Annie Butler gives evidence at Aged Care Royal Commission
ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler has given evidence to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in Adelaide on 13 February.
The focus of the introductory hearings was to provide the commission with a broad overview of the aged care sector.
Ms Butler answered questions about the importance of mandated minimum staffing levels and skills mix, and the systemic problems in the aged care sector.
‘Person centred care is at the heart of nursing’, she said, citing the lack of time for nurses and carers to attend to residents. The commission learnt experienced staff leaving the sector due to the enormous workload to meet professional obligations and employer expectations. [See Federal ANMF Secretary Annie Butler’s statement to the royal commission].
Other organisations giving evidence included COTA Australia, Dementia Australia, National Seniors Australia, Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian College of Nursing.
Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) CEO Sean Rooney appeared the following week, answering questions about lobbying attempts to downgrade new quality standards for facilities, including the removal of a requirement for air conditioning.
Members can still make submissions using an online form. Submissions can be anonymous or confidential. You can contact ANMF (Vic Branch) confidentially for urgent issues in relation to the commission.
Future hearings have been scheduled in the weeks commencing 18 March, 6 May, 13 May, 17 June, 24 June, 8 July, 15 July, 29 July, 5 August, 9 September, 8 October, 14 October, 4 November, 11 November and 9 December, with locations announced closer to the date.
Hearings are streamed online.
