Morrison Government must clarify single-site employment confusion
ANMF has written to Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt seeking urgent advice about the continuation of single-site employment for Victorian private aged care nurses and personal care workers.
Despite no Federal Government announcement, ANMF is receiving inquiries from members whose secondary employers are telling them that single-site employment has ended and they must return to work. Other members are being told by employers that single-site employment has not ended.
Community transmission remains high in Victoria. On 16 November 2021 there were 14,131 active COVID cases, including 797 new cases. On 12 November 2021 there were 404 aged care resident cases, including 35 deaths, and 119 COVID-19 positive aged care staff. (Source: Federal Department of Health bit.ly/3wP1m)
ANMF has highlighted the confusion to Minister Hunt and requested he confirm the status of single-site employment. If the arrangements are to continue, then the Federal Government must confirm the areas and that providers will still receive funding to ensure aged care staff are not financially disadvantaged.
Members can read ANMF’s letter to Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt via bit.ly/30qqjYX
We will update members with Minister Hunt’s response.
In the meantime, if you are working in a single-site arrangement and have been told by a secondary employer that you must return to work contact ANMF Member Assistance for advice by completing an online form via anmfvic.asn.au/memberassistance
ANMF seeks payment for rapid antigen testing and PPE donning and doffing time
In the same letter ANMF is seeking top up funding from the Morrison Government to support paid staff time for rapid antigen testing (RAT) and PPE donning and doffing which are important infection control measures in private aged care.
ANMF highlighted the common practice of private aged care employers requiring aged care nurses and personal care workers to attend work 30 minutes prior to their shift for an RAT. They are not paid for this time.
Employers are also requiring PPE donning and doffing to occur in unpaid time.
ANMF argues it is ‘unconscionable’ for an employer to require staff to arrive at work 30 minutes prior to a shift without pay. It would almost certainly be found unlawful in a Fair Work Commission decision.
Aged care understaffing and roster cuts despite royal commission
ANMF has also called on the Morrison Government to encourage and support private aged care providers to stop cutting nurses and personal care workers from the rosters which is contrary to the aged care royal commission recommendations.
ANMF highlighted that it is two years before providers are required to provide an average of 200 care minutes per resident per day. In addition, facilities will also have to have a registered nurse on site for the morning and afternoon shift. The Morrison Government has budgeted $3.9 billion over three years to increase staff, plus a $3.2 billion residential aged care funding uplift.
ANMF has questioned the impact of delaying the mandatory staffing increases on resident care in the lead up to October 2023. Residents cannot wait for two years for additional staff.
Despite the final report and recommendations of the aged care royal commission aged care providers are unbelievably still cutting nurse and carer hours. In our letter to Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt, ANMF gave the example of Royal Freemasons recently reducing its staffing to approximately 160 minutes of care per day in six of its metropolitan and regional facilities.
What if I need further advice or support from ANMF (Vic Branch)?
Contact Member Assistance via our online form: anmfvic.asn.au/memberassistance
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