Aged Care in Crisis
3 comments
A large number of concerned residents attended the Barwo Homestead crisis meeting , Wednesday 22nd February at the Nathalia Recreation Reserve hall.
Federal MP Sam Birrell member for Nicholls opened the meeting welcoming everyone in attendance and briefly describing the current national workforce shortage, and plans for a new training centre for Shepparton.
Bill Baxter spoke briefly of the 30 year history of Barwo Homestead and his involvement on the fundraising committee to get the project off the ground, Bill is very proud of the great level of care at Barwo and spoke of his uncle Jack Lindsay who moved to Barwo Homestead with a life expectancy of only six months, but lived there for twenty three years. According to Bill the Royal Commission on Aged Care Quality and Safety, is a one size fits all and certainly does not suit rural and remote communities such as Nathalia, he thinks we would need a pool of 30 registered nurses to fulfil the requirements. He also thinks the star rating system does not truly reflect the quality of care as Barwo only received a 3 star rating.
The Aging in place policy puts a strong emphasis on aging in the home, and aged care facilities need to be a final place, meaning that Barwo would need to provide low to high care.
Anne Trickey President of the Barwo Board, explained how Barwo Homestead is a community owned facility run by a board of volunteers and it is in a sound financial position, they are actively exploring all options to adapt, and are here to share the issues with the community.
Lynda Walker, Administrator has had a great response from the community with many applications for volunteer and paid employment both part time and full time. At the moment there are only two registered nurses, one being herself and William who works part time. She is hoping that an exemption from having a full time RN would be granted for facilities with less than 30 beds. To provide high care, rooms would need to be upgraded to provide tracking, lifting equipment and an ensuite. A lot of facilities are facing the same issue.
Veronica Jamison is the CEO of Shepparton Villages which has four facilities, 286 beds and five hundred staff. She spoke about their community owned facility having similar issues and believed they would need 27 registered nurses to fulfil Government requirements.
Veronica spoke not only of the current difficulties, but a large number of further changes starting in 2024.
The “Aging in place” would mean that low care facilities would be phased out.
According to Govt. data The Moira LGA and Nathalia are over bedded, Nathalia currently has forty beds split evenly between Barwo and Banawah. Only eight beds would be needed per one thousand people.
Attendees were then given the opportunity to ask questions.
3 comments
Ron Henney — 09:30 AM
This is quite disturbing but not surprising Barwo was one of the only age care facilities i would have considered. This is sad for all concerned and not just the immediate but the future requirements of locals alike Governments love to throw the word care about but have zero idea of what it actually means and more so in small country communities
Madeleine Jane — 09:46 AM
Could you please verify the figures. If Shepp needs 27 RNs, why does Barwo need 30 RNs. The government saying that beds needed per head of population doesn’t take into account that our town has an older population compared with the Australian average.
Bev Penney — 09:46 AM
So sad that because we are a small town, (and how many thousands throughout Victoria) will only be allowed a few beds. This will mean that locals will have to go to Shepp, Cobram, Echuca or even Melbourne for care. I still have my house in Nathalia, but I live in Melbourne, or I would be on your volunteer list. Good Luck with it all, and I hope the higher powers can be persuaded that one size does not fit all. If there is anything I can do from here please let me know. Emails etc.