Fulltime nursing reform welcome

Opal HealthCare supports proposed reforms to the aged care system that aim to improve sub-acute care for older Australians.

The Australian Parliament is currently debating the Implementing Care Reform Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022.

Among the measures being considered is a requirement that a Registered Nurse (RN) be on site 24-hours a day at every residential aged care community in Australia from the middle of 2023.

“Opal HealthCare strongly believes in the importance of registered nurses and the role they play in giving complex sub-acute care for those who need 24-hour support,” Opal HealthCare CEO Rachel Argaman said.

“Registered nurses are the link between doctors and non-clinical carers, and they help older Australians maintain a meaningful life.

“To reflect this belief, Opal HealthCare already has registered nurses on site on a full-time basis at our care communities.

“Nevertheless, the need for mandated standards across Australia is clear. More than a quarter of a million Australians currently live in residential aged care communities.

“That figure is expected to rise in coming years as the population ages, so it is critical that a consistent level of care is provided for those who need it most.”

About Us: Opal HealthCare is one of Australia’s leading aged care providers, with 10,000 team members looking after over 7,700 residents in 89 residential aged care communities in metro and regional New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.