SA’s health and care sectors in the spotlight in The Advertiser/Flinders University’s Fearless Conversations series

What needs to be done to meet aged care and health sector demands? Watch the replay of the Fearless Conversation as our panelists discuss a way forward.

The shortage of skilled workers remains one of the biggest issues facing South Australia’s health and care sectors – particularly in regional areas.

That’s the view of COTA South Australia chief executive Jane Mussared, who said securing suitably qualified staff was “one of the really big struggles” in aged care.

“Our biggest concern right now, across health and aged care, is making sure we’ve got a big enough workforce of a high enough quality right throughout South Australia,” she said.

“Unless we put a concerted effort into the workforce, what the next-generation workforce will be like and how we do a better job of retaining it, we will be in some trouble.”

She joined industry figures in our latest live Fearless Conversation with The Advertiser’s Health Reporter Brad Crouch, Wellbeing SA chief executive Lyn Dean and Professor Julie Ratcliffe, of Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

COTA SA chief executive Jane Mussared was among the panel of industry experts tackling the big issues facing the health and care sectors as part of Wednesday’s Fearless Conversations forum.

Lyn Dean is the head of health agency Wellbeing SA. Picture: Dean Martin

Ms Mussared said the problem of attracting and retaining care staff was “acute” in country areas of SA, particularly where there were associated issues with areas such as housing and education.

“One of the very important things in considering health and aged care needs is that 26 per cent of South Australians aged over 50 don’t live in Adelaide – they live in the regions – and that makes a big difference to access to health and aged care services,” she said.

The shortage was highlighted in the past week with SA Health offering to pay locums $2600 a shift and revelations that seven country hospitals were running solely on locums.

Ms Mussared is among a panel of experts who will tackle some of the key challenges confronting the state’s health and care sectors during the 11th Flinders University Flinders University Fearless Conversations forum, to be held this week.

The 13-week campaign – held in partnership with The Advertiser – brings together leading South Australian voices to discuss some of the big issues facing the state.

Aside from workforce challenges, other issues on the agenda included mental health, ambulance ramping and the importance of preventive care.