Public Sector Updates – Statewide

Multidisciplinary Allowance

The ANMF wishes to provide you with an important update regarding the Multidisciplinary Allowance (MDA) as per clause 27.4 of the Nursing and Midwifery Agreement (Tasmanian State Service) 2023.

A recent matter was conciliated by the Tasmanian Industrial Commission, necessitating a review of the MDA and its application to staff, particularly where a cap has been applied at AHP 3-4.

If you believe you are eligible for the MDA and are not currently receiving it, please reach out to your manager first. If you do not see progress, contact the ANMF Member Support Team at Membersupport@anmftas.org.au for assistance.

The ANMF Challenges New Hiring Freeze!

The ANMF is raising serious concerns about the new Department of Health Vacancy Control Committee, intended to assist with budget repair. We fear this committee could compromise patient safety and delay crucial recruitment, further exacerbating staffing issues in our hospitals.

Nursing unit managers are frustrated by prolonged hiring processes, leading to the loss of top candidates. Alarmingly, filling a permanent key nursing unit manager role at the Royal Hobart Hospital was denied without explanation, worsening workload and turnover issues.

We urge the exemption of all essential clinical roles from these control measures to ensure patient safety and staff support. Nursing and midwifery roles that have been identified through the industrial process as a minimum safe staffing requirement. The current vacancy level of nursing and midwifery roles across the state is excessive and out of control; we suggest that there is NO risk in swiftly recruiting and employing competent candidates into these roles as a matter of urgency without the need to elongate bureaucratic delays.

Public Sector Your Voice is Heard!

The ANMF is acutely aware of the excessive and unreasonable workloads that you, our dedicated members, are facing at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Launceston General Hospital, North West Regional Hospital, and Mersey Community Hospital.

As a starting point, the ANMF has requested that positions vacant for over 3 months be re-advertised with the market allowance that was recently negotiated during the enterprise agreement process, to enhance recruitment prospects, starting with critical areas such as Intensive Care, Midwifery Services, Operating Theatres, and Emergency Departments and moving to other hard-to-fill positions.

Updates are correct as of 10 July 2024.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary