Public Sector Updates – North

Launceston General Hospital

Safe Staffing Committee

On Thursday 1 April 2021, the ANMF attended the Launceston General Hospital Safe Staffing Committee meeting. At the meeting, the ANMF asked the THS to confirm if the areas benchmarked in late 2020 have had their FTE approved for fixed-term recruitment pending permanent recruitment once approval of business cases was made by Executive. Unfortunately, management has indicated that the fixed term FTE has not been approved and further business cases for permanent FTE into these positions are either not developed or sitting with Executive awaiting approval. Click here to read the latest update.

Operating Room Suite

The ANMF has been progressing the Launceston General Hospital Operating Room Suite workload grievance. A full update has been sent to members via email and can be read here.

Ward 4O/B

The THS has committed to roster seven midwives on night duty and fill these positions fixed-term pending a reassessment of Birth Rate Plus. The ANMF will be arranging a meeting with members to ascertain any improvements made as a result of this extra night duty midwife and to establish what further work needs to be done in respect to ward 4O/B midwifery workloads.

Emergency Department

The ANMF has lodged an application in the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC) following the agreed increase to staffing levels at the Launceston General Hospital Emergency Department being rejected. ANMF has been advised of a conference which is set for Friday 7 May 2021. The ANMF understands that workload pressures in the Launceston General Hospital Emergency Department continue in an unmitigated fashion. Therefore, members are encouraged to complete the ANMF Emergency Department Electronic workload form each time they experience a shift with unsafe workloads. Read the latest update here or click here to access the workload survey.

Ward 5B

The ANMF has developed an electronic workload form for our members working on 5B at the Launceston General Hospital to record workload concerns. The information collected will be used to identify shortfalls in staffing and themes driving workloads. Please click here to access the form via the latest update sent to members.

Holman Clinic

The ANMF has emailed the THS regarding holding a further working group meeting to progress consultation regarding the ‘floor support’ trial and to monitor this as a strategy to improve skill mix and availability of more experienced staff for leave backfill. The ANMF has nominated times and dates for the week commencing 19 April 2021. Further updates to follow via email.

Ward 3R

The ANMF has been contacted by members on 3R expressing concerns with their current staffing levels, workloads, working short on shifts, overtime, and double shifts. The ANMF will be scheduling a meeting with members for the week beginning 19 April 2021. This meeting will be conducted to better understand the impact for 3R and to identify a plan to resolve members workload and safe patient care concerns. More details about the meeting time will be sent to members via email shortly. Click here to read the latest update.

Updates correct as at 15 April 2021.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary