By NOEL MURPHY
BARWON Health and a nurses union are embroiled in a propaganda war over cuts to aged care services at North Geelong’s McKellar Centre.
The union has used advertisements to lash Barwon Health’s use of casual nurses, introduction of personal carers, reduced shift hours and unpaid overtime.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation slammed Barwon Health for cutting 324 hours of nursing assistance.
Barwon Health argued it had been operating above agreed nurse/patient ratios and was bringing them into line with agreed arrangements.
A division nurse, who did not want to be identified, said she had “never seen nurses so unhappy at McKellar”.
“Morale is so bad. They’ve been directed not to mention to patients that rosters will be changing because it will distress them and their families.
“They’ve brought in six-hour shifts instead of eight-hour shifts and every time agency nurses work they leave the rest of us to pick up the pieces.”
Another nurse said the union had technically agreed to the new ratios but they failed to meet needs.
The arrival of Indian and African carers after six-week courses, many with poor English skills, had created difficulties at McKellar Centre, the nurse said.
“Half the staff are casual and unable to look after patients in their own language.”
Barwon Health midwifery and nursing services executive director Dr Lucy Cuddihy said the ratios would “reflect” the agreement with the union.
“These are the same ratios adhered to by all other Victorian public residential aged care services.”
Dr Cuddihy said the casual carers were qualified and predominantly worked in low-level care.
They also attended all Barwon Health-mandated training days and worked under the supervision of registered nurses.
Barwon Health worked with training organisations to keep its workforce “adequately educated and prepared for their role”, Dr Cuddihy said.
“Barwon Health uses a time and attendance system (electronic biometric scanning device) in aged care. If overtime is required to be worked, this is approved by the nurse unit manager at the time of the extra hours.
“Where overtime has been approved, this is paid as per the enterprise agreement.”
