New Report Reveals Nursing Home Beds In The Hunter Are Going Unfilled

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK/ OLIVIA DILLON

A new report detailing the extent of staff shortages in Australia's aged care sector is shining a light on vacancy rates at facilities in the Hunter. 

Findings by the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) have revealed one in seven nursing home beds across the country are sitting empty. 

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says she is extremely concerned about the under-use of local facilities, such as the Wallsend Aged Care Centre.

Workers say the Local Health District has kept 68 of the 98 beds at the Wallsend facility unfilled for the past two years, despite hospitals and other services in the region running above capacity. 

"Those in the later stages of dementia, or that need constant 24-hour assistance, that's the place to be for the kind of quality of care that people need," Ms. Hornery said.

"It's still remaining open to the public and I will be lobbying and continue to lobby to ensure it is open to the public. It's a state government funded facility, which is rare in the state, but it does mean that all of the staff are under a state award."

CEDA has proposed accelerating the recruitment of migrant workers in the care economy to free up bed block in hospitals. The report says the government must also find new ways to financially support the aged-care sector.

Sonia Hornery says the well-being of aged care workers needs to be a priority, if more local services are to thrive.

"It's very important to ensure that nurses are supported, and all staff in aged-care facilities," she said.

A government spokesperson said it had responded by funding an $11.3 billion pay increase for workers.

Calls to Use Wallsend Aged Care Facility to Ease Hunter Bed Block

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Residents and MPs are calling on Hunter New England Health to explain the low occupancy rate at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility. 

It was recently revealed the facility has more than 60 per cent of its beds available, and has not taken a new resident for more than two years. 

It's estimated this means there are approximately 40 beds free. 

Wallsend state MP Sonia Hornery has expressed concern, the government plans to privatise or close the facility altogether. 

Ms Hornery said this doesn't make sense, considering the it has higher staffing ratios and better qualified staff than most federal facilities. 

"It's so important to keep the Wallsend Aged Care Facility in public hands and available for the community because the quality of care there is the best," she said. 

Hunter Health's Executive Director of Greater Metropolitan Health Services, Karen Kelly, told Newcastle Herald, the COVID-19 pandemic had led to the decrease in residents, with families hesitant to admit their loved ones following a string of outbreaks. 

However, Ms Hornery said two years on, Hunter Health could lift the occupancy rate if it wanted to. 

"My question to the government and to the Health Minister is, are people being discouraged from going to the aged care facility?"

Ms Hornery noted the bed block in Hunter hospitals, and said something needs to be done to ease the pressure on the health system. 

She suggested the Wallsend site be used as temporary accommodation for patients filling up hospitals in the region. 

"I'm calling on the government to ensure not only that the Wallsend Aged Care Facility remains open, but that the community is encouraged to use the facility for their family when it's needed," Ms Hornery said. 

"I'm calling on the government to consider using consider using this facility as respite, to free up some of the beds at the John Hunter and the Calvary Mater." 

"And I'm calling on the government to be open an transparent with the community about what's really happening at the Wallsend Aged Care Facility because there is some reason why we have so many beds vacant at this wonderful facility." 

The Wallsend Aged Care Facility has more than 60 per cent of its beds available, Hunter Health has confirmed. 

Accreditation Stripped from Newcastle Aged Care Centre

BY JARROD MELMETH

Tinonee Gardens nursing home at Waratah is set to lose access to Federal Government subsidies for residents from November 2nd.

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has revoked the home's accreditation, following allegations of substandard care.

In June, the Agency conducted an unannounced visit, which found the facility failed to meet 13 of 44 required standards.

The quality agency said the home placed residents at serious risk, despite earlier sanctions handed down in August 2017.

2NURFM has contacted Tinonee Gardens for comment. 

Meanwhile, the nearby Bethel Aged Care Facility has been given a serious risk sanction after it only met 23 of 44 benchmarks.