In the January/February edition of Australian Ageing Agenda I wrote about the crisis in the aged care workforce due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and the urgent need for action. Now six months on the crisis is ongoing, does not show signs of abating and spans across the health and aged care systems, with significant impacts for our older citizens across all settings. We also continue to face an unprecedented number of health care workers off sick with an infection, or isolated because of being exposed as a close contact. In residential aged care the workforce is severely affected due to ongoing active outbreaks. According to the latest statistics from the Department of Health and Aged Care, from 29 July 2022, workforce surge staff have filled 122,539 shifts in aged care services impacted by COVID-19. These shifts include roles for GPs, nurses, care workers, allied health workers, executive and ancillary staff. With the number of facilities reported as actively infected, all residential aged care facilities are facing additional costs associated with provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as engaging additional expertise to enact infection prevention and control measures.
Although aged care and the well-being of our older citizens has been acknowledged as front and centre by the incoming government, in the context of an economy and society facing increasing costs, rising interest rates and skills shortages, the impact of COVID-19 seems to be just another issue to consider. However, given the massive ongoing impact of workforce shortages associated with COVID-19 across the health and aged care sectors, establishing immigration pathways for care workers and registered nurses should be at the top of their agenda. Of equal importance is initiating the promise of wage rises that are desperately needed for staff who continue to work extremely long hours.
In the longer term we need an integrated public health response that not only mitigates the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 but also ensures systems are in place to sustain workforce capability through immigration and education programs that both attract and retain health workers. Workforce strategies need to focus on staff well-being in the workplace rather than productivity measures, supported by administrative and support systems that facilitate the function of frontline clinicians. When formulating this response, public health professionals, and society as a whole need to consider the impact of policy reform on older people and their capacity to age well.
Associate Professor Marguerite Bramble
President of AAG/Chair of AAG Board
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