Why can't we value and pay for the emotional cost of caring?

Abstract

<p>Essential workers in caring professions such as nursing, aged care and early childhood education are burning out across Australia, but researchers say there could be an inventive way to fix the system.</p> <p>Ignored for too long, the picture on the frontline of caring professions is bleak.</p> <p>In aged care, burnout has been worsened in 2022 by staff unable to work due to COVID-19 infections. On February 4^th this year, the Federal Government reported that 15,478 staff were currently associated with an active COVID-19 case. </p> <p>Rather than addressing the issues that are causing staff shortages in aged care facilities, Prime Minister Morrison has called on volunteering Australia to initially deploy 2000 volunteers scaling up to 18000 along with 1700 Australian Defence Force staff to fill shortages. </p> <p>Nurses and midwives in NSW hospitals reported they were understaffed before the pandemic, but described many wards as 'warzones' with the additional challenges of Omicron.</p> <p>In early childhood education, many services have closed from staff leaving the profession. </p> <p>These staff shortages in health, aged care and education are disrupting the care and education of our most vulnerable.</p>