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28 November 2018

Nurses asked to redirect workloads due to unprecedented demand at RHH

We have received word from members at the Royal Hobart Hospital that management have issued a message to all nursing staff advising them that all training development tasks are to be postponed or cancelled. Further, all nursing staff who are not responsible for direct patient care have been advised to redirect their workloads to supporting direct patient care. This action will run for the next two weeks and has come in the face of unprecedented demand on hospital services. 

“The situation at the Royal Hobart Hospital shows the dire level our members are expected to work under each and every day to ensure safe patient care for the Tasmanian community. Despite management doing the best they can with the current resources, this is not a viable solution,” said ANMF Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd. 

“Our members know what it takes to ensure adequate care is delivered to patients. I am confident that the community will continue to have access to services during this time thanks to the commitment of public sector nurses and midwives. However, this situation reflects poorly on the Tasmanian Government who remain incapable of recognising the dedication of nurses and midwives working within the public health system. By not putting an offer on the table in current Enterprise Agreement negotiations, this shows us that the Tasmanian Government do not respect their hard work and dedication.”

The ANMF are concerned that even with the injection of funding into the health system announced yesterday by the Tasmanian Government, this will only go to adjusting a budget that was already 100 million dollars in deficit. The information currently available from the Tasmanian Government does not suggest that that extra staff or services will be put in place above and beyond what is already being used to barely keep up with current demand.

“Our members want to see the newly announced funding allocated to projects that will see the pressure released from our public hospitals, not just ensure an already underfunded system continues to struggle to keep up with demand,” said Ms Shepherd

“It is not acceptable that nurses and midwives need to put their own professional development on hold to ensure that the system can meet the demand. Eventually this will lead to poorer patient outcomes.” 

Ongoing Enterprise Agreement negotiations between the Tasmanian Government and the ANMF have yet to see a formal offer tabled. As such, the ANMF will continue to hold events, including community rallies, the next of which will be in Hobart on Thursday 6 December 2018.

If you work at the Royal Hobart Hospital and need support, please contact our Member Support Team on (03) 6223 6777 or email membersupport@anmftas.org.au.