Mental Health Hospital in The Home (MH HiTH)

The ANMF contacted Nurse Unit Manager Louise Megson on Thursday 2 April 2020, to discuss unresolved matters that had been raised by members during a meeting on 26 March 2020. Louise responded to matters concerning; service permanency, single nurses for patient visits and the parameters around this, afternoon admissions and circumstances whereby nurses could defer a late admission, and arrangements for study days. You can read the full newsflash sent to members here.

The ANMF were advised that once the MHHiTH medical officers who are covering higher duties as a result of COVID-19 return to their normal roles, they will be extending their service coverage into the evening to assist nurses. A request for additional nurses for afternoon shift is being considered by upper management.

Wilfred Lopes Centre

The ANMF spoke with members from Wilfred Lopes Centre in relation to concerns regarding access to PPE after-hours. Nurse Unit Manager Darren West has provided the ANMF with the rationale around their decision to reduce stockroom supplies of PPE and have provided us with details regarding access if nurses require additional supply after-hours.

Darren indicated that the storeroom supply of masks available for immediate access has been increased. You can read the full Newsflash sent to members here.

Correctional Primary Health Service (CPHS) Risdon Prison

The ANMF  received a formal response from Executive Director of Nursing Mental Health Services Adie Gibbons on 3 April 2020. A summary of this letter was sent to members on 16 April 2020. The letter details the decision around ANUM’s for Correctional Primary Health Service, a plan for moving forward with medication management, answers to the Work Health and Safety concerns raised in relation to the medium precinct and the reclassification of Ron Barwick Prison (RBP) to ‘medium low’, and a statement from Chief Superintendent RBP, Department of Justice (DoJ) Geraldine Hayes. You can read the full Newsflash sent to members here.

The ANMF have been contacted by members in relation to wet weather gear for conducting medication parade walks around in the medium precinct. A/DON Peter Timson has been contacted by the ANMF and at the time of writing, appropriate items are being identified. These items will need to be approved by Tas Prison Service before they can be ordered and distributed to nurses. We are awaiting an update from Peter regarding this matter.

We have also requested a meeting with A/DON Peter Timson in relation to the status of ongoing matters in the Correctional Primary Health Service. We will investigate options for a member meeting via video conferencing if this is indicated and/or requested by members.

Please note: We are currently looking for an ANMF member to act as the Workplace Representative for Correctional Primary Health Service. If you would like an opportunity to become more involved with the ANMF, to work more closely with us in pushing forward your workplace issues, to better understand your rights and how to build union power, please don’t hesitate to contact your Organiser, Jenna Bowling via email: jenna.bowling@anmftas.org.au.

Updates correct as at 29 April 2020.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary