Holman Clinic
On 10 August 2020, the ANMF wrote to Tasmanian Health Service management to request that a Step 2 specialist panel be established in relation to the Workload Grievance that has been outstanding since November 2019. The matter of concern raised by the ANMF is that the identified increase in FTE from the August 2019 benchmarking is not being implemented as permanent FTE.
Instead THS are seeking to continue another 6-month fixed term arrangement. This is an unsatisfactory situation due to the imbalance created with skill mix with the impending retirement of senior staff. Further there is the potential for a loss of newly upskilled nurses due to the fixed term period not being able to be extended for a third time. Further updates to follow.
Beaconsfield District Health Service
On Friday 7 August 2020, the ANMF met with members at Beaconsfield District Health Service (BDHS). Members detailed workload concerns relating to roster vacancies, working short, no after hours concierge service to manage COVID-19 screening of visitors and COVID-19 related management protocols. The ANMF met with Tasmanian Health Service management to discuss the solution of recruiting to the identified increase in FTE via the proposed District Hospital Staffing Model. Unfortunately this option was unable to be progressed as a result of Tasmanian Health Service executive not approving the business case for the model. The ANMF is now considering the options not only for BDHS but for all of the primary health sites across the state. In the interim we will proceed with developing workload forms for members to fill out in order to document the drivers of workload. A follow up meeting will be scheduled with members shortly.
