ANMF Seek Answers From Department at Industrial Commission

The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) will today attend the Tasmanian Industrial Commission on behalf of members to seek solutions to address ongoing short staffing across the State’s major hospitals.

“The ANMF is perplexed by data provided by the Department in relation to their current vacancy rates, where the Department has reported just over 33 FTE vacant positions at the LGH when we know that there are over 44 FTE vacant in the LGH ED alone,” ANMF Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said.

“Further to this, they have reported that there are only just over 45 FTE vacant at the RHH when one ward itself is reporting well over 10 FTE vacant.

“The Department is either completely disconnected and unaware of the breadth and depth of the short staffing issues, or they are deliberately intending to mislead the ANMF and its members.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF has attempted to work in good faith with the Department since September, following Statewide industrial action due to short staffing and workloads.

“Despite commitments to address the staffing vacancy with immediate agency use, members are still reporting significant workloads and understaffing.

“It simply is not good enough for the Department to say that they have drafted good rostering practice guidelines, or a guideline on how to determine when a clinical area may need a clinical coach.

“This is window dressing to cover up the issue of  insufficient staff.

“The Department is in breach of the Industrial agreement every single day and has been for years. Our members have had to bear the weight of keeping the Health Service running to their own detriment.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF will participate in conciliation today, but will have no hesitation in proceeding to arbitration if the Department does not provide tangible and immediate solutions to address their members’ ongoing staffing issues.

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Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: Emily.Shepherd@anmftas.org.au