Public Sector Updates – North West

Mersey Community Hospital (MCH) Benchmarking

The ANMF has been attending Benchmarking meetings at MCH, with discussions to date covering the Close Observation Unit (COU), Rehabilitation, and Medical wards.

COU and Rehab Wards

No changes have been proposed to the current staffing profiles.

Medical Ward

Management has proposed staffing changes that would see Assistant in Nursing (AIN) positions replacing some Registered Nurses (RNs) and Enrolled Nurses (ENs) on shift. Based on current modelling, this would reduce the RN skill mix to only 50–60%, which is below the minimum 70% RN benchmark previously agreed to by the Tasmanian Health Service (THS).

ANMF Concerns: We have raised concerns that this proposal could compromise safe staffing and clinical care standards.

Member Survey: A survey is now open for Medical Ward members to provide feedback on the proposed changes. Your input is critical and will determine whether the ANMF endorses or rejects the proposed staffing profile. The survey will be open until 21 May 2025.

Next Steps: Please complete the survey as soon as possible. The ANMF will use this feedback to inform our position when responding to MCH management.

Emergency Department (ED)

The ANMF will be onsite for the benchmarking meeting for the Emergency Department (ED) on Thursday 15 May 2025 at 1400hrs, staff and members are encouraged to attend and hear about potential changes to staffing in the ED.

Theatre and Day Surgery Unit

The ANMF has received a response to the communication sent last week regarding changes to shift times that were implemented without appropriate staff and union consultation at the Mersey Community Hospital (MCH) Theatre and Day Surgery Unit (DSU). After the latest update (link below) THS has now confirmed a meeting with the ANMF to discuss the issue raised by members. View the latest update.

Updates are correct as of 15 May 2025.
Authorised by Phoebe Mansell, ANMF Tasmanian Acting Branch Secretary