Tasmanian Labor joins the Albanese government in calling on Southern Cross Care Tasmania to reconsider its plans to restructure and make redundant sections of its skilled nursing workforce.
Like our Federal colleagues, we are concerned about the decision to reclassify aged care workers such as food preparation staff so they can directly care for residents.
We also hold concerns about the decision to make enrolled nurses redundant because of claims that these roles are no longer funded by the government.
Qualified and experienced enrolled nurses and carers are vital to the aged care workforce because they provide direct care to some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
With the Labor Federal Government boosting funding for the aged care workforce across the country, there is no reason for aged care workers to lose their employment after years of dedicated service.
Our aged care workers, aged care residents and the Tasmanian community deserve better and I urge Southern Cross Care to reconsider its plans.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister
