New data shows that aged care homes are falling short on mandatory minutes of direct care and registered nurse targets. The revelation comes more than three years after the delivery of the Royal Commission into Aged Care’s final report.
According to COTA Australia, six out of 10 aged care homes are failing to meet those targets. The problem is a countrywide one, affecting both metropolitan and regional communities, but is particular acute in the latter.
The shortcomings were exposed last week when data for the quarter ending 30 June 2024 was highlighted. It showed targets were still not being met despite an increase in funding during the three-month period.
COTA Australia Chief Executive Patricia Sparrow said the lack of progress towards attaining mandatory minutes required immediate attention.
“Increasing the mandatory minutes of care provided to aged care residents was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care and a substantial piece of reform introduced by the Federal Government last year,” she said. “The fact that too many older people are still not getting the mandated minutes of care is a real concern.”
Aged care is not a ‘nice to have’
Ms Sparrow said: “Australians have a right to expect that if they or a loved one goes into aged care they’ll be given the attention and quality care they need and deserve. Basic direct care isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s crucial and the absolute minimum we should expect for older Australians in aged care.
Despite the disappointing numbers, Ms Sparrow said the government should be applauded for making the data public.
“It’s good to see the Federal Government making moves to address this [lack of progress]. We welcome the release of provider and service level information so that older people and their families can see how their individual home is performing.”
One aspect of the data Ms Sparrow found particularly concerning was the disparity in hours between for-profit and non-profit providers. Only 23 per cent of for-profit providers met both their registered nurse (RN) and total care minutes for the quarter. This was well below the 44 per cent of non-profit providers which reached both targets.
“We shouldn’t have a situation where aged care homes are making profits off government funding while falling short of their mandatory care targets,” Ms Sparrow said.
A minister’s ‘call to arms’
COTA Australia was not the only organisation to express concern about the poor outcomes. Aged Care Minister Anika Wells last week wrote an open letter to all aged care providers expressing her disappointment.
“Reporting also shows a significant proportion of homes are not meeting their individual targets,” she wrote. “This is disappointing given the Government’s record investment of over $15.1 billion to lift wages in aged care, consistent with the Fair Work Commission Work Value Case, to ensure aged care providers are able to employ sufficient care workers.”
Ms Wells said average care funding is now around 58 per cent higher than it was in September 2022.
As of October 1, the mandatory average increase care minutes has increased further, to 215 minutes per resident, per day. This includes at least 44 minutes of care provided by a registered nurse.
Do you have a loved one in aged care? Have you observed a significant increase in the care minutes they receive? Let us know via the comments section below.
Also read: Aged care data reveals shift to home care
Health disclaimer: This article contains general information about health issues and is not advice. For health advice, consult your medical practitioner.
