Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Tasmanian Branch Secretary Mrs Neroli Ellis will be appearing at the Independent Inquiry into Insecure Work in Australia today to present an ANF submission about the effects of insecure work on Tasmanian nurses.
“The lives of nurses, and their families, are being significantly impacted by insecure working arrangements. For the first time [...]

Following a meeting with the DHHS, under the guidance of the Deputy President of the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC), the ANF provides the following update on the implementation issues of the Heads of Agreement.
Career Structure Implementation

The nursing classifications (Grade 1 – 6) have been agreed upon. Classifications 7a, 7b, 8 and 9 are still undergoing [...]

The State Government’s mismanagement of the Tasmanian health budget has forced the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Tasmanian Branch to pursue this issue with the Federal Minister.
ANF Tasmanian Branch Secretary Mrs Neroli Ellis has met with Federal Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek MP to outline the dire situation of the Tasmanian public health system. ANF reiterated [...]

Tasmanian nurses believe that the Tasmanian Government’s failure to meet their targeted Health budget savings by 30 June 2012 is no surprise.
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Tasmanian Branch Secretary Mrs Neroli Ellis said, “To slash $100m from an essential service with no lead time or consultation on priorities, was always an impossible task and would [...]

ANF will be holding statewide membership meetings to discuss the following agenda items:

Budget Cuts
Career Structure Implementation

Fixed Term Contracts
NHpPD

Public Holiday Payment
Any other concerns

NWRH MERSEY
Tuesday 28 February 2012
1230 – 1330 hours
Latrobe Hospital
2D Classroom
NWRH BURNIE
Tuesday 28 February 2012
1430 – 1530 hours
Burnie Rural Clinical School
Multipurpose Room A

ROYAL HOBART HOSPITAL
Thursday 1 March 2012
1430 – 1530 hours
UTAS Clinical School
Keith Millingen Lecture [...]

ANF has provided a submission to the Department of Treasury and Finance regarding the 2012/13 Health Budget.
A copy of the full submission can be found here.

ANF has continued to support ANF members over the last few weeks and an outline summary of key current issues is as follows:
1.    PUBLIC SECTOR BUDGET CUTS
ANF is finalising a brochure for distribution to the public to encourage the community to contact their politicians and to reveal the real effects of the budget cuts. ANF [...]

ANF continues to assist members on fixed term contracts
Some important things for you to consider

If you are currently on a fixed term contract and have not yet contacted us, please do so as soon as possible so that we can review your individual situation in terms of seeking entitlements
All members will have their individual circumstances [...]

The following has been sent to Premier Lara Giddings further requesting confirmation of indemnity for nurses and midwives under Minsterial Direction Number 8:
Dear Premier,
Ministerial Direction Number 8 (MD8):
Granting of Indemnity against Legal Process
Further to our letter dated 6 December 2011 the Australian Nursing Federation is seeking a written assurance on behalf of nurses working in the [...]

ANF provides the below update following discussions between the DHHS, ANF, CPSU and HACSU regarding employees on fixed term contracts 
An agreement has been reached on the framework that will be used to assess those employed on fixed term contracts.    
We have agreed that there are six different categories of fixed term employment arrangements and each will [...]

Nurses across Tasmania will this afternoon end their 48 hour ban on overtime and double shifts, which is in response to the Government’s budget cuts to Health.
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Tasmanian Branch Secretary Mrs Neroli Ellis said, “The 48 hour ban on overtime highlighted that with proper planning, which included the employment of additional [...]

The ANF thanks all nurses for your invaluable support of the 48 hour bans on overtime and double shifts held this week. 
The ban on overtime and double shifts will end at 1430 hours today (Friday 16 December 2011). 
The work bans have helped to highlight the reliance the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has [...]

ANF has been advised that an investigation by Workplace Standards into Tuesday’s critical incident and evacuation at the Royal Hobart Hospital has commenced. It has been reported that in excess of thirty (30) employees presented to the Emergency Department with symptoms of toxic gas inhalation.
In consultation with Workplace Standards, ANF has been advised that affected [...]

In response to Acting CEO Jane Holden’s email which was circulated on 13 December 2011, ANF makes the following comments:

The reason ANF members across the State voted unanimously to proceed with Industrial Action, including a 48 hour ban on overtime and double shifts, is to expose that there are insufficient nurses rostered, resulting in double [...]

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has been notified of the industrial action being taken by ANF members. Nurses have the following rights:

All members have the right to participate in the industrial action
There should be no victimisation against members who participate in the action
There should be no coercion from Management to stop you [...]

ANF has provided a submission for the Parliamentary Inquiry into the cost reduction strategies of the DHHS. Thank you to those members who contributed to this paper. Please find a copy of our submission below.
ANF Submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry
Appendix A – CENA Submission
Appendix B – ANF Member Comments Regarding the Parliamentary Inquiry
Appendix C – [...]

If you took part in Go Red to Save a Bed day at one of the major hospitals, check out our photo album on Facebook and see if you can see yourself. If anyone has photos from around the state of nurses or health care workers wearing red in support of our campaign you can put them [...]

At recent Stop Work Meetings, members unanimously endorsed to introduce work bans statewide.
Patient care remains the nursing priority .
Bans will commence from 0700 Wednesday 14 December 2011. Work to rule and claim ALL entitlements. Nurses will claim:

Missed meal breaks
All hours worked and less than 8 hour break between shifts
Meal allowances

OVERTIME & DOUBLE SHIFTS
Nurses will commence [...]

Nurses across Tasmania will escalate their campaign to protect frontline health with a stop work meeting and the consideration of further industrial action. 
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Tasmanian Branch says members are frustrated and angry at the Tasmanian State Government’s actions to slash hospital beds and not continue the employment of up to 900 nurses. 
Branch [...]

The ANF encourages nurses to tell their story about the real impact of the budget cuts as part of the notified industrial action.

How are the cuts affecting you and your family situation?
How are the cuts impacting on morale in your team?
What are the consequences for your career?
What is the effect of the cuts on patients?

TV [...]

Dear Premier  
 MD8 Indemnification 
 
Nurses are concerned that the cuts to health services may have adverse outcomes for patients within the system or for persons who are unable to access services.  
While you have assured the public of Tasmania that they are not at risk because of the health cuts, your Victorian counterparts argued that bed closures by [...]

What was the impact of budget cuts for you today?
Leave a comment below and tell us how you are being affected by the Government’s cuts to frontline health care.

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Tasmanian Branch is encouraging health care workers in Tasmania to Go Red to Save a Bed on Wednesday 7 December.
Branch Secretary Neroli Ellis believes the State’s hospitals and community health sites will be a sea of red in support of protecting Tasmania’s health system against the Government’s brutal budget cuts.
“No [...]

On top of the fear of not having a job after Christmas, nurses at the RHH are having to deal with maximum capacity across multiple wards. The Emergency Department has no waiting room due to works being carried out there, and patients are sitting for hours on end waiting to be allocated beds. 
“Today we have [...]

Following yesterday’s announcement of the termination of all fixed term contracts within the DHHS, the Australian Nursing Federation (Tasmanian Branch) attended a meeting this morning with other health unions, DHHS Acting Secretary Greg Johannes and PSMO Director Frank Ogle to discuss the urgent issue of fixed term nurses and the possibility of converting to permanency.
“Today [...]

Wholesale Sackings Now on the Agenda
In a breath-taking back flip Premier Lara Giddings has walked away from talks with Public Sector unions aimed at resolving issues around employment practices relating to fixed term employees and she has decided to terminate their employment at the end of their current contracts.
Last month DHHS asked unions to a meeting [...]

ANF attended a meeting this morning to finalise conditions for fixed term nurses to convert to permanency. The Premier, who is also the Minister Administering the State Service Act 2000, has now directed that no employee on fixed term contracts will be continued, regardless of time frame or meeting CD1 criteria for conversion. Any vacant [...]

ANF is preparing a submission for a Parliamentary Inquiry (refer below) into the budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, and is seeking contribution from members regarding the effects in your worksites, including: 

Risks associated with proposed changes
Examples of continuing waste/inefficiency
Workforce planning, retention and skill sets
Better solutions
Consultation and change management processes
Potential effects on [...]

ANF presented our petition against the Government’s budget cuts to health to the Tasmanian Liberals on Tuesday 15 November 2011. The final count was an impressive 27,188!
The petition was tabled at Parliament by the Tasmanian Liberals on Wednesday 16 November 2011.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the success of this petition.

Please find below a letter to Jane Holden, Acting CEO STAHS, outlining regarding Proposed Changes to meet Budget Savings.
Consultation Document

IF SO, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PERMANENCY
If you have worked as an employee for more than twelve months on fixed term contracts without an extended break during this period, then you may meet the eligibility criteria.
Each fixed term employee will be assessed case by case on merit for “industrial” permanency. ANF encourages members to [...]

The North West community and unions will rally in Burnie tomorrow in the ongoing campaign against the State Government’s budget cuts to the Tasmanian health system.
Minister for Health Michelle O’Byrne, Shadow Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff and Ruth Forrest, Murchison MLC will attend the rally and address the crowd. Representatives working in the health sector [...]

If you are concerned about budget cuts to our health system the ANF encourages you to add your voice to ours.
You can help by calling ABC talkback radio on 1300 222 936 or emailing the following people:

Andrew Wilkie – Denison
Sid Sidebottom – Braddon

Dick Adams – Lyons
The Advocate Editor

Julie Collins – Franklin
The Examiner Editor

Geoff Lyons – [...]

Redeployment – the DHHS has an obligation to provide permanent employees with another suitable position if the service is deemed no longer required or is reduced. If a suitable position is available, you will have to accept the position unless you have valid reasons to refuse.
Redundancy – As a permanent employee you may be [...]

The Government’s planned closure of the Surgical West ward at the North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) in Burnie will commence on Monday 31 October 2011. 
The media are invited to interview nurses from Surgical West and ANF Organiser, Sue Robertson. Photo opportunities will be available. 
Neroli Ellis will be available for comment via phone or in the [...]

