Tasmania's largest aged care provider plans to train food preparation staff to also directly care for residents as part of an operational overhaul, but the union representing many of its workers has labelled it "diabolical".
Southern Cross Care Tasmania, which runs nine residential care facilities, has announced a new "household model" of care, which involves catering, lifestyle and leisure staff also caring directly for residents.
Three Southern Cross Care Tasmania facilities have been issued with notices for failing to comply with minimum aged care standards in recent years, including one in August this year.
CEO Robyn Boyd said the organisation's facilities now meet all minimum standards for compliance and that the changes announced today were a direct response to last year's recommendations from the national Royal Commission into Aged Care.
She said the overhaul would provide opportunities for workers — as well as efficiencies for the not-for-profit organisation, which has been making successive losses.
The job descriptions of 175 members of staff — out of the organisation's 1,200 workers in total — will change but Ms Boyd said it was committed to retaining the same total number of staff.
The organisation says it will offer voluntary redundancies and redeployments, including to enrolled nurses whose roles are no longer being funded by the federal government.
Registered nurses and clinical care coordinators would "remain front and centre" in the new model of care, Southern Cross said.
Current catering staff will be asked to complete a Certificate III in aged care.
'Why weren't we told?'
The daughter of a Southern Cross Care resident has told the ABC she was not consulted on the changes and the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) said the overhaul would jeopardise vital specialist aged care roles.
Yvonne Murfet's mother has lived in a Southern Cross Care facility for two years.
Ms Murfet said that she has repeatedly raised concerns about the quality of food and cleaning at the facility.
"I just want my Mum to have a hot meal. Why are meals being delivered cold?" she said.
"Why did I have to find out from the media, again, about a change that will not only affect my Mum, but hundreds of residents around Tasmania as well?
"Why weren't we told? As a family member of a bedridden resident, why wasn't I told?"
Changes 'jeopardising the job security'
HACSU industrial manager Robbie Moore said staff had not been consulted either.
"We are seeing the largest aged care provider in Tasmania making a move that is jeopardising the job security, the care that we're providing to older Tasmanians … without any justification," he said.
"To announce it without even having spoken to their staff is absolutely unacceptable.
"Staff are absolutely shocked by today's announcement, the fact that it has come from nowhere [and] they have not been consulted and talked to in any way."
"They are trying to spin this that it will be better for residents. It will be diabolical for residents and they [Southern Cross Care] need to back down."
Mr Moore said Southern Cross Care had been "neglecting residents and treating their staff with contempt".
"This is a further move to put it at risk — job security — and it will fundamentally affect the service that residents get," he said.
"We have specialised roles in aged care whether you're a carer, you work in food services or you're an enrolled nurse — these are vital roles that make part of a team and this puts all of this at risk."
Nurses' union condemns changes
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) state branch secretary Emily Shepherd said the changes would "do nothing to improve the safety and quality of care of residents".
"The ANMF condemn this decision in the strongest possible terms," she said.
"Enrolled nurses have been absolutely instrumental in supporting medical administration with support of care workers.
"We simply cannot have care workers replacing enrolled nurses.
"Medical administration requirements in Tasmania are quite different to other states and territories."
Ms Boyd said Southern Cross Care was beginning consultation immediately.
"We've met with our staff and residents and families today and we will continue that consultation process for some weeks and months to come," she said.
"We'll continue to work with staff and provide reassurances and supports as we go along."
Describing the new model of care, starting next year, Ms Boyd said it would improve the lives of residents by creating a "home-like environment", expanding wellness centres and gyms, and recommissioning kitchens with chefs in every facility.
She later clarified that pre-made food would still be delivered to one facility in Launceston, which does not currently have a kitchen.
"It's about better care, better quality of life, better built environment, better food [and] better everything for the residents," she said.
