Launceston General Hospital (LGH) Update

Ward 5D
On 13 November 2019, the ANMF attended a report back conference at the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC) as a follow up to the original conference held on the 17 October relating to workload concerns of members on ward 5D.

The ANMF are pleased to report the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) have approved an additional permanent 1.03 FTE and this will be rostered immediately on fixed term contracts whilst the position is advertised permanently.

The THS advised that a business case is being developed for a statewide Pharmacy Technician position. Whilst this business case is being considered, THS management will hold discussions with the local Pharmacy Manager to understand what provisions can be provided to assist ward 5D. The lack of a Pharmacy Technician support adds to nursing workloads. The THS have also advised the ANMF that they are working on a business case for a ward Pharmacist for 5D. The ANMF will be provided with time frames for the business approval process by THS management as it comes to hand. We will alert members of any changes via workplace meetings and emails.

Ward 4O/B
On 11 October 2019, the ANMF wrote to the THS on behalf of 4O/B members to escalate the Workload Grievance initially raised on 9 July 2019. The ANMF received correspondence from THS management on the 31 October, proposing a working group be established to address the workload concerns of members. The first meeting is scheduled for 10 December 2019 and will be attended by ANMF officials, ANMF Work Representative’s, THS management and a THS Human Resources representative. The ANMF will schedule a member meeting following the working group meeting to provide a report back to members.

Ward 4D
ANMF officials attended the TIC on 13 November 2019 for a report back conference following a previous conference at the end of October 2019. The ANMF were able to ensure the following outcomes for members:

• Ward 4D benchmarking will be brought forward to occur in February 2020, it is anticipated that at this time the average bed occupancy will show that the ward has been running at 100% occupancy for well over 12 months. This should assist with being able to permanently fund the ward to 29 beds.
• The THS will provide the ANMF with the required FTE to run the ward at 29 beds. These positions will be provided on fixed term contracts and consideration will be given to them being placed on the permanent 4D roster.
• The ANMF have requested time frames are provided for the current prolonged business case process, as this process took 7 months to be approved.
• The Associate Nursing Unit Manager (ANUM) will remain indirect with no allocation of patient load on afternoon and weekend shifts.
• At the next Consultative Committee meeting on 25 November 2019 there will be discussions held regarding the ongoing requirement for a Clinical Coach position to support the ward.

The ANMF will be conducting member meetings following the next consultative committee meeting. Please keep an eye out for an email and more information about when and where this will be happening.

Angiography Suite
The ANMF attended the TIC on behalf of members working in the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) Angiography Suite on 13 November 2019. This was to discuss our members ongoing workload concerns and the pressure on them to participate in the on-call roster. As a result of the conference, the ANMF will be requesting a roster review meeting with the Director of Nursing. We will be holding a member meeting prior to the report back conference in the TIC on 4 December 2019. To learn more, please read the latest newsflash here.

Updates correct as at 27 November 2019
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary