State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, has criticised the NSW Government after it voted against a Bill to have Registered Nurses in aged care facilities, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In 2016, the Government dropped a rule requiring Registered Nurses in aged care to be on duty 24/7. This was despite a Parliamentary Inquiry recommending the Government retain the regulation.
The Government used its numbers in the Parliament yesterday to vote down the Bill.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“In the Wallsend electorate, aged care is an issue close to the heart of many. We care about the wellbeing and treatment of the elderly in our community.”
“NSW was once envied for its gold standard protections for aged care residents. It was the only State in the country to mandate the employment of on-site Registered Nurses, for which New South Wales could be proud.”
“The only benefit of removing the 24/7 Registered Nurse requirement is to increase profits for nursing homes, but this has come at a high price to elderly residents and their families.”
“Eight of the top 10 locations calling for an emergency ambulance in 2015 were nursing homes. Without an on-site registered nurse, elderly residents have been sent to already overcrowded emergency departments to access nursing care.”
“Having Registered Nurses in our aged care facilities is a matter of decency and a basic human right.”
“The decision to employ a Registered Nurse should be solely based on the care needs of residents, not the bottom line.”
“Voting against this Bill was a shameful decision by this Government.”