Staffing levels getting worse

[linda_m]

It takes a report to confirm what forum-writers have been saying for months and years on this site - staff ratios are getting worse and there is, in fact, an aged care crisis. http://www.theage.com.au/national/aged- ... -jywn.html

The surveys, by Melbourne University, found that in 2007, ratios ranged between one to six and one to 39, at worst, at Victorian facilities. This year, the ratios ranged between one to nine and one to 47.

Marvellous isn't it? We are getting worse at looking after people who need care - not better?

[industrystandard]

In 1996, there were 1.07 employees per operational residential place, by 2000 this had declined to 1.02 employees. This could be explained by a number of factors, including outsourcing, reduction in the numbers of smaller facilities and so on.

From: http://www.nhwt.gov.au/olderpeople.asp (page 13)

It "could" also be explained by the introduction of the Aged Care Act in 1997...........