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 nurses and support staff during this period, overtime was reduced. This clearly demonstrates we need more nurses not less to cope with the current demand.”

“Despite the ban, nurses working in some specialty areas (paediatrics and neonatal /paediatric intensive care) still worked overtime/double shifts, as patients would have been put at risk and potentially would have had to be flown to Melbourne.”

ANF calls on the DHHS to review their decision to not continue employment of hundreds of nurses once their contracts end.

“Additionally, ANF has requested the DHHS fix their Human Resource Management which has left vacancies and employment on fixed term contracts, in areas where overtime is worked to cover the roster shortages. This poor management is costing money, but more importantly is affecting patient care and is not sustainable for nurses.”

Neroli Ellis said, “Nurses goodwill to work additional hours is what is holding our health system together. It is not in the best interest for patients, nurses or the bottom line to continue expecting nurses to work overtime when we have nurses now going to Centrelink to pay the rent.”

“Nurses won’t walk away from a patient in need. And it is with the best interests of the community in mind that we have decided to lift our ongoing ban against nurses undertaking non-nursing duties and overtime,” said Mrs Ellis.

Media enquiries – Neroli Ellis, 0408 037 589

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 Secretary Neroli Ellis said, “Nurses are still working double shifts and overtime to cope with the hospitals running near 100% occupancy, whilst the DHHS now terminates nurses on fixed term contracts. This is not a cost saving and despite the risks identified by nurses, the Government is unwavering in its short-sighted attempt to cut costs, which is now putting patient care at risk. 

“We understand the seriousness of stop work action, but this Government has pushed us to the point where we have no other option.” 

Nurses will maintain their duty of care to patients, and wards will be staffed safely during the stop work action. Attendance at the stop work rally is in unpaid time. 

“The ANF has also written to the Premier to seek an assurance from the Government that nurses will be granted full indemnity in the event of an adverse outcome that may occur as a result of these budget cuts,” said Mrs Ellis. 

“The Government must be held accountable for the decisions they are enforcing and the public needs to be assured they will receive the service they require”. 

Launceston General Hospital 

 1430 – 1530 hours Thursday 8 December Front Entrance 

North West Regional Hospital 

1430 – 1530 hours Friday 9 December Main Entrance Burnie Campus 

Royal Hobart Hospital 

1430 – 1530 hours Monday 12 December Liverpool Street Main Entrance 

Tasmanian nurses and Neroli Ellis (ANF Branch Secretary) will be available for interviews.Media enquiries: Neroli Ellis, 0408 037 589

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 nurse or health care worker wants to see people unable to receive the health treatment they need and deserve,” said Branch Secretary Neroli Ellis.

“Community support against the Government’s budget cuts to health is growing, as they are just as passionate about ensuring their loved ones receive the care they need in times of illness.”

Nurses will be supported in their fight to protect frontline health by a champion of nursing, ACTU Federal President Ged Kearney, who is also the former Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation.

What: Neroli Ellis, ANF Tas Branch Secretary and Ged Kearney, ACTU Federal President speak in support of go Red to Save a Bed

Where: RHH Liverpool Street front entrance

When: 1230 hours, Wednesday 7 December 2011

Media enquiries: Neroli Ellis, 0408 037 589

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 had a glimpse of what our health system will be like once the government has finished slashing the budget” said Neroli Ellis, Branch Secretary, Australian Nursing Federation (Tasmanian Branch). 

“We have multiple wards operating at maximum capacity and beyond, major works being carried out throughout the hospital, patients having their surgery cancelled and patients just sitting and waiting because there aren’t enough beds”. 

Nurses are also struggling to cope with their Christmas rosters which were released on Friday. These rosters show many of their colleagues on fixed term contracts ending. 

Also today: 

• Nine cases of elective surgery were cancelled due to no beds being available within the hospital
• NPICU nurses have been advised that no fixed term contracts will be renewed despite the fact that nurses are working double shifts daily
• A dedicated stroke patient arrived in the Emergency Department on Monday night and was still waiting for a bed on Tuesday afternoon
• One ward has ten nurses finishing up after Christmas

“When wards are running at capacity we need all the nurses we can get. How will they cope with ten less nurses – and this is only one ward!” 

“Will it take a death in the Emergency Department waiting area for the Government to admit they are wrong?” asks Mrs Ellis. 

Media enquiries: Neroli Ellis, 0408 037 589 

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 was productive in that we were able to meet together and identify issues,” said Branch Secretary Neroli Ellis, “however, there still remains grey areas and a lack of clarity around this issue.”