Nurses around the state will wear black armbands on Monday 24 October as a sign of commemoration marking the planned closure of acute beds in the Government’s ruthless cuts to elective surgery in Tasmania.
In an act of solidarity, the Australian Nursing Federation (Tasmanian Branch) and the Health and Community Services Union will be encouraging their [...]

By Neroli Ellis, ANF Secretary (Tasmania)
“Doctors and nurses are no different from any small business or occupation. They seek to maximize their income.”
That was the third paragraph of Greg Barns extraordinarily column in this paper (“Saving on the doctors’ bill”, October 17).
In paragraph six, Mr Barns also wrote: “Doctors and nurses in Tasmania, alongside parochialism, [...]

Following discussions with the DHHS, the following has been agreed in principle: 
1. Employees on fixed-term contracts will have employment until the expiry date of contract. 
2. All nurses on fixed term contracts will have their employment status individually reviewed. 
3. All Graduates will have employment until their contract expiry date. 
IF YOUR CONTRACT EXPIRES ANY TIME BEFORE THE [...]

Mental Health Service South Industrial Consultative Committee meetings continue with the recent meeting held on 10 October 2011.
The Psychiatric Emergency Nurse (PEN) Clinical Coordinator SoD is being progressed and it is intended that the role will enhance the current admission and discharge processes in Emergency Department.
A second option for the Campbell Street proposal has been [...]

ANF met with DHHS and DPAC Representatives today to discuss the management of employees on fixed term contracts.  ANF requested that the matter be addressed as a priority due to the fact that some wards will be closing and services reduced in the North-West Area Health Service as early as 24 October 2011. 
DHHS Representatives have [...]

ANF have developed a petition to Protect Frontline Health.
Please download and print copies of the petition and collect as many signatures as possible from colleagues, friends and family members.
Petitions need to be returned to ANF by Friday 4 November in order to be presented to Parliament during their next sitting.
Protect Frontline Health Petition

Nurses across the state have expressed their shock at the announcement and degree of cuts to health.
Mrs Neroli Ellis said “The results of the budget cuts to close 100 acute beds and up to five Operating Theatres across Tasmania will equate to a hospital closure. Our public hospitals currently run at over 90% occupancy [...]

ANF has slammed the spin announcement today to reduce elective surgery and calls on the Government to be honest with the community and outline the real implications of this announcement.
Mrs Neroli Ellis, ANF Branch Secretary said “The reality of this announcement is that one surgical ward will close at Burnie, reducing the bed capacity by [...]

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY RALLY
 Join ANF, CPSU and HACSU to rally against cuts to Tasmania’s Mental Health Services.
 Appeal to the Premier and the Minister for Health to:

Immediately reinstate vacant positions
Be accountable for the impact of cuts to Mental Health
Support the vulnerable and marginalised people in our community
Protect Mental Health Services

MONDAY 10 OCTOBER 2011
1300 – 1400 [...]

ANF has had numerous discussions with the DHHS and has received clarification to provide the following update:
1. The ongoing employment of casual Nurses and Midwives will not be affected and their employment will continue on an ‘as needs’ casual basis. These positions will not be terminated and will continue as per previous contracts in [...]

The second SMHS Industrial Consultative Committee met on the 14 September.
This was an opportunity for feedback from the three regional ICCs which are consulting on the local budget cut proposals.
Dr John Crawshaw confirmed the following principles;

No changes will be implemented until the proposed change had been fully discussed at the regional ICC and accepted.
Priority will [...]

Unions attended the inaugural Mental Health Services South Industrial Consultative Committee (MHSS ICC) meeting on Thursday 25 August 2011.
Chris Fox Southern Area Manager Mental Health Services tabled two draft consultative proposal documents relating to the Emergency Crisis and Assessment Team (ECAT) and the Campbell Street facility.
Unions expressed disappointment at the lack of detail and evidence [...]

ANF has written to the Minister for Health and DHHS Management (see below) advising them that in light of the directives in some sectors not to replace nurses on leave or with shorter hours, and where nurses believe patient or client care may be compromised, non-nursing bans will commence immediately upon notification to the NUM [...]

The first SMHS ICC meeting was held on 11 August and the general feedback was that is was a good starting point.
SMHS management started the meeting by acknowledging communication to this point had not been good and that some staff had been told about outcomes that had not been decided.
Unions acknowledged participatory consultation was not [...]

THE THREE unions representing workers in Tasmania’s mental health system have joined forces to oppose planned budget cuts. 
The CPSU, ANF and HACSU have met to develop a single plan to protect members’ jobs and services to the community. 
At last week’s meeting with the CEO of Mental Health Services John Crawshaw it became clear none of [...]

ANF has joined with HACSU and CPSU to create a Facebook page called ‘Save Tassie’s Mental Health’, a forum for people who care about Tasmania’s mental health sector to come together.
Follow this link and ‘Like’ this facebook page to show your support for mental health services. Forward this message on to all your Facebook contacts, [...]

The Tasmanian Government has announced that $500m needs to be saved within the Tasmanian health budget over the next four years. Public sector job cuts may be a result of this, including frontline job cuts. The ANF believes that such cuts would be detrimental to the health service in Tasmania.“ANF will not accept any frontline [...]