Every worker has the right to a safe workplace. When they go to work each day, they should fully expect to return home uninjured and in the same state of health as they left.

Occupational health and safety is the issue of complete physical, mental and social well-being within a workplace.

Ensuring safe and healthy workplaces has always been one of the fundamental roles of unions. Unions believe that when people come together, great results can be achieved.

Please read the media release from ACTU, Speak Up for health and safety: new campaign begins to inform workers of their rights, for more information about this new campaign.

The ANF Office will be closed from 1:00pm on Friday 23 December, reopening on Tuesday 3 January. On behalf of everyone at ANF, we wish a safe and healthy Christmas and New Year to all members and their families. 

For urgent assistance please call 6223 6777, 1800 001 241 (outside Hobart) or Neroli Ellis on 0408 037 589

Congratulations to the following nurses who received a Florence Nightingale Grant earlier this week to assist them to continue studies in their chosen field.

Helen Courtney-Pratt	Improving the experience of older dementia patients in the Emergency Department
Lorraine Hill	Will attend the 2011 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Conference in Florida
Jenny Kerrison	Improving health care offered to pregnant teenagers
Tracey Hemmings	Studying a Graduate Diploma of Health Specialisation
Brett Mitchell	Studying risks from Clostridium infection

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (the Board) has a new on-line facility for nursing registration

Enrolled nurses who qualify for registration as a registered nurse can now apply online

If you are an enrolled nurse who is due to complete an approved program of study that will qualify you for registration as a registered nurse, you have two options:

1. Apply online for registration as a registered nurse. You must be currently registered as an enrolled nurse with AHPRA. You will still need to provide the required supporting documentation. You need a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card and an email address to apply online.

      

2. Complete the paper form and send it into AHPRA along with the supporting documentation, as instructed on the form. Please check the forms page for available forms.

Important note:

1. If you want to give up (cease) your registration as an enrolled nurse, midwife or registered nurse, complete this form (NSUR-40). Please note:Your registration will cease when the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia receives your request, unless you specify in the form the date from which you want your registration to end. No refunds apply.

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 offered a redundancy if your position is abolished and you cannot be redeployed to another suitable position in DHHS. The redundancy can be initially offered by the Head of Agency prior to recommending to State Service Commissioner (SSC).

Fixed Term Employees – Fixed Term Employees engaged for periods in excess of twelve months without finite contract completion dates with an expectation of continuing employment may, or may not be entitled to separation in accordance with the TVRA depending on the particular circumstances of each case.

Initial offer Redundancy Package prior to recommendation to SSC – consists of:

6 months before recommending to SSC

• Incentive payment calculated at $5,000 per completed year of service up to $20,000;
• Years of service payment based on 4 weeks plus 2 weeks for each year of continuous service;
• Minimum payment of 16 weeks and Maximum payment of 48 weeks;
• Accrued leave entitlements;
• Entitlements will be calculated Pro-rata for part-time employees;
• Inability to be reemployed in the Public Sector dependent on payout amount.

3 Months following approval by SSC

• Incentive payment calculated at $2,500 per completed year of service up to $10,000;
• Years of service payment based on 4 weeks plus 2 weeks for each year of continuous service;
• Minimum payment of 16 weeks and Maximum payment of 48 weeks;
• Accrued leave entitlements;
• Entitlements will be calculated at Pro-rata for part time workers;
• Inability to be reemployed in the Public Sector dependent on payout amount.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the ANF Information Office on 6223 6777 or 1800 001 241 (outside Hobart area) or info@anftas.org.

Authorised: Neroli Ellis
Branch Secretary
31 October 2011

Thank you to all who attended last week’s emergency ANF meeting and so passionately articulated support for a community campaign.  I accept that you requested a community march and rally in the Burnie CBD, however, this takes time to plan, receive approvals, obtain police support and other union support etc.  However, as an immediate response, ANF (with short notice ) has organised a local rally this Thursday at 1400 – 1430 hours outside the Hospital. ANF has already received support from many politicians and local councillors to attend in support of nurses. HACSU and CPSU members will also be attending.

ANF Branch Council met on Friday to develop a statewide campaign strategic plan and a series of events including major community joint union rallies which are now scheduled.  The Joint Union Community Burnie Rally is scheduled for Thursday 27 October between 1300 – 1400 hours and will be held in the Burnie CBD with a march around the streets as members’ requested. ANF members will also wear black wrist bands (to be supplied) commencing on 24 October across the State to mark the closure of the first beds at NWRH.

Thank you for your ongoing support and please keep talking to the community, getting petitions signed (attached) and keeping health in the news as the critical issue.

Regards, Neroli

Neroli Ellis
Branch Secretary

Go Sober in October.  That’s the message from Life Education Tasmania, with Ocsober being launched this Saturday.

Ocsober is a fundraising initiative, and all money raised throughout the campaign goes towards funding healthy lifestyle programs delivered by Life Education to Tasmanian school children.

“As a Life Education Committee Member, I’m pleased to be taking part in Ocsober for the third year running” said Neroli Ellis, Australian Nursing Federation (Tas Branch) Secretary.

“This is a great campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drugs and I hope Tasmanians will show their support by donating to this worthy cause.”

Joining Mrs Ellis this year in the challenge to Go Sober in October are; The Hon Michelle O’Byrne, Minister for Health; The Hon Cassie O’Connor, Minster for Human Services; Jeremy Rockliff, Shadow Minister for Health and Paul O’Halloran, Shadow Spokesperson for Health, and they are all looking forward to helping Life Education and Tasmanian children.

Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne encouraged Tasmanians to take up the challenge.

Ms O’Byrne said “You don’t need alcohol to have a great time and in fact you might find you feel even better without it.

“There are so many benefits to taking this challenge – a healthier mind and body, aiding a good cause and hopefully changed community attitudes about what is safe and healthy when it comes to drinking.”

“I am very pleased to be taking part in this very worthwhile initiative and I encourage others to get involved too” said Jeremy Rockliff.

 “Not only are there the obvious health benefits but whatever we can do to highlight the dangers of alcohol abuse and the negative effect that it has on our community is a good thing.”

The public is encouraged to become involved by visiting www.ocsober.com.au, where they can register to take part, or donate money in support of Life Education.

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