More Job Cuts for Stockton Centre Workers

BY MEGHAN RICHARDSON

More job cuts have been announced for almost 500 employees who are currently working at the Stockton, Tomaree and Kanangra disability centres.

The closure of these disability centres was announced in 2015 and initial reports noted that 126 nursing jobs would be terminated as the centres prepare to close down in 2020.

 The number, however, has ballooned to include another 350 positions like doctors, kitchen hands, disability support workers and many more.

There are significant concerns that the job cuts will have a substantial effect on the 300 residents within the Stockton, Tomaree and Kanangra disability centres.

These 300 residents are being moved to 88 separate group homes next year and there are worries the job cuts will affect the move.

The NSW Labor government is appealing to the Berejiklian government to reconsider the huge cuts.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter and Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington says these staff cuts will cause unnecessary upset.

"The closure of these disability centres has already caused a lot of stress for residents, families and staff." says Miss Washington.

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp has also condemned the job cuts.

"I hoped Minister Ward would bring a fresh approach to disability issues, but instead he is delivering the same old Liberal agenda of cutting jobs and services," Mr Crakanthorp says.

This new job cut announcement is inconsistent with what the Liberal Party promised in March 2014 when the Minister for Disability Service, John Ajaka, told parliament:

“To address concerns held by some staff, I have met with representatives from the Stockland branches of the NSW Nurses Association and Public Service Association and I reiterate that this Government will provide continuing employment for all those who want it.”

These extra job cuts have angered staff and union members who are now unsure of their future.

The nurses’ unions, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association and the Public Service association, will be holding meetings shortly to measure the feelings and gauge the upset staff are feeling.

They say they are currently considering their options but feel the future is ‘bleak’.  

The job cuts are rumoured to be caused by financial pressure of the NDIS, which initially promised more employment for disability workers when it was first introduced.

Image: ABC

The tragic turn of events at a group home continue

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Public Service Association say their warning to the government to not move residents out of the Stockton Centre went unnoticed and now residents, carers and workers are paying the price.

It's been a tragic turn of events with two tragic deaths and two other resident hospitalisations from the same centre after moving into the new group home in Stockton, and now a fifth former resident has been hospitalised.

Hunter Public Service Association organiser Paul James can't believe the situation continues to happen at the group home where residents should be getting the best possible care.

"What's occurred is because of the rush people have lost out and possibly there have been gaps created. We know Sydney orchestrated the move for the clients and possibly some of those clients shouldn't have been moved out in the first place."

Now the concern is that the government won't fix the problem, and Paul James certainly believes even if they do something it won't be anytime soon.

"I don't honestly think that they care about the clients but they see this as a process and my understanding is when the NDIS initially arrived they saw this as a golden goose in terms of making and saving money."

Image abc.net.au

Stockton Centre death taken to parliament

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp has taken the death of one Stockton Centre resident and the hospitalisation of another to parliament overnight. 

He's calling on Disability Services Minister Ray Williams to explain how the terrible incidences could have possibly occurred not long after the two women moved into the group home.

The former Stockton Centre resident died reportedly suffering dehydration and the other disabled woman suffered serious health complications after moving into the home.

"I'm calling for the investigation to occur and for the government to stick to their commitment to have the same quality of care in both places," said Tim Crakanthorp.

"My greatest concern is that the same level of care that was occurring at the Stockton Centre isn't occurring at group homes which is a commitment that the government gave, so I'm going to be meeting with the minister [Ray Williams] to take this up with him."