Post by Banjo on Apr 18, 2012 16:10:00 GMT 7
Overseas-trained staff risk to aged
Bringing in overseas-trained aged care workers is a “bandaid solution” for the sector, according to Australian Nursing Federation assistant national secretary, Yvonne Chaperon.
“I am not familiar with the numbers of overseas workers coming into the country, but aged care is in crisis and by topping up poor workforce numbers by introducing overseas workers is just a temporary solution,” Ms Chaperon tells DPS News.
She adds many aged care homes are employing overseas workers because they are finding it difficult to retain Australian-trained staff who can obtain more highly paid jobs in public hospitals.
“I think we need to attract and retain employees and create better working conditions for them. We also need to ensure healthcare providers have the necessary job entry knowledge skills and experience to provide safe and competent care,” she says.
Despite her concern over the growing number of overseas-trained staff in Australian aged care homes, Ms Chaperon says overseas workers can be a “great source, but sometimes we see workers being brought in because they are cheaper” and then it is likely the quality of care will be reduced.
Ms Chaperon recommends if the sector attracts overseas aged care workers, they need to have the “same or similar qualifications to ensure the Australian standard of care doesn’t drop”.
“We do see overseas workers coming in and being paid less – and they don’t get the same working conditions and that’s wrong.”
According to Ms Chaperon, the growing number of overseas trained staff in Australia can also pose a risk to the quality of care provided in aged care as many of these workers cannot speak English fluently.
“This can be risky when attempting to communicate, particularly when it comes to medication management among residents.
“Aged care workers are going where they get paid reasonable wages. It’s about $300 a week less to work in aged care than it is to work at a hospital… and that’s just not good enough anymore.”
www.agedcareguide.com.au/news.asp?newsid=7144
Bringing in overseas-trained aged care workers is a “bandaid solution” for the sector, according to Australian Nursing Federation assistant national secretary, Yvonne Chaperon.
“I am not familiar with the numbers of overseas workers coming into the country, but aged care is in crisis and by topping up poor workforce numbers by introducing overseas workers is just a temporary solution,” Ms Chaperon tells DPS News.
She adds many aged care homes are employing overseas workers because they are finding it difficult to retain Australian-trained staff who can obtain more highly paid jobs in public hospitals.
“I think we need to attract and retain employees and create better working conditions for them. We also need to ensure healthcare providers have the necessary job entry knowledge skills and experience to provide safe and competent care,” she says.
Despite her concern over the growing number of overseas-trained staff in Australian aged care homes, Ms Chaperon says overseas workers can be a “great source, but sometimes we see workers being brought in because they are cheaper” and then it is likely the quality of care will be reduced.
Ms Chaperon recommends if the sector attracts overseas aged care workers, they need to have the “same or similar qualifications to ensure the Australian standard of care doesn’t drop”.
“We do see overseas workers coming in and being paid less – and they don’t get the same working conditions and that’s wrong.”
According to Ms Chaperon, the growing number of overseas trained staff in Australia can also pose a risk to the quality of care provided in aged care as many of these workers cannot speak English fluently.
“This can be risky when attempting to communicate, particularly when it comes to medication management among residents.
“Aged care workers are going where they get paid reasonable wages. It’s about $300 a week less to work in aged care than it is to work at a hospital… and that’s just not good enough anymore.”
www.agedcareguide.com.au/news.asp?newsid=7144
