Insist on registered nurses 24/7 in aged care!

Recent changes to the federal Aged Care Act could have a knock-on effect on NSW legislation and remove the requirement to have registered nurses in nursing homes 24/7. Register your support for keeping registered nurses 24/7 in NSW aged care! Aged care residents and their families are entitled to receive specialised care overseen and delivered by registered nurses. Just some of the reasons RNs are essential: – Overseeing medications, including assessing side effects – Undertaking nursing procedures, including urinary catheters, naso-gastric tubes, wound care – Minimising unnecessary transfers to Emergency Departments – Providing palliative care at the nursing home – Providing support and supervision to ENs and AiNs. Currently the NSW Public Health Act requires all ‘nursing homes’ in NSW to have an RN on duty 24/7. But changes to the federal Aged Care Act in mid-2014 affected the NSW Act and could have seen the loss of this requirement. After pressure from the NSWNMA, the state government made an amendment to keep the status quo until late 2015, while they consult with stakeholders. It is vital we make our voices clearly heard during this consultation process. Insist on registered nurses 24/7 in aged care in NSW! What to do next: – Register your support for keeping registered nurses 24/7 in NSW aged care. – Download our factsheet about the Public Health Act and registered nurses. – Email the Minister for Health. – Send a letter to your local paper expressing your concern. – Sign up for campaign news via our e-newsletter. – Finally, talk to your colleagues, family, friends and local community about the essential role of registered nurses in aged care! To find out more or get involved, contact Stella Topaz (stopaz@nswnma.asn.au) or Shirley Lee (slee@nswnma.asn.au). Phone Stella or Shirley on 02 8595 1234 or 1300 367 962.

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