The ANMF have been advised that members at Healthecare North West Private Hospital working in elective surgery will be stood down for 4 weeks effective immediately and Hobart Private Hospital members may be affected after 1 April.

Members at Healthecare North West Private Hospital have been offered access to any leave entitlements (Annual/Long Service) at half rate, or you can elect not to use your leave entitlements. We understand that some members may not have any leave entitlements nor wish to use them at this time. For those at Hobart Private Hospital, the ANMF understands that your employer is currently assessing options for staff and taking expression of interest for leave after 1 April.

The ANMF have raised with the Minister for Health and also the Secretary for the Department of Health that some private sector employees may be interested in a short-term contract with the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) during this stand down. The Minister for Health has indicated that any nurses at either of these sites would be considered for working within the THS during this stand down period and that it is the Governments view that no healthcare worker should be dis-engaged with the health workforce during this time. The ANMF understands that the Department of Health will contact your employers to discuss how this might be facilitated.

The ANMF will be meeting with Hobart Day Surgery and Calvary Healthcare this week to discuss their services and workforce plans for members in the coming days, but no advice has suggested at this time that stand down would be occurring.