A Legislative Council inquiry in New South Wales Parliament is set to investigate the role of registered nurses in the state’s nursing homes.
The General Purpose Standing Committee has been tasked to undertake the investigation, which has been sparked by potential changes to New South Wales laws which may put at risk the requirement for a registered nurse to be on duty at a nursing home at all time.
Committee Chairwoman, Greens MLC Jan Barham, says a number of organisations have raised concerns about the issue.
The committee will investigate the need for registered nurses at nursing homes and how the proposed law changes may impact the safety of those in care, and potentially shift costs onto other parts of the public health system.
The inquiry will also look at the need for further regulation and minimum standards for assistants in nursing and other employees and carers, and the adequacy of nurse to patient ratios in aged care facilities.
Public submissions are open until July 23 and the committee anticipates there will be public hearings later this year.