Since the federal government removed the requirement on providers to account for taxpayers' money given to them to employ nurses, the QNU has received consistent reports about nursing staffing and hours cuts and the replacement of licensed staff with unlicensed staff. The recent QNU survey of members in aged care showed that in a large number of aged care facilities nurses are being expected to be responsible for the care of large numbers of residents. Providers are disregarding the high level of responsibility that registered nurses have for the care provided to residents by increasingly seeking to relegate registered nurses to administrative and advisory roles with little time for direct resident contact. It is also interesting to note that the two main areas of concern identified by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency in relation to Queensland facilities are medication management and clinical management. While the Agency does not have detailed or specific standards about quality of nursing care, we believe that nursing staff reductions and hours cuts are being reflected in these areas.
Members consistently report excessive workloads throughout the aged care sector.
The QNU has prepared and submitted extensive affidavit material from a range of expert witnesses who will be giving evidence supporting our case. Employers in the aged care industry will be vigorously opposing our claim. The QNU has had some reports of employers seeking to convince their employees not to support the claim, however, it is important to remember that the Commission will be making a decision following extensive hearings and after receiving evidence from a number of expert witnesses. Employers have as much opportunity as the QNU to prepare and present their case before the Commission. Any member in aged care who is approached by their employer to sign a petition or letter opposing the QNU's claim should advise the QNU immediately, particularly where members feel pressured to sign.