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I am deeply concerned about the current review of the NSW Public Health Act which could remove the requirement for nursing homes to have a registered nurse on duty at all times.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association is campaigning to preserve the critical roles of the registered nurse and director of nursing in NSW nursing homes, now under threat due to changes to federal aged care laws that affect state legislation.
The threat is due to the amended wording in the Commonwealth Aged Care Act 1997, effective from July 1, 2014 which affects the definitions in the NSW Public Health Act 2010 related to registered nurse staffing and the presence of a director of nursing.
After lobbying from the NSW NMA and community groups, the NSW Minister for Health enacted an interim arrangement until the end of 2015, while consulting with the aged care sector.
It is vital for quality of care that these requirements be placed permanently into NSW legislation.
Registered nurses provide skilled, clinical care to residents of NSW nursing homes with complex, high level needs.
This includes assessing and managing changes in condition, providing pain relief and palliation, minimising discomfort or distress and preventing unnecessary hospital admissions.
When admitted to hospital, older people stay longer and fare worse than other groups.
It is much more effective to provide care in the nursing home, with in-reach support when needed and to minimise admissions via emergency departments.
The roles of the registered nurse and director of nursing in nursing homes are vital to the NSW health system.
I implore everyone to ask your local member of parliament to consider the outcome of their decision when reviewing this important change of legislation.
We cannot compromise our care for the elderly.
You can email the Minister for Health Jillian Skinner office@skinner.minister.nsw.gov.au or call her office (02) 9228 5229.
Name withheld by request
Moree