The number of doctors visiting aged care homes has already dropped by more than 13 per cent between 2015 and 2017 – despite doctors making more visits and spending more time with residents in the same time.
Now a new survey of over 600 Australian Medical Association members – including GPs, physicians and other specialists – has revealed why, doctors blaming an increasing amount of unpaid work, inadequate patient rebates and a lack of experienced and trained nurses.
It’s a situation that may only get worse. The GP Aged Care Access Incentive (ACAI) payment is due to end in April next year, removing extra benefits for visiting GPs, while almost half of all doctors visiting facilities are aged 61 and older and heading for retirement age.
The AMA wants the Government to ensure doctors are adequately compensated for spending time away from their surgery and mandate the ratio of registered nurses in aged care – currently there is no requirement for staff-to-resident ratios in the legislation.
The AMA President Tony Bartone says many doctors report that there is sometimes no nurse available for doctors to carry out a clinical handover, and no nurse available to administer medicines after hours.
More funding the key to better care
Will more nurses help to provide better care to residents? Likely, yes, especially on weekends and night shifts.
But as we discussed here, most aged care homes don’t have the funding to employ more experienced staff.
If we want more nurses, then the Government has to make funding an urgent priority.
The fact is we are all entitled to medical care when we need it – and with many residents having complex and chronic conditions, it’s even more important.
We also know that providing health services to residents can cut down on unnecessary hospital admissions – saving taxpayer money and the stress of a hospital visit for residents and their families.
Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt is currently considering the AMA’s concerns as part of a recent report from the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce – we hope it is the wake-up call he needs.
