Aged care: statewide updates - Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Tasmanian Branch)

Statewide Updates

From the aged care sector

Catch up on the latest news and updates from the ANMF. Here you will find information relating to the aged care sector from across the state.

Need Assistance?

Please contact our Member Support Team if you would like to discuss any of the outlined issues or raise a concern. Alternatively, and you can send an email outlining your concerns to our team - membersupport@anmftas.org.au. Please note that due to the current COVID-19 situation, our Member Support Team is practicing social isolation measures and working from home. Bearing this in mind, email is the preferred and fastest way of contacting them, however, if your matter is urgent, please phone (03) 6223 6777 or 1800 001 241 if you are outside of Hobart.

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ANMF Communications and Member Engagement Officer

ANMF Communications and Member Engagement Officer Mandy Clark, recommenced visits to some aged care facilities in Southern Tasmania last week.

Mandy would like to share how pleased she is to been to finally be able to visit aged care facilities for morning or afternoon tea to catch-ups with members and new staff.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Respect Wellington Views for hosting a BBQ for their staff, and to congratulate Jo Shelverton, Saneliso Ncube, Tamara Taylor, Sandra Page for ten years or more service and dedication to their positions and the residents that they have cared for at Wellington Views.

I am looking forward to catching up with more members in the coming weeks. Everybody has done a fantastic job of keeping our elderly safe during COVID-19 pandemic. Well done!”

Masonic Care Tasmania – Peace Haven and Fred French Handover

On 11 March 2020, the ANMF wrote to management of Masonic Care Tasmania regarding member concerns that their 15 minute paid handover per shift was not being provided as required under the Nursing Enterprise Agreement. The ANMF received a response with Masonic Care Tasmania detailing that there has been an oversight in the application of the 15 minutes paid handover provision. As a result, the employer has advised that they will immediately commence payment of this time. Additionally, they have provided an offer to settle the underpayment which, for some members, goes back several years. We will continue liaising with Masonic Care Tasmania management to identify affected members and employees. If you have not already registered your details with the ANMF in regards to this matter, you can contact our Member Support Team for further details. Please note that this matter relates only to members covered by the Masonic Care Tasmania Northern Nursing Agreement.

Southern Cross Care Tasmania

Statewide

The ANMF have written to the Chair of the Board of Southern Cross Care Tasmania regarding the persistent workload issues and was seem to be excessive disciplinary matters at their facilities across the State. The ANMF have been approached by multiple members in regards to these concerns and we have made many requests to Southern Cross Care Tasmania management for resolution of these matters without success. We will now await the response from the Chair of the Board and provide an update to members once a response is received.

Yaraandoo

The ANMF on behalf of members at the Southern Cross Care Tasmania (SCCT) Yaraandoo site, have written to management raising workload concerns. We have offered to meet with SCCT management to address these concerns, however the offer was declined and a most unsatisfactory response has been received.

We have again requested an onsite meeting to resolve the issues. If SCCT continue to maintain there are no workload issues at Yaraandoo, continue to refuse meeting requests, and work collaboratively to resolve members concerns, the ANMF will have no choice but to prepare a complaint to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

We would like to make it very clear, we do not support the intimidation and/or harassment of members in their workplace. The ANMF will be working with other unions to support action to protect union members in the workplace and in doing so ensures the safety of residents and staff. You can read the full newsflash sent to members via email on 5 June 2020 here.

Eliza Purton Home

The ANMF met with management onsite at Eliza Purton Home to discuss Work Health and Safety concerns raised by members. A newsflash outlining the response of management was sent to members via email on 19 June 2020 and can be read here. If you have Work Health and Safety concerns that remain unresolved, please get in touch with us via the ANMF Member Support Team.

Updates correct as at 25 June 2020.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary