The Australian Government has been made aware of plans by Southern Cross Care in Tasmania to restructure and make redundant sections of its skilled nursing workforce. We are also aware that other providers are considering similar restructures to the detriment of their workers, and potentially impacting the quality of care for older Australians.
The Government is very concerned about these actions at Southern Cross Care Tasmania in reclassifying workers, such as food preparation staff, to also directly care for residents.
We are also highly concerned that Southern Cross Care are making enrolled nurses redundant because of incorrect claims these roles are no longer funded by the Government.
Qualified and experienced enrolled nurses are a critical component of the aged care workforce as are those carers who provide direct care to some of the most vulnerable in Australia.
These are decisions of Southern Cross Tasmania – not the Government.
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