Southern Cross Care rally over move to abolish specialist roles

Union members, Southern Cross Care residents and their families will rally today to oppose the aged-care provider’s move to a new model which will see many specialist roles abolished.

Rivulet, Southern Cross Care at South Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd.

UNION members, Southern Cross Care residents and their families will rally on Tuesday to oppose the aged-care provider’s move to a new model which will see many specialist roles abolished.

The rally, at the St Leonards Picnic Ground at 12pm, comes as enrolled nurses, kitchen staff and lifestyle officers worry about their future.

In total, 175 workers across nine Tasmanian facilities will be impacted after Southern Cross Care revealed last week it was embarking on the first stage of a switch to a “household model” of care.

CEO Robyn Boyd said the change was a direct response to the Aged Care Royal Commission recommendations, the federal government’s funding and care reform agenda and resident feedback.

Mrs Boyd acknowledged the roles and responsibilities for some of the workforce would change such as enrolled nurses, leisure and lifestyle officers and servery staff.

“For example, the federal government is no longer funding Enrolled Nurses as nurses, but as carers. This will have an impact so there are discussions taking place with our ENs now on what the options are to be redeployed in the organisation,” Mrs Boyd said.

“Some will continue on as carers continuing to perform as usual. Some may not want to do that, so we will offer other roles in the organisation where we are expanding our operations such as wellness centres and case managers for home and community services. Voluntary redundancies will also be offered.”

Southern Cross Care staff and families will rally today.

But Southern Cross Care says the change was a “once in a lifetime opportunity to reimagine quality of life of residential care residents”.

“We will need goodwill, patience and understanding from all stakeholders as we

transition to this new model that puts the aged care resident front and centre of all that we do,” Mrs Boyd said.

But already concerns have been raised by aged care workers and some politicians including the Jacqui Lambie Network’s Tammy Tyrrell who said the announcement raised more questions than gave answers.

A worker wrote to The Mercury this week saying the changes had been announced on the news with “zero consultation, explanation or forewarning”.

“This has led to significant stress and anxiety for all staff, especially ENs who work incredibly hard doing specialist work and whose future is now very uncertain,” they said.

“It’s hard to imagine how this could be the actions of an organisation that cares even a small amount for their so-called valued staff. Staff morale is at an all-time low.”

Mrs Boyd said the changes were about ensuring residents can live in a home-like environment, with flexible routines and schedules and making their own choices around daily living activities.