FEATURE

Health Recruitment Taskforce

The ANMF attended the inaugural Health Recruitment Taskforce on Wednesday 22 June 2021. The Taskforce was convened following a commitment by the Government during the state election to address the risks associated with the high vacancy rate of nurses and midwives in Tasmania and how recruitment can be better facilitated.

The ANMF raised the challenges that vacancies are causing on our members across the state in the public sector and the impact that this is also having on fatigue, burn out, double shifts, sick leave and the need to focus on retention strategies as well as recruitment. This proposal was accepted by the Taskforce.

The ANMF raised a number of strategies to assist with recruitment and retention of nursing and midwifery staff including: Employing all graduate nurses in Tasmania with;

Additional Clinical Nurse Educators and Clinical Facilitators
Improving base salary rates in Tasmania to be competitive with other State and Territories
Ensuring the existing workload models are fully implemented and resourced to ensure current safe staffing to reduce overtime, double shifts and in turn sick leave
Provide adequate accommodation to nurses and midwives who are relocating to Tasmanian as transitional accommodation till permanent accommodation (rental or purchased) is sourced
Provide accommodation in remote areas like Queenstown to nurses and midwives working at these sites where required to encourage employment
Provide incentives to any nurse and midwife who provides advanced notice of their resignation (over the minimum 2 weeks)

There were also presentations of key preliminary priorities out of the Health Workforce 2040 consultation as well as improvements that have been made to the recruitment and page up process.

The Health Recruitment Taskforce will meet again in a month to begin working on a prioritisation process of key recruitment and retention process as well as the key solutions required.

Updates correct as at 24 June 2021.
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

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