Charlotte Varcoe
BOANDIK Lodge chief executive Gillian McGinty this week said she was pleased that both Federal political parties have committed to providing more resources to the aged-care sector.
Last week the Federal Government handed down a Budget which includes a multi-billion dollar investment into the industry including $17.7b to improve the system, another 80,000 new home care packages, an additional $10 per resident per day to enhance the viability and sustainability of the sector and more than 33,000 new training places for personal carers.
In its Budget Reply, the Opposition made a commitment to the industry for 24-hour registered nurses on site, pay rises for aged care workers, better food for residents among other initiatives.
Speaking with The Border Watch, Ms McGinty said she was glad to have commitments from both parties with many of the commitments coming from recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Aged Care.
She said a concern in the aged care industry was a shortage of staff and the unavailability of experienced and registered nurses who would remain committed to working and staying in the industry.
“We get a lot of people who come into aged care to gain experience and then move on and go into other areas, which is fine and people learning about looking after the older generation is great, but at the moment we need some stability in our nursing staff,” Ms McGinty said.
“These days there are lots of opportunities for employment and a really low unemployment rate so people can move between jobs really easily.
“People like to try different things which is the nature of people and what they are looking for so it is difficult to retain staff for long periods of time.”
As for wage increases, Ms McGinty said staff working in aged care were on a low wage but increases were dependent on funding for the industry.
“I think the low wage is a barrier for people wanting to work in aged care; it is a job you have to commit to and that you have to be passionate about,” she said.
“You can earn just as much working in an area where you can just come to work and go home without having any of that commitment and passion.”