“Despite the Premier denying the directive had been given, an apology was given to the unions for the incorrect information provided by DHHS and PSMO representatives at yesterday’s meeting. This is clearly evidence of a lack of departmental management” said Mrs Ellis.

A further meeting has been scheduled for Friday 2 December.

Media enquiries: Neroli Ellis, 0408 037 589

The Community want to protect Tasmania’s health system. That’s the message from the 27,000 signatures on the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF), Tasmanian Branch’s petition against the Government’s budget cuts to health.

ANF Branch Secretary Mrs Neroli Ellis said, “The Community support has been overwhelming and they have shown amazing support for our petition against the brutal Government cuts. The voters are speaking out and ANF will keep fighting to get our vital hospital beds back open.”

“The first surgical ward has already closed and 25 beds will close at the Royal Hobart Hospital over the next 10 days with a proposal to cut 75 full time equivalent staff, of which 52 FTE are nursing positions. The majority of our graduate nurses completing their graduate year program will not have any further employment.”

“It has been reported in Parliament today that 135 frontline full time positions have already been removed, whereas only 65 corporate DHHS positions have been cut. This demonstrates that this minority Government has the wrong priorities.” said Mrs Ellis.

“Northern Area Health Service CEO, John Kirwan has been honest today admitting these cuts will mean a wait of five years for Category 3 elective surgery. This is the reality and it will only get worse as acute beds start to close.”

Nurse Unit Manager in Clinics at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Kim Ford, who delivered the petition toady, says that the nurses she works with are concerned about the impact budget cuts will have on patients. “A longer wait for surgery will result in a more complex operation with a longer recovery period; and some patients will unnecessarily end up in an emergency situation.

“We are proud to give our patients the health care they need and deserve, and that’s what we want to be able to continue to do.” 

The petition will be tabled in Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday 16 November 2011).

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 will also speak on the day.
Australian Nursing Federation (Tasmanian Branch) Secretary, Neroli Ellis, said “The community are now realising exactly what these cuts mean and we have already gained over 10,000 signatures on our petition. The rally is an opportunity for the community to show their support for their health system and we encourage everyone to attend.”
HACSU Assistant State Secretary, Tim Jacobson, said “The rally held last week in Launceston clearly demonstrated that the State Government has no support from the Tasmanian Community in what they are doing to Tasmania’s Health and Human Services. The Government must review its strategy and ensure that the most vulnerable Tasmanians have continued access to their Health and Human Services.”
Community and Public Sector General Secretary, Tom Lynch, said “Tasmanians are sick and tired of hearing the Government’s story about having no hay in the barn and no option but to slash basic services. Good government is about setting priorities and this Government has shown it has its priorities all wrong.”
Members of the public are invited to attend and support Tasmania’s health system.
What: Community/Joint Union Rally
Where: Burnie Arts & Function Centre (77-79 Wilmot Street, Burnie)
When: Thursday 3 November 12.00 – 1.00pm

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 ANF Launceston Office at 76 York Street. 

What: Surgical West Bed Closures 

Where: Corridor outside Surgical West 

North West Regional Hospital Burnie 

When: Monday 31 October 2.30pm 

“This marks the beginning of Tasmania’s health system demise. 16 acute surgical beds will close, which will put immediate pressure on the Emergency Department, with reduced bed access and safe patient care” said Branch Secretary Mrs Neroli Ellis. 

For further information, please contact Neroli Ellis on 0408 037 589

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 members around the State to continue wearing these bands until the Government sees the error in their ways, and reverses the decision to close major wards around Tasmania.

ANF Branch Secretary Mrs Neroli Ellis states, “Our members are mourning the closure of wards in our major hospitals.

“The armbands are a symbol of the death of Tasmania’s health system, and will ensure that the public and the Government are aware of the ramifications of these cuts.”

Other industrial action being taken by ANF members around the State is the wearing of ANF t-shirts and stickers and handing postcards to patients and family members with a message to contact the Health Minister about any delays in treatment time experienced.

“We want to incorporate the community in our message to Michelle O’Byrne; these cuts will have the biggest effect on the general public.”

For further information, please contact Neroli Ellis on 0408 037 589

Wednesday 12 October 2011 marks the third National Perioperative Nurses Day – but unfortunately there isn’t much to celebrate.

National Perioperative Nurses Day recognises the contributions that perioperative nurses make to the health care of Australia. These nurses, who work within operating theatres, play a vital role within the hospital, but often remain unseen and uncelebrated. They are the nurses who care for you while you are undertaking an operation and who advocate for you when you are not able to do so for yourself. They are worth celebrating.

This year’s celebrations will be quashed by the Government’s cuts to elective surgery, which are occurring across the State.

ANF Branch Secretary, Mrs Neroli Ellis said “We wish we could be celebrating this day, but unfortunately we cannot.”

“With cuts to elective surgery occurring across the State, it is a high possibility that we will lose many of these extremely skilled nurses to other states.”

The ANF believes these cuts are not in line with responsible workforce planning.

“There is a chronic shortage of trained theatre staff in Tasmania and this will result in a nursing shortage when elective surgery is resumed. The Government must ensure that there is no ultimate impact on the Tasmanian community.”

ANF supports the Tasmanian Operating Room Nurse Incorporation (TORN) in these turbulent times for the Tasmanian Health system and their commitment to the service they deliver to their patients.

Media enquiries:  Neroli Ellis on 0408 037 589

Recent announcements about job cuts in Mental Health within the public sector have left Tasmanian mental health workers angry and concerned about their clients. Monday 10^th October is World Mental Health Day and this is the start of Mental Health Week.

ANF Branch Secretary Mrs Neroli Ellis states, “Tasmanians are not celebrating World Mental Health Day because we are now experiencing the desecration of mental health services through budget cuts to this vulnerable sector of our community. We welcome community support to join all health care workers at this community rally”

A recent survey of Mental Health Nurses has shown that over 95% of nurses working in the sector think there are existing service delivery issues within mental health, and that cost cutting will further impact on client care. There is also an overwhelming belief that service cuts will put nurses in danger within the workplace. (Further survey results can be found on the attached flier.)

The Australian Nursing Federation is holding a joint union rally with CPSU and HACSU to Save Tassie’s Mental Health outside the Executive Building, Murray Street Hobart, at 1.00 pm on Monday 10 October.

Minister for Health, The Hon Michelle O’Byrne, will address the rally. Shadow Minister for Health, Jeremy Rockliff, will also be attending the rally and showing his support for health in Tasmania.

Unions will be joined by Mental Health Representatives and The Tasmanian Grassroots Choir will perform.

Members of the public are invited to attend and support Tasmania’s health system.

What:                Joint Union Rally

Where:             Executive Building, 15 Murray Street Hobart

When:               Monday 10 October 2011, 1.00 – 2.00 pm

For further information, please contact Neroli Ellis on 0408 037 589

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 and these closures will place unsafe pressures on our emergency departments and many patients will slip through the cracks and not wait unbearable hours to be seen. This will result in adverse outcomes and potentially a death in Tasmania.”

“The announcements for the RHH today were only the beginning. The RHH is being hit the hardest with a direction to reduce elective surgery for three years, and forward estimates of $92m additional savings over the next two years. This level of cutbacks will result in no elective surgery in the South, while those people living near Latrobe will enjoy full access to elective surgery due the guaranteed Federal funding for the Mersey Hospital.”

“This is inequitable and appalling to effectively downgrade Tasmania’s major tertiary teaching hospital and put it at risk of losing that accreditation”

“This Government spent millions developing a statewide health strategy, the Tasmanian Health Plan, which recommended an increase of 345 inpatient beds by 2016, not a slashing of 100 beds. This Government needs to stick to the clear strategy which will meet our health needs or be negligent as a Government in not providing essential services.”

For further information, please contact Neroli Ellis on 0408 037 589

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 24 beds and up to two wards and two theatre suites will close at the LGH with more closures inevitable at the RHH, which is awaiting the announcement tomorrow.”

We are clearly very concerned about what the implications are for the RHH as the greatest cuts will be made here with $10.7 million savings announced. This can only result in bed closures in addition to closure of the operating suites and a pressure situation to admit emergency admissions.

“We are struggling to meet the current demands with patients waiting hours if not days in Emergency Departments across the State, ambulances ramping and nurses still working double shifts due to the patient demands. This makes this announcement bordering on negligence to dramatically reduce beds which result in greater bed access block and ambulance ramping. Is this the sort of health system Tasmanians should accept?”

“Nurses were in tears today following the announcements and their prime concerns were around the impacts on patients and their community.  Hundreds of DHHS staff will lose their jobs and the Minister still states these bed closures will not impact on patient care.”

“Health appears to be taking the brunt of the Government’s  budget mismanagement, putting people’s health at risk while minimal cuts are being made to other departments such as Economic Development. Is health worth less than sporting events now?

For further information, please contact Neroli Ellis on 0408037589

Seniors Week (1 – 7 October 2011) is the time for older Australians to reflect on their contribution to society and celebrate what they have achieved. The nursing workforce is an aging demographic and older nurses in Tasmania are still giving a lot of themselves to their patients and society.

To celebrate members’ involvement in providing healthcare in Tasmania, the Australian Nursing Federation is holding morning teas around the State for those nurses aged over 55 years.

‘Over 20 percent of our member base is aged over 55 years, and they are still making a valuable contribution and working within Tasmania’s hospitals and health care system’ says Neroli Ellis, Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Tasmanian Branch State Secretary.

‘This high number should be sending alarm bells ringing with the Minister for Health  highlighting  the need to get our nursing graduates into the system and learning from this wealth of experience.

‘At Hobart’s ANF morning tea,  there will be a combined total of over 1000 years nursing experience in the room. This wealth of experience is worth celebrating.

‘There are a lot of nurses that are reaching retirement age and they will be considering leaving the workforce over the next few years. This is the reason that workforce planning and employment of graduates is vital. Nursing is a physically and mentally demanding profession and working shift work gets more difficult with age’ said Mrs Ellis.

Media Opportunity

• Hobart – The Old Woolstore Hotel, 1 Macquarie Street Hobart, Tuesday 4 October 10.15 – 11.30 am
• Ulverstone – Deli Central, 48 Victoria Street Ulverstone, Tuesday 4 October 10.30 – 11.30 am
• Launceston – ANF Offices, 76 York Street Launceston, Wednesday 5 October 10.15 – 11.30 am

All media are welcome to attend and Neroli Ellis will be available at Ulverstone for interviews.

Media Enquiries – Neroli Ellis, 0408 037 589

At last the Minister for Health has announced the Graduate Nurse intake for 2012; but it falls far short of the number of places offered in recent years. A total of up to 98 part time Graduate Nurse positions will be offered for next year via a recruitment register, which is yet to be established.

Neroli Ellis, Branch Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) Tasmanian Branch, has said that while it is a positive step forward that the Government have finally given information on the 2012 Graduate Transition to Practice program, the number of positions is extremely disappointing.

“Over recent years around 120-150 Graduate positions have been offered by the Department, and numbers for this year are only two thirds that figure.  The Royal Hobart Hospital, the major tertiary hospital in Tasmania, is only half their normal number of positions.  38 graduate positions when there are over 1250 nurses employed is appalling,” said Mrs Ellis.

“Over 300 students will graduate at the end of this year, and they are now being presented with very limited opportunities to work in Tasmania.”

“The Government has indicated that planning for these Graduate positions next year is the result of ‘careful workforce planning’. But it’s the result of budget cuts – cuts that are impacting on our future nursing workforce and will result in reduced services by stealth.”

“The Minister appears to be misleading the students by stating openings will be created through the workforce renewal program. This program has now closed and only around 10 nurses across the state have retired early. There will be no additional graduate positions replacing nurses retiring early and we have not seen an additional 10 new graduate positions created. In fact, we now see 50 less graduate nurse positions from last year.”

Nursing students will rally tomorrow (Saturday 24 September 2011) against the deferral and lack of commitment from DHHS to the Transition to Practice program.  Rallies will be held in the Devonport Mall and on Parliament House Lawns from 11:00am. The ANF fully supports the commitment these students are showing to the future of nursing in Tasmania, and demands the same level of commitment from the Government in line with previous years.

For further information, please contact Neroli Ellis on 0408 037 589

Mental Health Services North West has today released a Budget Savings Strategy Proposal which cuts deeply into frontline care of clients.  The proposal suggests the removal of 12.7 FTE clinical frontline positions from the North West Mental Health Services.  Positions include nurses and allied health professionals such as psychologists and social workers.

Mental health staff were called to a meeting today to be briefed on the cuts, and were informed that the savings needing to be realised amount to $2.17 million in the North West region.

The Australian Nursing Federation (Tasmania Branch) members have consistently maintained the position that nurses will not accept cuts which will affect the ‘hands on care’ of the clients.

“This flies in the face of the Health Minister’s statement that no cuts will affect patient care,” said Mrs Agnes Stanislaus-Large, Australian Nursing Federation (Tasmanian Branch) Acting Secretary.

“As part of the cuts, two nursing positions will be removed from the Burnie Spencer Clinic, which raises concerns for staff safety, with a nurse recently assaulted”, said Mrs Stanislaus-Large.

Staff were informed that if they do not present alternative options which would deliver these enormous savings, this proposal will become a reality.

“This would place the most vulnerable in our community on lengthy waiting lists”, said Mrs Stanislaus-Large.

For an already strained workforce, these cuts are in addition to the recent restriction placed on access to cars to visit clients, sick staff not replaced and relief staff contracts not renewed.

These decisions made by the Government are not in the best interests of either patients or staff.

 

The Australian Government has today released a fact sheet about National Health Reform clearly identifying that States have been experiencing a growth of around nine per cent per annum in health spending over the five years to 2009/10.

“This flies in the face of the heavy cuts being proposed in frontline health,” said Mrs Neroli Ellis, Australian Nursing Federation (Tasmanian Branch) Secretary.

Mrs Ellis stated that the health system must grow to meet the demands and needs of Tasmanians, rather than be savagely slashed.

“The State Labor Government is clearly misleading the Tasmanian community again, as they fully endorsed the fact of a nine per cent increase in health spending when they signed up to the National Health Reform.

“Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?” asks Mrs Ellis.

“This Government is cutting funding to health for Tasmanians, while they have acknowledged that over the past five years health spending saw an increase of around nine per cent per annum.

“This is supported by the briefing paper from NAHS CEO, John Kirwan which states the savings required are 13 per cent.  When this is combined with the known annual growth of nine per cent the total shortfall of funding is now 22 per cent.

“This will ultimately impact severely on the Tasmanian public. Patient care is the nursing team’s first priority – that’s what Tasmania deserves; and the Government needs to get it right.”

 

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmanian branches came together in Hobart today to pressure the government to reconsider cuts to health frontline positions. 

“As clinicians providing 24 hour care to patients and clients, we are the ultimate health advocates and will not accept reductions in front line services. It is important that clincians speak out and inform the community of the dire risks that this Government is putting our community under.” 

“The DHHS is not being honest and the goal posts constantly change. The Northern Area Health Service today is being honest and exposing the spin of the DHHS bureaucrats. The spin has talked about savings targets when in reality it is now the budget deficit for 2011-12 differentiating the savings targets with the now actual budget deficit as two different figures. The budget deficit of the South in now exposed as $60 million rather than the savings target of $40m in addition to the overrun for last financial year. The North has a budget deficit of $39 million as opposed to the savings target of $18-20 m. 

“This puts a whole new perspective on the crisis in health and it needs to be questioned how decisions can be made without the accurate facts of the actual budget for 2011-12.” 

“Now these quantums are exposed, it is clear the Minister cannot continue to keep the public in the dark and must announce which services will be cut and stop saying this will not effect patient /client care. It will and these cuts will lead to disastrous health outcomes in Tasmania.” 

 

Tasmania’s two leading health organisations are joining forces to ensure the State Government quarantines all health frontline positions.

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmanian branches are working together to ensure frontline health positions are not jeopardised in the Government’s search for $100 million of savings.

“Despite repeated calls to look elsewhere for savings and provision of “grass root” cost saving solutions, the Minister seems intent on making cuts in an area where staff are already struggling with their high workload demands” said Neroli Ellis, ANF (Tas Branch) Branch Secretary.

She continued, “We need this Government to stop threatening patient care and stop the crisis management. Consultation needs to occur to develop a clear strategy and plan for effective savings”.

Dr. John Davis, AMA President, said “The Government must look for savings in the bureaucracy and the administrative system; frontline cuts to health services are not acceptable because patient care is paramount”.

What:    Neroli Ellis, ANF Tas Branch Secretary and John Davis, AMA President call for a quarantine of all health frontline positions

Where: Royal Hobart Hospital front entrance

When:   1300 hours, Thursday 4 August 2011

Media Enquiries:   Neroli Ellis     0408 037 589
                             John Davis     0488 142 033

ANF continues to be concerned that the Government appears to have no true strategic approach to the current budget crisis. The Minister has released a list of savings today without any consultation with frontline nurses and other staff.

Australian Nursing Federation (Tasmanian Branch) Branch Secretary Mrs Neroli Ellis said today “Nurses are already working double shifts due to patient demands. To suggest that nurses will now not be replaced during periods of leave, as a cost saving, is unrealistic. You cannot continue to provide services without staff.”

“The Minister needs to ‘bite the bullet’ and tell the public that the level of services currently provided by staff will have to be reduced. Staff are already working hard, and often working unpaid overtime, in order to prop up the system. They cannot be expected to continue to work with less and provide the same level of services.”

“Difficult decisions about service cuts need to be made by the Minister. Nurses do not want to see service cuts but the reality is that the safe provision of service to the public without appropriate resources and support is impossible.”

“ANF again calls on an orderly strategic approach to enable clinical nurses to be part of the decision making process and assess ideas to ensure they will provide true cost savings. Reducing cars for community nurses means less ability to access clients, reducing child health checks, results in poor health outcomes for the future generations.”

For further information, please contact Neroli Ellis on 0408 037 589

The first impact of budget cuts have started in mental health services and nurses voiced serious concerns yesterday at a membership meeting.

Mrs Neroli Ellis, ANF Tasmanian Branch Secretary stated “Nurses are very concerned that client care will be severely compromised with the proposed decision not to replace community mental health nurses and cut positions. Community mental health teams have been informed that they will lose one to two full time equivalent positions. Inpatient and residential services will also be affected.”

Nurses are being notified that their temporary contracts will be terminated to meet budget cut backs. This is proposed across all sites within mental health. The loss of mental health positions will result in increased workloads for nurses. Each lost position will effect up to 25 patients and their ability to access full service.

“ANF members will have no option but to withdraw all non nursing duties to concentrate on clients’ needs and delivery of safe care. This may be interpreted as industrial action, but for nurses, patient and client care will always come first and there is no compromise,” said Mrs Ellis.

“It was reported at yesterday’s meeting, that the Southern Mental Health Emergency Crisis Assessment Team (ECAT) was notified that they will be disbanded within a month. With mental health needs in our community rising, this is a cruel decision by the Government to hit the most vulnerable first.

“This reduction in community services will result in more mental health clients waiting inappropriately in Emergency Departments, with little hope of being admitted to the already over capacity acute beds.

“Nurses will do everything to support and advocate on behalf of our clients and the community. If it means taking a stand and letting the bureaucrats answer phones and do more paperwork, then there is no choice for nurses; client care will come first.”

Nurses from around the state will use the next two days to speak up and speak out about their profession as part of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF), Tasmanian Branch Annual Delegates’ Conference.  

This event provides the opportunity for education, debate and discussion about nursing practice.  

The conference will be held at Country Club Casino, Prospect Vale on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 May 2011.  

ANF will also be using the conference to launch our Cost Saving Initiatives, to be presented to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as an alternative to job cutting measures. The paper focuses on six areas where the ANF believes money can be saved without compromising patient care;  

• Management and Human Resources (HR)
• Systems
• Clinical Diagnostics and Disposables
• Transport and Travel Expense
• Employment Arrangements and Employment Packages
• Executive, Government and General Administration

Day 1 is also focused on Rep development, and features ANF resolutions where strategies for the future are set and agreed; presentations by ANF Representatives; and the day will end with the presentation of the HESTA/ANF Student Award to nursing students.  

Day 2 features an update on the national ANF Because We Care aged care campaign; Ministerial update by Honourable Michelle O’Byrne, Minister for Health; an overview of the challenges of the National Health Reform from LGH CEO John Kirwan, and a nice finish to the conference with a talk and performance by retired Australian rock legend and director/cofounder of Appin Hall Children’s Foundation Ronnie Burns.  

All media are welcome to attend:  

THURSDAY 19 MAY 12.30PM & 1.00PM 
MEDIA DOORSTOP – ANF COST SAVING INITIATIVE LAUNCH 

•  Media welcome at 12.30pm to film ANF delegates debating resolutions.
• Neroli Ellis will be holding a door stop at 1.00pm to launch the ANF Cost Saving Initiatives and answer any questions.

FRIDAY 20 MAY 12.15PM 
MEDIA DOORSTOP – TASMANIAN HEALTH SECTOR UPDATE  

• The Honourable Michelle O’Byrne, Minister for Health, will be speaking to the conference between 11.45 and 12.15pm, giving an update on the health sector within Tasmania.
• Jeremy Rockliff, Shadow Minister for Health and Paul O’Halloran, Shadow Minister for Health will be in attendance for lunch from 12.15 – 1.00pm
• Neroli Ellis will be available for interviews.

Media Enquiries 

Neroli Ellis, ANF Branch Secretary 0408 037 589

Please direct media enquiries to Neroli Ellis, Branch Secretary on 0408 037 589.

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