Like so many others in aged care, Viv Allanson says it is going to be “impossible” for her facility to meet key government deadlines for new standards in the sector, saying “the pressure is absolutely enormous”.
Ms Allanson runs Maroba Aged Care in the New South Wales city of Newcastle, which is scrambling to recruit enough registered nurses to staff the facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“They’re just impossible to get,” she said.
“Our facility has been advertising since last May and we’re still finding we can’t fill the positions.”
Aged and Community Care Providers Association CEO Tom Symondson said providers were “very concerned” about meeting the “incredibly challenging” deadline for the new rules, pointing to a worldwide worker shortage.
“I’d love to think that … by the deadline in July and also in October … that we could have every single worker that we needed,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s realistic to say that we will. I just don’t think that’s likely.
“It’s a very stressful time for us in the aged care sector.”