A Rothwell family has voiced concern after BlueCare confirmed it will cut a large share of enrolled nurse positions across its Queensland facilities, including the Rothwell centre.

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Funding Changes Behind Cuts

On 25 August 2025, BlueCare, Queensland’s largest aged care provider, announced plans to reduce its enrolled nursing workforce. The decision follows federal reforms introduced in October 2023, which set new mandatory daily care minute requirements.

Earlier in June 2025, BlueCare also cut 120 roles from its community services division, which provides at-home care.

84 Roles at Risk Across 21 Sites

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) estimates that up to 84 of 130 enrolled nurse roles will be removed across 21 of BlueCare’s 40 facilities, about 60 per cent of its workforce.

BlueCare said the care provided by enrolled nurses counts for only 10 per cent of the mandatory care minute targets, leaving a funding shortfall. The provider said it would redeploy staff where possible and expects actual redundancies to be lower than the union’s figures.

Union Challenges Provider’s Explanation

The union disputes BlueCare’s justification, arguing the cuts are financially motivated. It warned that duties such as medication management could shift to personal care workers who do not have the same clinical training as enrolled nurses.

BlueCare maintains that overall care levels will remain unchanged and stressed it values enrolled nurses despite the restructure.

Rothwell Family Raises Concern, Wider Public Reacts

At the Rothwell facility, Angela Ray, whose 81-year-old mother lives there, said enrolled nurses had provided vital continuity of care. She fears their removal could leave non-clinical needs unmet.

More broadly, social media responses showed public concern about safety risks, profit priorities, and the replacement of skilled nurses with lower-paid carers. Some families also shared personal experiences of dedicated care workers but still questioned whether quality standards can be maintained.

Next Steps Under Review

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The union has referred the matter to national regulators and oversight agencies. Authorities have confirmed providers are required to meet safe care standards, while families, including those in Rothwell, are waiting to see how the changes will affect daily operations in facilities.

Published 30-Aug-2025

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