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While applauding the Victorian State Government’s willingness to invest, Catholic Health Australia is warning against a fragmented state-by-state approach to paying for nurse training and is calling on the Commonwealth to step in and introduce a national scheme.
A CHA study by the University of Notre Dame found there were almost 6,000 nurse and midwife vacancies across the private hospital sector and a further 1900 nurse vacancies in aged care.
Speaking ahead of CHA’s attendance at this week’s Jobs & Skills Summit, CHA Health Policy Director Caitlin O’Dea warned the Victorian Government scheme in isolation could compound national shortages in the private sector.
“If COVID has demonstrated anything it is the need for all areas of health or aged care to cooperate across jurisdictions,” Ms O’Dea said.
“All arms of the Australian health system have done an excellent job of working together. So, it would be a shame if a well-intentioned state-based initiative undid some of that work.
“Setting up an inequitable system for nurses that immediately puts one state and one system – in this case the Victorian public sector – ahead of another is misguided. It would be much better if the Commonwealth Government stepped in and directed this to ensure we attract more nurses overall, regardless of where they might work.”
CHA Aged Care Director Jason Kara said he was concerned about the impact of the Victorian scheme on the aged care sector.
“Our members are already struggling to attract and retain staff, particularly nursing staff who can earn more working in hospitals,” Mr Kara said.
“The idea of waiving tuition fees is great, but surely it would be so much better for the nation if it was for all jurisdictions and all workplaces that need nurses.”
