Many of our most frail and vulnerable older people live in aged care homes. Currently these homes are not required to disclose their rosters/staffing levels. How can people make informed decisions about their standards of care when they do not have access to this information?
Federal MP Rebekha Sharkie‘s private members Bill is an important first step to identify good homes. Those with high numbers of well trained staff have nothing to fear from this legislation. It is only unscrupulous providers – who value profits over care – who will lobby to have this Bill rejected. Their claim that sharing data about staffing levels will be further work for providers is nonsense
Government and financial agencies collect data on staffing levels. The public needs access to this information. It will provide certainty about the number of staff, including registered nurses, on each shift.
First published as a letter to The Age on 6 September 2018
