Public Sector Updates – South

Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH)

Emergency Department (ED)

The ANMF met with members recently and has written on their behalf to the Emergency Department (ED) Nurse Unit Manager (NUM). A summary of managements’ response to member concerns has been provided in this recent update.

The update includes the breakdown of skill mix and the total number of new clinical positions starting in the ED, which is over 32 Full Time Equivalent (FTE). Since this summary was provided, the ANMF has requested an update about recruitment to vacant positions and has been told that recruitment is ongoing, but looking positive. The ANMF will be meeting with members again soon to discuss the ongoing matters. Please see the update for further information and ANMF Organiser contact details.

General Surgical Unit

After conducting a member meeting in the RHH General Surgical Unit (K9W) on Thursday 8 June 2023, the ANMF has written to Tasmanian Health Service (THS) management indicating members’ acceptance of proposed benchmarking outcomes (predicated upon an occupancy rate of 100%). This finalises outcomes and a formal notification, including a complete and updated e-tool, which will be forthcoming from THS in the near future.

Orthopaedic and Surgical Specialties

After conducting a member meeting in the RHH Orthopaedics and Surgical Specialties Unit (K9E) on Friday 2 June 2023, the ANMF has written to THS management indicating members’ acceptance of proposed benchmarking outcomes (predicated upon an occupancy rate of 100%). This finalises such outcomes and a formal notification, including a complete and updated e-tool, which will be forthcoming from THS in the near future.

Paediatrics and Adolescent Unit

The ANMF remain aware of the proposed instigation of a Mother Baby Unit (MBU) within K6W (the former Transition to Home Unit). As this is being run by Statewide Mental Health Services (SMHS) information regarding the Model of Care, Operational Service Model, staffing etc. is being received sporadically and in incomplete increments. Every effort will be made to update K6W staff of developments once legitimate, finalised details come to hand. SMHS’ latest position speculates an operational commencement of the MBU on either Thursday 22 or Friday 23 June 2023. The ANMF will be working to ensure that all obligations to consultation on the plans is upheld by all stakeholders.

Ambulatory Care Centre (ACC)

The ANMF conducted a member meeting in THE RHH Ambulatory Care Centre (ACC) on Tuesday 6 June 2023, which was well attended and resulted in robust discussion of current nursing considerations within the unit. The ANMF has committed to follow-up the agreed actions with various THS management. Another member meeting likely to be held in the near future. Members are thanked for their valuable contributions on all matters.

Adult Community Mental Health Service Continuing Care Teams

The ANMF recently met with members and management in relation to ongoing concerns around reform. The ANMF has written formally to the Statewide Mental Health Services (SMHS) acting Executive Director to confirm and clarify the status of current negotiations, as well as to raise new concerns around issues previously raised that have not been resolved through reform. View the latest update.

A response to the ANMF’s most recent letter to SMHS management is due on Monday 19 June 2023. Once a response is received the ANMF will send out a newsflash summary and arrange a member meeting.

Correctional Primary Health Service

The ANMF recently met with members in the Correctional Primary Health Service (CPHS) who raised a number of concerns, which members authorised the ANMF to escalate to their Group Director.

A summary of the questions and responses received was sent to members, see the latest update. A meeting was scheduled for last week but unfortunately had to be cancelled and the ANMF apologise for any inconvenience caused. A survey in relation to the roster pattern matter and further meeting time will be arranged and communicated to members soon.

Millbrook Rise Centre, Roy Fagan Centre, Mistral Place and Tolosa Street

The ANMF has visited the above sites in relation to their 12 hour rosters, shift patterns and paid or unpaid meal breaks. The ANMF question raised related matters several weeks ago with Industrial Relations (IR) and Human Resources (HR) for the Department of Health but at this time there has been no outcome.

Some members will remember, a Workplace Flexibility Agreement (WFA) was developed to prescribe how 12 hour shifts at these sites should operate and be compensated. IR/HR have since advised that as per the Nurses and Midwives (Tasmanian State Service) Award, they will need to register an agreement under Section 55 of the Industrial Relations Act. A formal proposal to resolve this matter is yet to be made by the service. The ANMF will be escalating this matter to a formal grievance this week, as endorsed by our members at a recent meeting at Millbrook Rise Centre (MRC). We are seeking consultation to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. A newsflash update will be sent to members with the details. If you have any questions, please contact Senior Organiser Jenna Bowling at Jenna.Bowling@anmftas.org.au.

Bruny Island Community Health Centre (BICHC)

The ANMF has been engaged in ongoing negotiations outside of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC) about a matter of the second on-call staff member at the Bruny Island Community Health Centre and the proposed removal of this position. It is our members firm opinion that the second on-call staff member is needed and has been validated through recent data collection and reporting. Throughout these negotiations the Tasmania Health Service (THS) has been slow in their responses and provision of updates. At this time, it is still unknown what the future may hold for the second on-call. Members anxiously await an end to what has been a tumultuous few months. The ANMF will be writing to the THS again this week to seek the next steps and implore an end to the reckless and unsafe removal of such a critical resource on Bruny Island. Any members wishing to provide feedback can do so by contacting Senior Southern Organiser Jenna Bowling via email at Jenna.Bowling@anmftas.org.au.

Updates correct as at 14 June 2023.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary

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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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