Cutting staff and services
The aged care sector warns they will be forced to cut staff and services because of steep increases in workplace safety costs. The sector’s peak representative body has received reports of operators being hit with increased WorkCover charges – up to $250,000 in the case of one operator.
The aged care sector warns they will be forced to cut staff and services because of steep increases in workplace safety costs.
The sector’s peak representative body has received reports of operators being hit with increased WorkCover charges – up to $250,000 in the case of one operator; while some smaller care centres have seen their premiums double.
Aged and Community Services SA chief executive, Alan Graham, tells the Sunday Mail operators will have to consider trimming staff numbers and reducing social activities.
“If this level of premiums continues … into the future, there will be severe question marks about the viability of certain operators. This is massive,” he says.
“That kind of activity where you get the social, emotional, physical involvement of people in facilities might be reduced in the first instance and there are other things they might look at in administration.
“If you take away lifestyle, you take away the quality of a person’s life as opposed to quality of care.”
Mr Graham adds staff cuts would impact service quality.
WorkCover manages the state compensation scheme which provides support to people injured on the job.
