otb,

May I politely suggest that you Google for yourself
The Aged Care Workforce, 2012 Final Report - put out
by the Department of Health. It might clarify things
for you.

As for the rest of your attempts at stirring and personal
attacks on me (nothing new there) - go back
and re-read my posts and show me precisely where
I stated anything against non-migrant workers.
And where I've said anything derogatory about non-
migrant staff and shown my lack of concern.

As for Mr Abbott's axe - have you not been watching
Question Time in Parliament - or watched nurses
complaining about cut-backs and staff shortages?

You really are a nasty piece of work!

Foxy,

You would say that, but the record is there in the thread. I reckon you gave enough to show your prejudices, in particular your lack of concern for the future and conditions of Australian nurses. Although you are on the back-pedal, which you should be.

What you are at pains to forget is that the aging of the Australian population comes as no surprise. It has been in the news for fifty years and more. You would very much prefer that the recent poor planning and policies of the long years of Rudd and Julia Whatshername be forgotten.

Everyone knows that subjects such as gerontology are given scant attention in medical training, and that workers in the field are traditionally poorly encouraged, poorly paid and poor resourced compared with the 'sexy' pursuits such as coronary care and intensive care. Not that an egocentric, wagon-riding PM like Julia Whatshername would care - she said that the elderly don't vote Labor anyhow and didn't deserve an increase in pension(!).

What is at issue and I have pointed to it previously is the poor planning and lack of accountability of federal governments. It hasn't just happened with Abbott as you suggest. Regrettably, neither side of government has adequately supported medical and nursing training, preferring to make up the numbers from South Africa and Asia. There is money too in having far fewer places for our intending medical students, reserving the places to earn $$ from international students. That can include restricting the number of places for Australian medical graduates in teaching hospitals through deals with universities (who get $$ from international students).

You also disregard the long campaign to improve nurse education, recognition and pay. Traditionally, those attracted to nursing are earnest individuals whose life aim is to provide a service to the community. Nurses have always regarded nursing as a vocation and as a profession. The adequate education, pay and conditions have been very hard fought. It had to be strikes, where the rest of the labour movement could get away with limitations and negotiation.

otb,

Goodness me - the litany goes on against me.
And it's wrong. I am being accused of things
that I neither think nor feel. But what can
I do? There are some individuals who apparently
enjoy winding up people. They sit in front of their
computers and hide behind their anonymity and make
deliberately provocative statements to get a response.

Perhaps this short ditty may get my message across
nothing else seems to have worked:

"Poor 'on the beach'
He's out at sea
Continually spreading negativity
If only he could change his pace
And contribute something to the human race."

Foxy,

You could write a ditty for the AN&MF who are feeling despondent about lack of jobs for nursing graduates and the likelihood of forced redundancies for the high numbers of experienced nurses aged 35-45 years.

However you are doing OK, right? You are alright, Jack!

Foxy's view:
"The current health care agencies due to Mr Abbott's axe cuts probably could not afford to hire the "white" staff you speak of.
We need to be grateful that we have caring people who are able to work for lower wages and yet still maintain the care necessary,
especially in our aged care facilities"

and

Foxy, "I was merely quoting what I had been told by the Director of Nursing at two Blu-Cross aged-care facilities here in Melbourne. They hired migrant staff because they were cheaper - and excellent. And this is straight from the "horses -mouth."

otb,

I could write an entire article on behalf of all the
staff in our hospitals, medical centres, and
aged care facilites.
They need all the support that all of us can muster.
The reasons for what's happening in the health-care
sectors are many and complex. I merely touched on a very
small area. If you're really interested in this
subject and the complexity of the problems involved
do go and Google
"The Aged Care Workforce 2012 Final Report" put out by
the Department of Health

cont'd ...

As for your asking me how am I doing?
And whether I'm allright, Jack?

All I can say to you Sir, is -

Take an intelligent guess.