10 February 2022
In the past few years shocking stories of neglect and hundreds of avoidable deaths have hammered the aged care sector. Despite the damning findings and subsequent recommendations of the Royal Commission the situation only grows more and more dire … exacerbated by the inaction of the Morrison Government who seem to specialise in the art of doing far too little, far too late.
With aged care on the ropes, the marginal South Australian seat of Boothby, a constituency with one of the oldest demographics in the country, is shaping up as a key battleground to the outcome of the looming federal election - and consequently the future of the aged care sector in this country.
This election, every federal politician must make aged care an election priority and commit to delivering a system that respects staff and residents and keeps them safe.
On Wednesday, February 23, the ANMF (SA Branch) is hosting an online aged care forum, Fix Aged Care – It’s Now or Never, featuring a distinguished panel of speakers including ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler, Chief Advocate for National Seniors Australia Ian Henschke and University of Wollongong Professor Kathy Eagar who heads the Australian Health Services Research Institute.
Professor Eager, one of the key architects on aged care funding reforms, has since publicly criticised the Prime Minister, saying his Government “has not been interested in pursuing the real fundamental reforms that are required”.
We have also invited key political party candidates for Boothby to an open discussion in response, namely Louise Miller-Frost (ALP), Dr Rachel Swift (Liberal), Jo Dyer (Independent) and Jeremy Carter (Greens).
Hosted by ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM and moderated by media personality Jessica Adamson, the forum will shed light on the critical needs of the aged care sector and just what the political candidates and their parties are committed to do to fix it.
“Make no mistake, aged care is at crisis point,’’ Ms Dabars said. “We have heard reports of COVID positive carers being asked to work with residents, reports of widespread resignations and staffing shortages so abysmal that residents are missing out on medication, meals, even water.
“The May federal election is shaping up as a make or break moment for the aged care sector and the marginal seat of Boothby could very well decide the next Government and the fate of our elderly.
“Aged care desperately needs a major overhaul. It needs far greater staff numbers, skills mix and vastly improved wages to retain and attract nurses and carers, before the workforce numbers crash catastrophically short, leaving the needs of the vulnerable elderly simply unable to be met.
“We owe it to our mothers and fathers, to our grandparents. We owe it to every single elderly human being who deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in their twilight years.
“We invite all members, particularly those living and working in Boothby, to attend our online forum.’’
Fix Aged Care – It’s Now or Never
When: Wednesday 23 February 2022
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Online/virtual
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE