Newsflash: Mersey Community Hospital ED Further Reduced Opening Hours

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) were advised late yesterday by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Tasmanian Government that the opening hours at the Mersey Community Hospital (MCH) Emergency Department (ED) were to be reduced further to opening between 0800 hours and 1800 hours due to the inability to safely staff the medical practitioner’s roster.

It is understood that the reduced opening hours will be in place for three months commencing Monday 24 August 2020 while The Tasmanian Health Service (THS) works to permanently recruit medial staff to the MCH ED.

The ANMF have been provided with assurances that all staff in the MCH ED will continue to have their contracts of employment honoured and that should any requests for re-deployment occur at any stage, appropriate consultation will occur along with any penalties if agreed to proceed by the employee.

The ANMF acknowledge that during the recent period of reduced opening hours at the MCH ED, there has been some clinical care provided to some patients who have presented to the MCH ED that have needed urgent medical care which has been subsequently provided. However, the ANMF understand that this practice is one that has raised significant concern and questions by nursing staff about the resourcing, policy and legal framework that is in place to support this practice both now and into the next three months.

Annette Beechey, ANMF Organiser, will be holding a member meeting in the next couple of days to discuss members’ views to inform feedback from the ANMF to the DHHS and the Tasmanian Government. A meeting notice and message will be sent shortly.

Read the PDF version here.

Updates correct as at 20 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.

Member Support Team

Nurse and Midwife Support If you are seeking confidential support and advice, members have access to 24/7 phone support from Nurse and Midwife Support.

Nurse and Midwife Support

More latests news

North West Regional Hospital – Paediatric Unit

[siteorigin_widget class="Tribe_Image_Widget"][/siteorigin_widget]Update: North West Regional Hospital – Paediatric Unit 07 February 2019 ANMF members report that the ban on redeployment has been effective in reducing the number of shifts that members are being redeployed for. The ban resulted in the [...]

Mersey Community Hospital – Medical Ward

[siteorigin_widget class="Tribe_Image_Widget"][/siteorigin_widget]Update: Mersey Community Hospital – Medical Ward 07 February 2019 ANMF Representatives, Maree Ries and Sue-Anne Midgley along with North West Organiser, Noni Morse met with the Director of Nursing, Julie Duff and Associate Nurse Unit Manager, Simone Krane [...]

Smithton District Hospital

[siteorigin_widget class="Tribe_Image_Widget"][/siteorigin_widget]Update: Smithton District Hospital 07 February 2019 ANMF members at Smithton District Hospital have requested a follow up meeting to evaluate progress on previously raised issues. They are eager to continue working together with the ANMF to improve the [...]