Aged care services included in nurse workforce programs

The Rudd Government is expanding its Bringing Nurses Back into the Workforce Program to include community settings, community-based aged care and day surgery hospitals.

The aim is to support some of the 30,000 qualified nurses currently not working as nurses to return to the workforce.

Cash bonuses of up to $6,000 will be available to nurses and midwives who return to work in eligible hospitals, community health settings and aged care homes participating in the program.

In addition, the employers of eligible nurses will now receive a full $1,000 payment to help re-train and re-skill each nurse – whether they are full time or part time.

An extra 1,000 nurses in residential aged care homes is planned.

Community nursing is an integral component of the health care system, and building capacity in this sector is consistent with the Government’s commitment to develop a national primary health care strategy and place a greater emphasis on preventative health.

Community-based nurses work across areas including palliative care, mental health, school based services, maternal and child health and home visiting services.

Nurses also work in the aged community sector coordinating and providing packages of care to older people with complex care needs through services such as Extended Aged Care in the Home.

This commitment builds on the $1.1 billion investment in Australia’s health workforce that was announced through the recent Council of Australian Governments meeting.