Bush nursing at risk from wage costs, outdated funding model

HEALTHCARE services to 15 remote communities across Victoria are under threat, as costs continue to outstrip funding for the state’s Bush Nursing Centres.

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HEALTHCARE services to 15 remote communities across Victoria are under threat, as costs continue to outstrip funding for the state’s Bush Nursing Centres.

The centres deliver services, from 24/7 emergency response to home visits and palliative care, with funding from the State Government as well as community donations.

But local communities warn that without a drastic overhaul in funding, rising costs — particularly a new nurse’s enterprise bargaining agreement and reporting and auditing requirements — mean services will be cut and centres will become unsustainable.

A recent study of 13 centres by peak body Leading Age Services Australia found a funding shortfall of $158,000 this year.

Within four years, the centres would be $700,000 in the red.

However, Health Minister Jill Hennessy has refused, for two years, to meet with the centres and their representatives.

LASA spokeswoman Veronica Jamison said the situation was unsustainable.

“The new nurse’s EBA means (centres) will have to pay more in wages each year,” she said.

“Health and wellbeing in the community is the Health Minister’s responsibility. It is also in the interest of Victorian taxpayers to support BNCs … without them the State would have to find (another) way to provide services to remote communities.”

Swifts Creek BNC president Kath Smith said the Government had lifted funding to help pay nurses’ wages but it only covered half the increased costs.

Residents in towns with the centres pay memberships and fundraise, currently about $80,000 per year, to keep the doors open.

The centres also pay nurses to be emergency first responders, in lieu of paid ambulance officers.

“We’re a remote area with an ageing population, we only exist now thanks to community support but it’s not fair to keep asking them to pay more,” Ms Smith said

Ensay BNC board member Barry Newcomen called on the Government to “stop shirking its responsibility” and give BNCs greater support for its vital service.

Dingee BNC manager Claire McGregor said there was a gap between what the Government thought was adequate and the real cost of BNCs.

“There needs to be formal review,” she said.

A spokesman for Minister Hennessy said “while bush nursing centres are privately-run organisations, we know they are the pillars of regional and rural communities — that’s why we give them the support they need … we’ve increased funding for BNCs every year”.

Opposition Rural Health spokeswoman Emma Kealy said she would “have more to say” election commitments for BNCs next week.