The Queensland government has announced the planned closure of two public residential units at the Eventide Aged Care Campus at Brighton in Brisbane’s north.
The move will mean the relocation of 80 residents, while as many as 69 staff will lose their jobs.
Opposition health spokeswoman Jo-Ann Miller described the move as 'mean and tricky'. She said there had been no mention of any aged care closures at last week's budget estimate hearings.
Announcing the closure, Metro North Hospital and Health Board chair Dr Paul Alexander said in a media release that "Residential aged care is more appropriately managed by private and non-government services that specialise in providing this type of care.
"We are focusing our resources on our hospitals and outpatient care, as this is where we have a pivotal role in providing healthcare to our community."
Queensland Nurses Union secretary Beth Mohle (pictured) says there was no consultation about the closures.
"Firstly, the community is told 80 beds are going initially. Less than 24 hours later we are told it is 120 beds. This is very distressing for residents, their families and staff,'' she said.
"Treasurer Tim Nicholls flagged in September that State Government nursing homes and other areas were being looked at.
"But we certainly didn't think that it would be happening this quickly and we certainly didn't think that we wouldn't be advised and consulted about this."
She added that it was time for the state government to ‘come clean’ about its plans not only for Brisbane North, but every other state government-owned aged care facility across the state as well.