ANMF COVID-19 Newsflash: Public Sector Statewide Update

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) has been attending daily COVID-19 updates with the Department of Health. At this forum the ANMF is advocating for members with regard to the significant impact the pandemic is having on their already stretched workloads.

Please see below as an update on the latest information provided at these meetings.

The ANMF has requested that members are provided with RATs to have at home to use when symptomatic. Unfortunately, excessive wait times for PCR results (or even being able to attend a booked appointment to collect a RAT) is causing unnecessary absences of nurses/midwives pending results. The Department will provide a response to this request once considered.

The ANMF again has asked about outside break spaces in all the major hospitals, with the current plans for small tents at some of the major hospitals not providing anywhere near enough space for members. The ANMF asked is there a possibility to use some undercover parking spaces and turn that area into a temporary break room, the Department will consider this request and provide a response.

The ANMF encourages members to please contact the Member Support Team with any concerns relating to COVID-19 so that we can raise these issues for you at these daily meetings. If members have any alternative suggestions for break areas in their hospitals again, we would love to hear from you so please contact us.

Launceston General Hospital (LGH)
The ANMF is also aware that, as a precautionary measure, ward 3R at the LGH is being considered as a ward for COVID positive patients who need to be in hospital for non-COVID reasons. The AMU remains the ‘COVID ward’ and any person entering into that area must first don full PPE.
We acknowledge and recognise the significant impact that COVID-19 is having on our members due to the pre-existing and challenging staffing levels in the major hospitals, and regional Primary Health sites. Your ongoing efforts do not go unnoticed by the ANMF, and we thank you for your hard work and dedication and we will continue to advocate for the resourcing that you require.

Read the PDF version here.

Updates correct as at 28 January 2022.
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.

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