11 April 2019
MEDIA DOORSTOP TODAY
Who: ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary, Emily Shepherd
When: TODAY, Thursday 11 April 2019
When: 1:15pm
Where: ANMF Launceston Office, 19 Brisbane Street Launceston
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) have written to the Tasmanian Government to reject the offer put forward to public sector nursing and midwifery members on the 29th of May 2019. While ANMF members acknowledge that the Government has moved on their 2% wages cap, they remain of the belief that the current offer does not ensure future recruitment and retention to the Tasmanian health system. Members voiced their dissatisfaction with the overall package through an anonymous survey conducted by the ANMF.
“ANMF members were recently surveyed. Over 90% of respondents rejected the offer on the premise that it would not ensure the future recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives in the state. Nurses and midwives are dismayed by the lack of recognition for their efforts in caring for patients. The Hodgman Government is asking them to trade away many of their hard-won conditions such as public holidays, in order to fund their own pay rises,” said ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd.
“As health professionals, nurses are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week in public hospitals, to ensure those Tasmanians who are unwell enough to be admitted to hospital, receive the care they need in a timely manner,” said Ms. Shepherd
“It is projected that there will be a deficit of up to 85,000 nurses and midwives across Australia by the year 2025. Tasmanian nurses and midwives in the public service are concerned that the community will be impacted by this deficit should a competitive offer not be tabled by the Government that ensures adequate recruitment and retention.”
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Media contact:
Andrew Brakey, Executive Director
Mobile: 0427 385 501
Email: andrew.brakey@anmftas.org.au