Public Sector Updates – North West

North West Regional Hospital (NWRH)

Medical Ward, Acute Medical Unit, Med C Benchmarking and Step 2 Grievance

The ANMF met with North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) Medical Ward members to discuss the progress of outcomes for the previously raised workload concern. ANMF Medical Ward members continue to raise skill mix, rostering, and other workload concerns. The ANMF will escalate the concerns with Tasmanian Health Service (THS) senior management. ANMF members have reserved their right to pursue outcomes via the Industrial process.

Mersey Community Hospital (MCH)

Medical Ward Benchmarking

ANMF Mersey Community Hospital (MCH) Medical Ward members have endorsed the benchmarking for 2022-2023 noting:

• A benchmark of 5.92 Nursing Hours per Patient Day (NHpPD)
• Assistant in Nursing (AIN) weighting of 25%
• Request for clinical facilitator of 3.0 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) is submitted.
• The baseline roster is for 30 beds, for the purposes of clarity 31-33 patients requires 1 extra nurse per day and afternoon shift.

The ANMF would like to thank all members involved in the benchmarking process, together.

Emergency Department (ED)

The ANMF MCH ED members have formally endorsed the 2022-2023 direct care FTE of 38.04 which supports the current roster. Following ANMF advocacy a review of category 8 data equates to an extra 0.1 FTE. The Nursing Director of Operations has offered to submit a request for the hours in addition to the benchmarked FTE.

Medical Day Procedure Unit – Step 2 Grievance

ANMF members have been advised that the 0.84 FTE Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) position that would resolve the Step 2 Grievance had been advertised, however on Monday 13 November 2023 the advertisement has been redacted. The ANMF sought clarity and have been advised that the Statement of Duties (SoD) contained errors which has subsequently been corrected. As of Tuesday 21 November 2023, a fixed term 0.63 FTE NUM has been appointed for period 4 December 2023 – 02 February 2024 and a pageup has been submitted seeking advertisement and appointment of a 0.84 FTE NUM for a period of twelve months per approval from the Chief Executive. The ANMF will monitor progress on behalf of members.

Close Observation Unit (COU) Step 1 Grievance

The ANMF, on behalf of MCH Close Observation Unit (COU) members, raised a Step 1 workload Grievance in August 2023. The THS’s response to the grievance included a temporary increase in rostered hours of the 0.58 FTE Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) position, whilst a review of the position and service planning was undertaken. The ANMF has been advised that the NUM hours have now reverted to the original FTE. ANMF members assert this does not adequately meet the clinical and governance leadership for the unit. The ANMF, on behalf of members, will formally raise the concerns. Keep an eye on your email inbox for updates.

Updates are correct as of 29 November 2023.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary