AUSTRALIA'S healthcare workforce is being limited by the Federal Government's lack of support for childcare, an Australian Labor Party MP believes.
Speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday, Bendigo MP, Lisa Chesters, said pharmacists and nurses were being forced to chose between taking a financial hit to provide services for their communities, or miss out on working due to the cost of childcare.
"A pharmacist spoke to me," Chesters said.
"She said that during the pandemic, her employer asked her to work more hours.
"She has two children in early childhood education...she actually paid to work.
"She thought it was her duty to work - it was a pandemic - but it cost her family money to ensure that she turned up and did her role as a community pharmacist.
"A nurse for whom I raised a question in parliament, said she would like to take a third and fourth day, but can't [because of the cost of childcare].
"These are people that the Government are saying are high income earners.
"Their means test is too mean... it is excluding nurses from taking that extra shift and the pharmacist from working full-time."
Chesters' comments echo claims made by Professional Pharmacists Australia President, Dr Geoff March, who told Pharmacy Daily that childcare costs were "a barrier for many pharmacists wanting to return to their careers after having children" (PD 13 Oct).
"Pharmacists have been on the front line of the fight to keep our community healthy and safe," he said.
"For a short period, they were able to see what life would be like if they could earn a living wage without the burden of childcare fees [when the Government funded free childcare services]."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 29 Oct 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 29 Oct 20
