Sep 08, 2020

Omission of aged care staff from retention payment is “shameful”, CEO tells minister

 

The CEO of a New South Wales retirement village has called on the federal health minister and a local MP to explain to key aged care workers – a laundry supervisor, a cleaner, a grounds manager, a caterer, a maintenance officer, and a receptionist – why they are not entitled to the Aged Care Workers Retention Bonus.

The payment designed to support the workforce actually “divides” the workforce, wrote Shane Neaves, chief executive officer, Peninsula Villages, in a letter to aged care minister Richard Colbeck and Lucy Wicks MP, Member for Robertson.

“I openly invite you Senator and our local member to address the ‘non-direct care’ workers who have risked their own personal safety to work in the aged care sector and provide important interaction with our residents as to why they aren’t being rewarded.

Mr Neaves said the omission of these key staff from the payments was “shameful” and “just plain mean”.

A letter from the Department of Health in response fails to acknowledge the important contributions of these workers.

“The COVID-19 aged care retention bonus is a measure focused on the retention of direct care workers, recognising the particular role they play in the care of individuals,” Mr Colbeck wrote.

We have published the two letters below. 

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Screen Shot 2020-09-08 at 11.30.12 am
Screen Shot 2020-09-08 at 11.30.27 am

Screen Shot 2020-09-08 at 11.30.42 am
Screen Shot 2020-09-08 at 11.33.33 am

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Where the money goes “…Healthcare for All?—[our $270B Defence budget]. Were [we] challenged by the but how will you pay for it question? No. Did taxpayers’ rates go up to pay for this military budget? No. Were other programs cut to fund this exorbitant investment in violence? No. That is not how it works….” https://americanethnologist.org/features/pandemic-diaries/post-covid-fantasies/reparative-public-goods-and-the-future-of-finance-a-fantasy-in-three-parts

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Woolworths partners with Meals on Wheels to bring free toilet paper to seniors

As panic buying continues to sweep Australia, leaving supermarket shelves bare, many elderly people are struggling to get their hands on everyday supplies. On Friday, Woolworths announced a great new initiative to get supplies to those in need. Woolworths has begun working with Meals on Wheels in New South Wales via their network of volunteers... Read More

Control of three aged care facilities assumed by Victorian Government as care workers are brought in from SA, WA and Qld

The Victorian government announced that it has assumed control of three aged care facilities in Melbourne's west as 86 new cases connected to aged care were recorded today. There are now a total of 2018 cases across the sector in residents and workers. Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed state health services have now assumed operations of the Glenlyn, Florence and Kalyna aged care centres in Melbourne’s west. Read More

4 million Australians were meant to be vaccinated against COVID-19 today: What went wrong?

In January, the PM said 4 million COVID-19 vaccines would be given by the end of March. Well, that is today – and only half a million doses have been given. How did he get it so wrong? Read More
Advertisement