Australian Medical Association is shocked to come across a new trial supported by the Federal Government under which cleaners will be educated about potential health concerns regarding elderly patients. Cleaners will be taught how to identify such major ailments.

The Bethanie Group in Port Kennedy has also been funded to be a part of the trial.

The Minister for Aged Care Mark Butler said, "Cleaners, cooks and personal care workers will be trained to identify health and well-being issues early. Ageing population makes it necessary for workers to be as highly skilled as possible".

On the other hand, AMA's President President Richard Choong has opposed the trial and asserted that it seems that the government is trying to place an improvised substitute for health care workers. Government is failing to understand the seriousness of the issue.

Dr. Choong highlighted that there is a need of professionals, that is health care workers as population is reaching their old age. Such trials will prove of no good.

However, Bethanie's Chief Operating Officer Christopher How asserted that the $10.2-million trial has been introduced to simply enhance the skills of the cleaners; they will only be trained regarding major issues. The carers will only be carrying out the basic needs of the patients.