Health care workers protested in Brisbane yesterday to oppose job cuts to Home and Community Care. The cuts were announced by Metro South Health last month as part of a cost-cutting program designed to save $42 million in the state government’s budget. The home and community care program would be transferred to the non-government sector.
Metro South Health Chief Executive Richard Ashby said the move would reduce duplication of services as the non-government sector already provides home care services. He said clients of the home care service would not see any change in the quality of the care they receive.
However, Michael Thomas from the Together Union contends that there would be a noticeable impact for clients. He cites the ability of the private sector to charge a co-payment for services which the government home and community care program has never done. He believes it will have a huge impact on people as many will not be able to afford that co-payment and will have nowhere else to go to get help.
Approximately 150 home care workers on the southside of Brisbane are set to lose their jobs.
Home and community care staff support the elderly and disabled persons stay in their own homes.
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Hands off home care Newman, protesters plea