Staff shortages in aged-care sector leading to poor care of elderly

Workers in the aged care sector believe staff shortages are leading to inadequate care for the elderly, according to a survey carried out by unions working in the sector. Nearly 1200 workers from the Nurses' Organisation and the E Tu union responded to the survey and eighty-three-percent thought care was either delayed or missed for most of their shifts. Over 80-percent of the survey's respondents also said the level of care required by residents has increased significantly in the last few years and the staffing levels aren't high enough to provide quality care.