Face of Nationv : Australia’s aged care sector includes many good people who find themselves under too much pressure to deliver the care needed, Oakden whistle blower Stewart Johnston says.
Ahead of a community forum in Adelaide on Monday as part of the aged care royal commission, Mr Johnston said he expected to hear stories of stressful working environments across the industry. “Unfortunately, all we’ve been highlighting is the bad people out there,” he said.
“But there are a multitude of good workers out there who are not being able to deliver the care they know they need to.” The aged care royal commission was sparked in part by the abuse of dementia patients at the South Australian government-run Oakden home, which has since been closed down and described as a “shameful chapter” in the state’s history.
Representing aged care workers, United Voice Australia urged the royal commission to listen carefully to the experiences of those in nursing homes and other facilities who strive to provide the best care they can in the face of ongoing cuts.
One worker, Di, who asked not to give her surname, said staffing levels were the biggest challenge. “Our high needs dementia wards are always under the pump,” she said outside the forum.
“Many of our residents have disabilities, which means the care needs of individuals are all different and often require specialist skills. Mr Johnston said he believed the aged care sector needed to be split, with the government taking charge of looking after those with serious neurological issues and the private sector left to provide lifestyle care for those with less complex medical needs.
