Public sector updates: southern region - Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Tasmanian Branch)

Southern Public Sector News

Royal Hobart Hospital

Ward K9W – General Surgical Unit

The ANMF conducted a meeting with members of the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) General Surgical Unit on Friday 31 July 2020, to relay feedback from Tasmanian Health Service (THS) Management regarding the Step 1 Workload Grievance. As a result of ensuing discussions, members resolved to advance this procedure to a Step 2. The ANMF will relay the date of the first specialist panel meeting once it has been confirmed. We will continue to provide members working in this area with regular updates as the process progresses.

Emergency Department

The ANMF conducted a meeting with members at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) Emergency Department (ED) on Friday 24 July 2020, to discuss issues relating to current workloads and staffing issues. During this meeting consideration to regular ED activities in conjunction with Respiratory ED practices were raised as ongoing challenges for staff. The ANMF will continue to advocate for members on these matters and anticipate escalating these observations to Tasmanian Health Service management as a priority.

Education Department

The ANMF has received a Change Proposal, dated 9 July 2020, related to the Centre for Education and Research and the Tasmanian Health Services’ intent to restructure duties within the Preceptor Education & Training Program. If any member wish to voice their observations or concerns regarding this matter please email our Member Support Team with your feedback.

COVID-19 Testing Centre – PW1 Building

The ANMF has received contact from members working within the COVID-19 testing facility located at Hobart’s PW1 building. As a result, we have made contact with the Tasmanian Health Service to raise several identified issues. The ANMF attended the site on the morning of Tuesday 4 August 2020 to observe daily activities and meet with members.

Psychiatric Emergency Nurses (PENs)

The ANMF submitted a response to the draft proposed trial parameters for the Mental Health Short Stay Unit (MHSSU) on 10 July 2020. The letter was the result of a long period of consultation with members regarding the proposed changes in which members provided detailed feedback on their thoughts about the trial. A meeting was held with Mental Heath Services management on Wednesday 22 July 2020, to discuss this feedback. A further meeting has been scheduled for Thursday 6 August 2020, to discuss remaining points in the letter. Presently there is no agreement between the ANMF, our members, and Mental Health Services Management around how to move forward with the trial.

At this stage the matter will be referred back to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission, as per the Nurses and Midwives (Tasmanian State Service) Award 2020, Part VIII – Consultation and Change: Workload Management Grievance and Dispute Resolution, Clause 3 (e) – If the issue(s) remains unresolved, either party may refer the dispute /grievance to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission for conciliation /arbitration and settlement.

If you have any concerns or questions around this, please don’t hesitate to contact ANMF Organiser Jenna Bowling or Phoebe Mansell.

Mental Health Inpatient Unit

The ANMF has been advised that the move to K-Block has now been completed for the Mental Health Inpatient Unit (MHIU), formally known as the Department of Psychiatry (DoP). Concerns have been raised in relation to a plan to switch off the nurse’s station live feed of the HDU cameras that are situated in patient’s bedrooms. Cameras have been operational with a live feed to the nurse’s station for the past 15 years. The concerns that have been raised are in relation to the affect this may have on clinical care and safety of the patients. An email from the ANMF outlining these concerns has been sent to all MHIU members. A copy is also available here.

Updates correct as at 6 August 2020.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary

ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT

Member Support Team: The ANMF Tasmanian Branch is 8000 plus members strong! Supporting nurses, midwives, and care workers as the only union in Tasmania employing nurses and care workers to represent members. This is why our Organisers and Member Support Team are uniquely positioned to understand your experiences, represent you in your workplace, and offer industrial advice that’s relevant to you. Please contact our Member Support Team if you need workplace support, would like to discuss any matters or raise a concern. Alternatively, you can send an email outlining your concerns to our team - membersupport@anmftas.org.au. Email is the preferred and fastest way of contacting the team, 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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