Queensland aged care at risk
More than 1,800 Queensland government owned aged care places – including nearly 1,500 high care places at 20 residential facilities across Queensland – could be lost if the state government continues with its program of closing down aged care services, the Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) said on Monday.
More than 1,800 Queensland government owned aged care places – including nearly 1,500 high care places at 20 residential facilities across Queensland – could be lost if the state government continues with its program of closing down aged care services, the Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) said on Monday.
Another 59 community and ‘aged care at home places’ are at risk in Mount Isa, McKinlay, Rockhampton, Millerran and Warwick.
QNU secretary, Beth Mohle, says despite the state government trying to hide behind unelected hospital and health boards, it is clear from the budget papers it is “driving this agenda”.
“There is little doubt last week’s shock announcement by the Metro North Hospital and Health Board that 140 high care places will initially be closed at Eventide Brighton, with a loss of 120 jobs including nearly 100 nurses, is only the start of a statewide process,” Ms Mohle says.
She warns it is a major issue for many families and communities across Queensland.
“Many of these residents are amongst the most complex aged care residents being cared for in the state. There are also a lot of questions to be answered about the ongoing availability of sufficient aged care places, especially in rural and regional communities where aged care services have often been in short supply,” she says.
Ms Mohle hopes to raise the “serious issue” of closing down state aged care services as a campaigning priority.
“The QNU will not accept such legislative tyranny without a fight. We confronted the unjust WorkChoices laws and we will confront these unjust state laws as well.
“We will work closely with local communities to ensure there is greater openness about such policies and decisions. That is why we are today warning communities around the state about what could be coming.”
