must invest strongly in workforce planning and skilling up our nursing workforce to deliver the standard of care older Australians deserve.” ACN said the funding announcements represent a significant and overdue step toward delivering dignity to older Australians.
The college also noted the government’s decision to return the Private Health Insurance rebate for over-65s to the standard rate, with savings redirected into aged care. It said public investment should be focused where it has the greatest impact — frontline services delivered by qualified professionals.
ACN called on the government to detail its nursing workforce commitments in the upcoming Budget and to engage the profession as a key partner in implementing the reforms.