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HACSU Raises Safety Concerns in Tasmanian Nursing Homes

The fire at a Sydney Nursing Home Heiden Park Lodge, Carramar, highlights concerns regarding resident safety in Tasmanian nursing homes. HACSU calls on the industry and federal government to address the issue of safe staffing levels across the aged care sector.

Heiden Park Lodge has been reported as a small home with 60 residents. Reports indicate that the fire has resulted in one resident death with other residents suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

Nursing homes in Tasmania run with smaller staffing to resident ratios on nights than they do during the day.

The Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) is concerned that in some Tasmanian nursing homes there is a night staffing ratio of 1 registered nurse and 3 carers to 100 residents. This could cause serious difficulties should staff have to perform a mass evacuation in the event of a fire.. The design of some nursing homes also places significant barriers on staff in performing evacuations safely.

Tim Jacobson, HACSU Assistant State Secretary said "In most Tasmanian nursing homes there are residents who are not ambulant and would require significant assistance should the need arise to evacuate the home.

The industry and federal government must address the issue of safe staffing levels across the aged care sector."