The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has launched its new national campaign aimed at ensuring that aged care is a priority in the upcoming 2021 Budget and that the Morrison Government introduces urgently-needed laws that mandate safe, staff ratios in every nursing home, 24/7.

The ‘It’s Not Too Much’ campaign features a series of radio and TV commercials and website, asking Australians to help influence the Morrison Government to legislate staff ratios, to stop the suffering and neglect of elderly nursing home residents.

Mobile billboards will also circulate across the electorates of five of our key politicians: the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, the Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

Acting ANMF Federal Secretary, Lori-Anne Sharp, said today: “Our aged care residents and those who care for them need the Morrison Government to act. Surely, it’s not too much to ask that residents receive basic care they need and deserve, in their later years of life. But, as the Royal Commission found, older Australians living in nursing homes are suffering because of dangerously low staffing levels in many private aged care homes. And that must change.”

The ANMF’s recommendations for immediate action are:

• Mandate staffing ratios in nursing homes;
• Legislated requirements for clinical governance, leadership and expertise in aged care;
• Legislated transparency and accountability for taxpayer funding for aged care providers;
• Guaranteeing workforce capacity and capability;
• Registration for unregulated aged care workers.

“Every day the Morrison Government delays taking action to address chronic understaffing in nursing homes, is another day that residents will continue to suffer. And another day that staff, (majority of whom are women) continue to be overworked and undervalued. We must address this crisis immediately and mandate safe staffing ratios,” Ms Sharp added.

“When additional funding is allocated to aged care in the 2021 Budget in response the Royal Commission recommendations, the Morrison Government must ensure that for-profit providers are using additional taxpayer funds for its intended purposes – providing additional staff with the right skills mix so that they can deliver the care that elderly residents deserve”

To donate a little of your time and help elderly Australians living in aged care, visit www.itsnottoomuch.com

ANMF media release authorised by Lori-Anne Sharp, A/ANMF Federal Secretary. 1/365 Queen St, Melbourne. 

The ANMF, with over 300,000 members, is the industrial and professional voice for nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing in Australia.

ANMF media contact: Richard Lenarduzzi 0411 254 390