{"id":37059,"date":"2022-01-24T08:05:21","date_gmt":"2022-01-23T21:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/development.uwu.org.au\/staging\/?p=37059"},"modified":"2025-07-28T16:08:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T06:08:21","slug":"devastating-picture-of-omicron-in-aged-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/development.uwu.org.au\/staging\/archive\/devastating-picture-of-omicron-in-aged-care\/","title":{"rendered":"DEVASTATING PICTURE OF OMICRON IN AGED CARE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aged care workers have painted a devastating picture of life inside aged care facilities with omicron.<\/p>\n

In first-hand accounts and a major survey released today<\/a>, aged care workers have reported on the impact of a virus ripping through aged care facilities, slashing standards of care and risking the survival of frail residents.<\/p>\n

In a United Workers Union survey of 900 workers \u2013 mainly based in Queensland and South Australia – more than 80 per cent of the aged care workers reported on the impact of working in facilities with outbreaks of omicron.<\/p>\n

Data released by the Federal Government on Friday shows 1198 active outbreaks in residential aged care facilities<\/a> with the number of active Covid cases in facilities soaring to 19,000 \u2013 up from 7000 the previous week<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Aged care workers tell how omicron has created chaos in aged care facilities nationally, heaping pressure on an already understaffed, low-paid and exhausted workforce.<\/p>\n

In their testimonies, aged care workers reveal breakdowns in infection control processes and harsh impacts on residents, with one-in-ten reporting they are being asked to work even when they are ill:<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t feel safe to work since I don’t get tested frequently.\u00a0 I requested the test because I had to work in the areas which don’t have positive residents, the day after I assisted positive residents. They said no.\u201d \u2013 Aged care worker, South Australia.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\u201c<\/em>Residents are being put at risk because of the critical understaffing in the facility.\u201d \u2013 Aged care worker, Queensland.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have staff being moved from between the Covid affected areas to non infected areas and the management is turning a blind eye so they can say there was staff.\u201d \u2013 Aged care worker, Queensland.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\u201cIn our facility more than 80% of staff are positive – they are using our sick leave and annual leave to pay us. That\u2019s not right.\u201d \u2013 Aged care worker, South Australia.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>In the survey workers detail they struggle to get adequate PPE \u2013 more than a third say they either don\u2019t have any PPE or it\u2019s highly limited and likely to run out \u2013 and the lack of Rapid Antigen Tests \u2013 56 per cent of workers say they are not being tested at all.<\/p>\n

The workers also paint a picture of a demoralised workforce being pushed beyond their limits, facing high pressure to work extra shifts and extra days without any boosted pay or recognition.<\/p>\n

Almost 80 per cent of workers report they are stressed, exhausted and confused by the constantly changing demands of omicron.<\/p>\n

And almost 60 per cent report they are frequently being asked to work double shifts.<\/p>\n

In response to the dire conditions in aged care facilities, aged care workers in Queensland and South Australia have demanded the Prime Minister, Scott Morrision, take responsibility or bear the consequences of further departures from a shattered workforce.<\/p>\n

Aged care workers are demanding:<\/strong><\/p>\n