10 April 2019
MEDIA DOORSTOP TOMORROW
Who: ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary, Emily Shepherd
When: TOMORROW, 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.
“ANMF members are appealing to the public to support them by writing a letter to the Premier in order to help the Government understand the current situation. By failing to provide a competitive package to nurses and midwives in the current enterprise agreement, the Tasmanian Government are failing to deliver best patient care and are ultimately disrespecting the broader communities health needs.”
“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.
“Tasmanians are admitted to hospital when they require around the clock observation and assessment, this is carried out by nursing and midwifery staff. Nurses and midwives are the backbone of the Tasmanian Health System and without adequate numbers, the fragile Tasmanian health system will be crippled.” “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.”
“If we cannot recruit and retain nurses in the Tasmanian public health system by offering attractive wages and conditions, this will lead to a further shortage of nursing and midwifery staff,” said Ms Shepherd.
“This will lead to poorer outcomes for those admitted to Tasmania’s public hospitals. Ultimately it could be you, or a loved one, who’s health care needs are not met because a nurse or midwife is stretched too thinly due to staffing shortages and a failure to act by the Tasmanian Government.”
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Media contact:
Andrew Brakey, Executive Director
Mobile: 0427 385 501
Email: andrew.brakey@anmftas.org.au