Public Sector Updates – North

Launceston General Hospital (LGH)

Overarching

The ANMF has been advocating for members at the LGH and across the state in relation to the developing COVID-19 situation. The ANMF has attended daily meetings with the Department of Health to ensure member concerns can be raised almost immediately in order to enable a timely response.

The Crisis Assessment Triage Team (CATT)

The ANMF has received a response from Mental Health Services (MHS) management regarding the Step 2 Grievance currently in progress for the CATT. MHS has confirmed that; 10-hour shifts will be proposed, and a formal change proposal will be sent shortly, a willingness to meet with the ANMF to progress the Clinical Liaison Nurse (CLN) proposal as well as a working group to develop a nursing workload tool. Further update to follow once working group meeting dates and times are set.

Emergency Department (ED)

On Monday 17 January 2022, the ANMF attended the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC) for a report back in relation to the workloads at the LGH ED. A further report back meeting is scheduled for Monday 24 January 2021. The following outcomes have been achieved:

1. Implement a 4^th Nurse or an “assistant” to the hot zone, “assistant” to be an aide, Assistant in Nursing (AIN) or Health Care Assistant (HCA) to assist with
   non-nursing duties.
2. Consideration that Enrolled Nurses (ENs) be included in the short term when RNs are not available to assist with the ED COVID-19 response
3. Exit Survey to be forwarded to the ANMF
4. Review by the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) with regards to the leave entitlements of RNs who have transferred to other agencies
5. 6 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) current vacancies recruitment to full complement expected by Sunday 13 February 2022, recruitment process continues
6. Review other services

Updates correct as at 20 January 2022.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary