Aged Care Updates – Statewide

Southern Cross Care Tasmania (SCCT)

WorkSafe Tasmania’s outcome following COVID-19 outbreaks at Guilford Young Grove (GYG) and Rosary Gardens (RG)

The ANMF received a letter of outcome from WorkSafe Tasmania regarding SCCT failure to support staff at GYG and RG. WorkSafe Tasmania agreed with ANMF members that SCCT had a well-developed plan. This plan took several years to finalise, causing significant delay to the Enterprise Agreement (EA) progression, and was well resourced by the Federal government. Despite the plan, ANMF members reported that when the outbreaks occurred in successive weekends at these sites, SCCT nursing staff, who were already overstretched, were left without any managerial response, assistance, or clinical oversight for several days, rendering the plan worthless and resulting in significant outbreaks among the residents and staff at both sites. The ANMF will correspond with SCCT to request greater collaboration with nursing staff in future and improved clinical support in all areas.

Changes to leadership at SCCT

SCCT reports the much-needed recruitment of three new Facility Managers in the coming weeks. If successful, this may provide for a manager at every SCCT site.

Underpayments Issue

Apparently SCCT is close to finalising this issue. Look out for internal memo and communication. The ANMF is pressing SCCT to structure any payments in a way that will minimise members taxation burden.

The ANMF still encourages members to feedback issues related to absence or instability of leadership in SCCT sites, especially in COVID-19 management. Members are encouraged to look after themselves and their colleagues in these unreasonable situations. Use internal SCCT reporting systems, and escalate to next level management if you can, to highlight the impact on your workload and morale. Notify the ANMF if you are unable to get a response from your internal systems, and managers. Also, notify the ANMF if you are ordered to attend a one-to-one meeting so we can follow up and ensure procedural fairness and support.

Enterprise Agreement

The ANMF Industrial Team is currently looking over the final Draft EA document prior to SCCT putting the EA to a vote in coming weeks. Look out for a newsflash with detail of any changes.

Changes to Servery and Catering

The ANMF has been made aware these changes are still affecting members, staff, and residents and we strongly encourage members to continue to let SCCT know how these changes are affecting your role.

Rosary Gardens

The ANMF met with members regarding clinical support issues at Rosary Gardens. An email has been sent to senior management at SCCT requesting action. This looks to have resulted in a further loss of staff resulting from SCCT reluctance to listen and act on ANMF member concerns.

Guilford Young Grove

Members at GYG have expressed concern regarding management removing outdoor break facilities. The ANMF will look to follow up with members to find suitable alternatives soon.

Updates correct as at 7 July 2022.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary