VOL. 34 | NO. 1 | JANUARY 2015
THE QUEENSLAND NURSE
ELECTION SPECIAL
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR SAFE QUALITY CARE
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EDITORIAL
Think of quality health care when casting your vote BETH MOHLE, QNU SECRETARY
A lot is at stake: not only are our industrial rights in sharp relief, but so too is the very nature of the work we perform as nurses and midwives.
YOUR COUNCIL
In a move that caught many by surprise, Premier Campbell Newman decided that Queenslanders would head to the polls on 31 January. Like so many others, I was on leave when the election was announced. Perhaps this was all part of the LNP’s strategy: to catch us unawares when we’re not in a political headspace. I don’t know about you, but I am already resenting the intrusion into the time I had set aside for family, friends and annual leave. But naturally, given the importance of this election, we must all turn our attention to the upcoming poll. So much has happened since the Newman government was elected with a massive majority in March 2012. Yet so many of those changes were in no way telegraphed before that election. Indeed, the 2012 election was very much a “small target” one, with very little detail provided, especially regarding health care.
The massive job and service cuts in Queensland Health came as a big surprise. These brutal cuts were linked to a blunt target of jobs that simply had to go. It is startling that more than 1800 FTE nursing and midwifery jobs were cut, a figure that amounts to about a fifth of the positions created after the Bundaberg Hospital Inquiry. Those left behind have been forced to do more with less. Vital community health services have also been cut, especially in primary, preventative and health screening, as well as public aged care. The government has attempted to shift the cost of these services onto either the federal government or individuals requiring these services. The full impact of these cuts is only beginning to be felt now. It is important to remember that the LNP government has more changes planned, with “modernisation” of the Queensland Health nurses’ and midwives’ award now to be concluded by the end of the year. Remember, because of changes made by the LNP government, once the award is “modernised”, workload management provisions will not be allowed in industrial instruments. In a move that showed a total lack of respect for nurses, midwives and the QNU, the government also decided to delay the next enterprise bargaining agreement by 12 months. There was no consultation with the QNU, and it’s a move that prevents us from raising a whole raft of issues
through these negotiations, such as workload concerns. Right now the critical concern to our members working in all sectors is their ability to provide safe, high quality care. As flagged in the last tqn, this will be the main focus for our union for the foreseeable future. Keeping those in our care safe is our overriding objective. To do so, we need sufficient numbers and an appropriate mix of skills. Unfortunately, the budget bottom line trumps considerations of quality care far too often. Election campaigns provide us with an opportunity to advance our concerns. This election, we must campaign together to ensure we are provided the opportunity to deliver quality nursing and midwifery. A lot is at stake: not only are our workers’ industrial rights in sharp relief, but so too is the very nature of the work we perform as nurses and midwives. The 2012 election is a reminder that we need to pay careful attention to both what is said and what is not said in election campaigns and hold all politicians to account. We need to make politicians responsive to our values and concerns. There is a lot to consider and we must remember that we are a powerful force. In many electorates, the votes of nurses and midwives can determine the outcome. We need to ensure our concerns are heard and our votes are not taken for granted.
Beth
Secretary Beth Mohle ■ Assistant Secretary Des Elder ■ President Sally-Anne Jones ■ Vice President Stephen Bone Councillors Christine Cocks ■ Barbara Jean Cook ■ Karen Cooke ■ Dianne Corbett ■ Jean Crabb ■ Sandra Eales ■ Julie Gard Phillip Jackson ■ Damien Lawson ■ David Lewis ■ Lucynda Maskell ■ Simon Mitchell ■ Fiona C.A. Monk ■ Sue Pitman Dan Prentice ■ Karen Shepherd ■ Katy Taggart ■ Kym Volp ■ Deborah Watt ■ Di Webb ■ Charmaine Wicking
www.qnu.org.au
JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 1
YOUR SAY
The official journal of the Queensland Nurses’ Union 106 Victoria Street, West End Q 4101 (GPO Box 1289, Brisbane Q 4001) T 07 3840 1444 1800 177 273 (toll free) F 07 3844 9387 E qnu@qnu.org.au W www.qnu.org.au ISSN 0815-936X ABN No. 84 382 908 052 Editor Beth Mohle, Secretary, QNU Production QNU Communications team Published by the Queensland Nurses’ Union of Employees Printed by Fergies Print and Mail REGIONAL OFFICES Toowoomba 66 West St, Toowoomba Q 4350 (PO Box 3598, Village Fair, Toowoomba Q 4350) T 07 4659 7200 F 07 4639 5052 E qnutwmba@qnu.org.au Bundaberg 44 Maryborough St, Bundaberg Q 4670 (PO Box 2949, Bundaberg Q 4670) T 07 4199 6101 F 07 4151 6066 E qnubberg@qnu.org.au Rockhampton Suite 1, Trade Union Centre 110 Campbell Street, Rockhampton Q 4700 (PO Box 49, Rockhampton Q 4700) T 07 4922 5390 F 07 4922 3406 E qnurocky@qnu.org.au Townsville 1 Oxford Street, Hyde Park Q 4812 (PO Box 3389, Hermit Park Q 4812) T 07 4772 5411 F 07 4721 1820 E qnutsvle@qnu.org.au Cairns Suite 2, 320 Sheridan St, North Cairns Q 4870 (PO Box 846N, North Cairns Q 4870) T 07 4031 4466 F 07 4051 6222 E qnucairns@qnu.org.au DISCLAIMER Statements expressed in articles in The Queensland Nurse are those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the policy of the Queensland Nurses’ Union unless this is so stated. Copyright of articles remains with the contributor and may not be reproduced without permission. Statements of facts are believed to be true but no responsibility for inaccuracy can be accepted. Other material may be reproduced only by written arrangement with the Union. Although all accepted advertising material is expected to conform to the QNU’s ethical standards, such acceptance does not imply endorsement.
PRIVACY STATEMENT The QNU collects personal information from members in order to perform our role of representing their industrial and professional interests. We place great emphasis on maintaining and enhancing the privacy and security of your personal information. Personal information is protected under law and can only be released to someone else where the law requires or where you give permission. If you have concerns about your personal information please contact your nearest QNU office. If you are still not satisfied that your privacy is being maintained you can contact the Privacy Commissioner whose 1800 number is in the phone book.
2 | TQN | JANUARY 2015
Ratios a hit with members on Facebook Good news, and if it does actually go through, I hope and pray they actually look at life on the floor before setting numbers and ratios. I agree with the theory but they also have to take into consideration the size of the department, the acuity, the skill mix and the patient demographics of the regions, these all have a major effect on services – a blanket ratio legislation will only be a band aid affect – kind of like suturing an infected wound! Naomi Cross Not just hospitals please, all nursing facilities. Diane Jordan Will be GREAT if they follow through on promises!! As a fairly new post grad I would LOVE the opportunity to actually use my Diploma! Raylene Stephens
Fantastic news!! Nurse to pt ratios brings with it a safer working environment. Sonia Jayne It’s a fact, RN to patient ratios decrease mortality rates. Narelle Lange The QNU is an organised collective promoting and protecting the industrial and professional concerns of nurses and midwives. It is now up to every one of us to explain to Queenslanders why ratios are so important to their ongoing health and wellbeing. Simon Mitchell The views contained in the ‘Your Say’ page do not necessarily reflect the views of the QNU. For more information and guidance on writing and submitting a letter for inclusion in the ‘Your Say’ section refer to the QNU’s Letter to the Editor policy at www.qnu.org.au/ letters-policy
Goodbye from Des Elder After many years with the QNU as a member and activist, I am retiring from the role of Assistant Secretary. It has been an honour to work in a number of roles in the QNU over the years. It’s a great union made up of very decent, hard-working members. I am sure I will miss the challenges, but I know the Council, Executive and staff of the QNU are capable of defending the interests of our profession for many years to come. Stepping into the role of Assistant Secretary is QNU Councillor and long-time unionist Sandra Eales. Sandra, a Nurse Unit Manager at Mareeba, has a proud record of standing up for nurses and midwives in her workplace. Des Elder
MODs get under way
CONTENTS
The first Meeting of Delegates (MODs) for 2015 will kick off in March. These meetings are a great opportunity for delegates and members to discuss issues affecting their workplace and profession. QNU Secretary Beth Mohle said the MODs were the most effective way for QNU leadership to hear first-hand from members around the state. “It’s also a good opportunity to visit local branches and brief our hard-working delegates on what to expect in the coming year in terms of the QNU’s priorities and focus,” she said. Workloads will be our major focus in 2015 – with patient safety and the provision of high quality care at the very heart of this agenda. We will be paying particular attention to so-called “efficiency” drives which put profits before patients; and we will be stepping up the push for workload management processes that ensure nurses and midwives have the resources they need to provide safe, quality care. For more information about your local MOD visit www.qnu.org.au/ your-union/mods
2
Your say
3
Queensland decides
4
Health cuts update
9
Legislative changes
10 Where the parties stand 12 Your comments on cuts 13 Ratios save lives 14 EB9 delay 15 Voting in Queensland 16 The risk of privatisation 17 Health & Safety 18 Calendar 19 Advertising www.qnu.org.au
NEWS
Queensland decides 2015: the choice is in your hands WHEN YOU VOTE, CONSIDER THE CANDIDATE WHO BEST REPRESENTS YOUR INTERESTS.
LNP leader: Campbell Newman
Labor leader: Annastacia Palaszczuk www.qnu.org.au
Welcome to the QNU’s “special election edition” of tqn. This edition of tqn is focused on the 2015 state election – an election which is arguably the most important Queensland nurses and midwives have faced. It is a shame in many ways that this edition of tqn focuses almost exclusively on political matters. But the fact is, over the past three years political matters have greatly influenced our working and private lives. For many of us, our job security is gone and our workloads are becoming unmanageable. We are constantly being asked to do more with less. It is perhaps the hardest it has ever been to deliver quality health care to those who need us. The QNU has conducted extensive surveying of Queensland nurses and midwives to form a clear understanding of your interests and priorities. The surveying has delivered a very firm message back to the QNU: The cuts must stop. Workloads are becoming unsafe in all settings. Lives are being put at risk. A political solution must be found. Politics often seems to be more about the art of looking busy while doing nothing. But each of us needs to make sure our politicians are held to account – we have to push them to find a practical solution to our unsustainable workloads. We believe we already know what the solution is: nurse/midwife to patient ratios – in all sectors, in all settings. Ratios must be inserted in our enterprise agreements, implemented in the
workplace, and enshrined in law. The evidence is clear: ratios improve health outcomes – including mortality rates – and reduce health costs. There is no argument that ratios are unaffordable. Everywhere they have been implemented, they have saved money. To make this solution happen, the QNU must engage with political decisionmakers. The QNU has always bridged the gap between the profession and politicians. No matter the outcome on 31 January, the QNU will continue to press the very strongest case in your interests to the government of the day. As the Declaration of Nursing and Midwifery and Union Values states:
‘At a time of growing disillusionment with politics and institutions, we seek to succeed by making an imperfect political system responsive to our values. The alternative to this struggle – to give up and do nothing – is not an option’. Any incoming government will have plans for nurses and midwives. Our plans are to ensure the profession is treated with the respect it deserves. The state election is an opportunity for every nurse and midwife to have a say on how your interests are valued. When you vote, consider the candidate who best represents your interests. Consider track records on treatment of nurses and midwives, and what we know politicians will do to health services – not what they promise.
Polling booths are open from 8am to 6pm on January 31, 2015 ■ For polling booth locations visit the Queensland Electoral Commission website on www.ecq.qld.gov.au JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 3
NEWS
NO CORNER OF STATE IMMUNE TO LNP The maps on these pages indicate the true extent of the job and service cuts, using figures compiled from our Right to Information (RTI) investigation last year. The RTI figures, which cover cuts between September 2012 and June 2014, are almost 2000 higher than those voluntarily released by the State
Under the LNP state government, almost 5000 positions have been abolished in Queensland Health in the past three years, including more than 1800 nursing and midwifery jobs – and no corner of the state has been spared.
Gympie
SUNSHINE COAST
Government and they include hundreds of frontline jobs, including positions in Emergency Departments, Intensive Care Units, cancer care, Indigenous health, surgery, transplant services and more. These extensive cuts clearly contradict the LNP’s pre-election promise to protect frontline services.
SUNSHINE COAST
METRO SOUTH
Caloundra r Palliative Care Gympie r Emergency Medicine r Women & Children Nambour r Community Health r Chronic Disease r Cardiology r Bowel Cancer Screening r Kidney treatment r Mental Health
Beaudesert r Acute Care Browns Plains r Oral Health Eight Mile Plains r Home and Community Care Inala r Indigenous Health Kingston r Oral Health Logan r Mental Health – Child and Youth r Community and Primary Health r Palliative Care r Ante/Post Natal Care r Home and Community Care r Cardiology r Emergency Department r Acute Care r Intensive Care Unit r Midwifery r Women and Children’s Health r Chronic Disease Moreton Bay r Residential Aged Care r Acquired Brain Injury – Youth r Acquired Brain Injury and Mental Illness Princess Alexandra Hospital r Cancer Care r Acute Care r Operating Theatre r Intensive Care Unit r Infectious Diseases r Medical Imaging Queen Elizabeth II Hospital r Acute Care r Operating Theatre r Day Surgery Redland r Home and Community Care r Midwifery r Outpatients r Mental Health – Acute Adolescent South Brisbane r Oral Health Wynnum r Oral Health Yeronga r Oral Health
METRO NORTH Nambour
Caloundra
METRO NORTH Caboolture North Lakes
Redcliffe Brighton
The Prince Charles Hospital Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital Princess Alexandra Hospital Wynnum Queen Elizabeth II Hospital
Ipswich Wacol
Logan
WEST MORETON
Beaudesert
METRO SOUTH
Gold Coast
GOLD COAST
WEST MORETON Ipswich r Mental Health – Community r Emergency Medicine r Acute Care r Mental Health – Crisis Team Wacol r Offender Health r Offender Health – Women’s Health
4 | TQN | JANUARY 2015
r Mental Health – Child & Youth r Mental Health – Adolescent r Mental Health – Adult r Mental Health – Rehabilitation r Drug Court Program Wolsten r Offender Health
Robina
Aspley r Community Health r Hospital in the Home Biala Sexual Health Clinic (Brisbane City) r Sexual Health r HIV treatment Brighton r Residential Aged Care r Palliative Care r School vaccinations Caboolture r Mental Health North Lakes r Community and Transition Care r School vaccinations r Hospital in the Home Nundah r Community Health Redcliffe r Children’s Health r Mental Health – Adolescent r Cancer care r Medical Imaging r Midwifery The Prince Charles Hospital r Bowel Cancer Screening r Cardiology r Emergency Medicine r Intensive Care Unit r Internal Medicine r Medical Imaging r Respiratory r Mental Health – Rehabilitation Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital r Cancer Care r Surgery r Intensive Care Unit r Internal Medicine r Midwifery r Kidney treatment r Newborn infant care r Palliative care r Patient safety r Mental Health r Aged and Transition Care Zillmere r Residential Aged Care
GOLD COAST Gold Coast r Cancer Care r Cardiology r Emergency Medicine r Surgery r Intensive Care Unit r Medical Imaging r Chronic Neurological Disease r Rehabilitation in the Community r Mental Health r Palliative Care Robina r Intensive Care Unit r Mental Health – Child and Youth
www.qnu.org.au
NEWS
JOB AND SERVICE CUTS
QUEENSLAND DECIDES
TORRES STRAIT AND NORTHERN PENINSULA Bamaga r +PYLJ[VY VM 5\YZPUN Thursday Island r :WLJPHS JSPUPJZ HUK [OLH[YL r 4PK^PMLY` r (SJVOVS ;VIHJJV HUK r 6[OLY +Y\NZ :LY]PJL
Thursday Island & PHC Bamaga & PHC
Weipa
Lockhart River PHC
Aurukun PHC
CAPE YORK Aurukun r +PYLJ[VY VM 5\YZPUN Cooktown r (SJVOVS ;VIHJJV HUK 6[OLY +Y\NZ :LY]PJL r 4LU[HS /LHS[O Hope Vale r +PYLJ[VY VM 5\YZPUN Kowanyama r +PYLJ[VY VM 5\YZPUN Lockhart River r +PYLJ[VY VM 5\YZPUN Pormpuraaw r +PYLJ[VY VM 5\YZPUN Weipa r (IVYPNPUHS HUK ;VYYLZ :[YHP[ Islander health r /VTL HUK Community Care r 6YHS /LHS[O r (SJVOVS HUK +Y\NZ r >VTLU Z /LHS[O Wujal Wujal r (SJVOVS ;VIHJJV HUK 6[OLY +Y\NZ :LY]PJL r +PYLJ[VY VM 5\YZPUN
CAIRNS AND HINTERLAND Cairns r 4LU[HS OLHS[O r *HUJLY JHYL r *HYKPVSVN` r /VZWP[HS PU [OL /VTL Cairns North r (SJVOVS ;VIHJJV HUK 6[OLY +Y\NZ :LY]PJL r /VTL HUK Community Care r 6YHS /LHS[O r :L_\HS /LHS[O r 4LU[HS /LHS[O Smithfield r (IVYPNPUHS HUK ;VYYLZ :[YHP[ Islander health
NORTH WEST Mount Isa r 4LU[HS /LHS[O /VTLSLZZ 6\[YLHJO ;LHT
www.qnu.org.au
Pormpuraaw PHC
TORRES AND CAPE Hope Vale PHC Cooktown Wujal Wujal
Kowanyama PHC
Cairns
CAIRNS AND HINTERLAND
Ingham
TOWNSVILLE
MACKAY
Townsville r 7HSSPH[P]L *HUJLY *HYL r /LHY[ +PZLHZL ;YLH[TLU[ r 0UMLJ[PVU *VU[YVS r ,TLYNLUJ` 4LKPJPUL r :\YNLY` r 4PK^PMLY` r 0U[LUZP]L *HYL <UP[ r 6WLYH[PUN ;OLH[YL r 4LU[HS /LHS[O Intellectual Disability r 4LU[HS /LHS[O Community r *VTT\UP[` HUK Child Health r (SJVOVS ;VIHJJV HUK 6[OLY +Y\NZ :LY]PJL r 6MMLUKLY /LHS[O Women’s health Charters Towers r 4LU[HS /LHS[O Community Ingham r (SJVOVS ;VIHJJV HUK 6[OLY +Y\NZ :LY]PJL
Mackay r (SJVOVS ;VIHJJV HUK 6[OLY +Y\NZ :LY]PJL r *OPSKYLU HUK -HTPS` :LY]PJLZ r /0= :L_\HS /LHS[O
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
Townsville
NORTH WEST
Charters Towers
TOWNSVILLE
Mount Isa
Mackay
MACKAY
Emerald
CENTRAL WEST
Rockhampton
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND
Banana Moura
Gladstone Biloela Monto
Eidsvold Quilpie
Charleville
Mitchell
Bundaberg
WIDE Childers Hervey Bay BAY Maryborough Gayndah
Kingaroy Roma
SOUTH WEST Cunnamulla
Dalby Toowoomba
DARLING DOWNS
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See inset map SOUTH WEST Charleville r (J\[L *HYL r (NLK *HYL r (IVYPNPUHS HUK ;VYYLZ :[YHP[ 0ZSHUKLY OLHS[O Cunnamulla r (J\[L *HYL Mitchell r (J\[L *HYL Quilpie r (J\[L *HYL r *VTT\UP[` /LHS[O Roma r (J\[L *HYL
DARLING DOWNS Baillie Henderson r (J\[L 4LU[HS /LHS[O Dalby r *VTT\UP[` /LHS[O r (J\[L *HYL Kingaroy r 9LZPKLU[PHS (NLK *HYL Toowoomba r *HYKPVSVN` r +PYLJ[VY VM 5\YZPUN HUK 4PK^PMLY` r +PHS`ZPZ HUK 2PKUL` Transplants r 4LKPJHS 0THNPUN r >VTLU HUK *OPSKYLU 5\YZPUN *HYL r 4LU[HS /LHS[O
WIDE BAY Bundaberg r /VTL ;OLYHW` Kidney Treatment r *HYKPHJ 9LOHIPSP[H[PVU r /VTL HUK *VTT\UP[` *HYL r 6YHS /LHS[O r :L_\HS /LHS[O /0= (0+: r 9PZR 4HUHNLTLU[ r *SPUPJHS .V]LYUHUJL r 7H[PLU[ :HML[` r 8\HSP[` (ZZ\YHUJL r (SJVOVS ;VIHJJV HUK 6[OLY +Y\NZ Childers r 6YHS /LHS[O Eidsvold r (J\[L *HYL
Gayndah r /VTL HUK Community Care Hervey Bay r 2PKUL` ;YLH[TLU[ r 7LYP 6WLYH[P]L r *VTT\UP[` /LHS[O r /VTL HUK *VTT\UP[` *HYL r 0UKPNLUV\Z /LHS[O r 6YHS /LHS[O Maryborough r ,TLYNLUJ` 4LKPJPUL r 4LKPJHS 0THNPUN r 2PKUL` ;YLH[TLU[ r *VTT\UP[` /LHS[O r 9LZPKLU[PHS (NLK *HYL Monto r 6YHS /LHS[O
JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 5
NEWS
A RELENTLESS ATTACK ON OUR HEALTH 2012
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2013
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6 | TQN | JANUARY 2015
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www.qnu.org.au
NEWS
& AGED CARE SERVICES February 15, 2013
March 4, 2013
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QUEENSLAND DECIDES
January 2015 2015
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JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 7
NEWS
YOU DESERVE BETTER While nurses and midwives certainly bore the brunt of the LNPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health cuts by way of sheer numbers, other public health service roles and services were also hit hard.
QUEENSLAND DECIDES
TOTAL STATEWIDE CUTS Nursing and midwifery Administration Building and Engineering Executive Health Professional Medical Operational Professional Technical Dental
The result is Queenslanders now have a health system and a workforce that is stretched beyond acceptable levels. Nurses and midwives know only too well what a risk that can be to patient safety. Queenslanders deserve better. Nurses and midwives deserve better. Our public health service workforce deserves better.
1796.0 positions 1001.3 positions 44.8 positions 49.0 positions 685.3 positions 74.9 positions 1140.2 positions 20.4 positions 2.0 positions 7.0 positions
Since coming to power, the Newman government has abolished 4821 positions from Queensland Health, including more than 1800 nurses and midwives.
Wide Bay West Moreton Townsville Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Sunshine Coast South West North West Metro South Metro North Mackay Gold Coast Darling Downs Central West Central Queensland Cape York Cairns and Hinterland
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
Administration
Doctors
Building maintenance, plumbers, electricians
Nurses and midwives
Dental
Cleaners, chefs, food services, stores, gardeners, security
Directors and managers
Counsellors, service officers, information officers
Health workers, physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists, social workers
Technical
8 | TQN | JANUARY 2015
www.qnu.org.au
NEWS
Unnecessary, heavy handed and regressive:
LNP’S HISTORY OF ATTACKS ON NURSES’ AND MIDWIVES’ RIGHTS In the three years since the Newman LNP was elected to government, Queensland’s public health system and those who work within it have suffered persistent blistering attacks.
Through radical changes to laws and with bills rushed through without adequate consultation, Campbell Newman and his party have attempted to destabilise the very foundation of the health profession
– not to mention the transparent attacks on unions. Below is a summary of the changes to laws affecting members since the government came to power.
MAY 2012
The Industrial Relations (Fair Work Act Harmonisation) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, which restricts the right of workers to take industrial action, and allows the government to forbid industrial action and bypass unions in negotiations and ballots.
AUG 2012
The Penalties and Sentences and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, which allows QH to deduct overpaid wages directly from health workers’ pay.
JUL 2012
The Public Service and other Legislation Amendments Bill, which strips all public servants (except police) of their job security, and removes the requirement for workers to be consulted about workplace changes.
JUN 2012
The Health Ombudsman Bill 2013, which changes the way notifications and complaints against health practitioners including nurses and midwives are dealt with.
AUG 2013
The Holidays and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 implemented a public holiday restructure, which saw Labour Day moved from its internationally-recognised date in May to a new date in October.
APR 2013
The Industrial Relations (Transparency and Accountability of Industrial Organisations) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2013, which prohibits unions from spending more than $10,000 on a political matter without first holding a ballot of members.
OCT 2013
Amendments to the Industrial Relations (Fair Work Act Harmonisation) laws reduce the independence and powers of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC), give the Attorney-General power to direct the QIRC, and violate the International Labour Standards on the right to organise and bargain collectively. A later amendment includes reductions in the number of state awards, and further restrictions on industrial action. The Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, which radically limits workers’ compensation entitlements by including an impairment “threshold” of greater than 5% – meaning up to 50% of claims caused by an employer’s negligence will be stopped.
FEB 2014
The Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014, which requires 24 hours’ notice from WHS entry-permit holders before they can enter a workplace in response to an infringement.
JUN 2014
After unions mount a high court challenge, the Newman government very quietly repeals its own amendment to force unions to ballot members before spending more than $10,000 on political matters, and agrees to pay unions’ legal costs.
SEP 2014
The Newman government announces a delay to award modernisation and enterprise bargaining until December 2015. Nurses and midwives are told they must accept a pay rise less than the current inflation rate.
www.qnu.org.au
JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 9
NEWS
WHERE DO THE PARTIES As part of the 2015 state election campaign, the QNU posed 10 questions to all major political parties on matters of prime importance to Queensland’s nurses and midwives.
Due to the extremely short timeframe, not all parties were able to supply responses.
Below we reproduce shortened answers to four of our key questions.
At the time of going to print, responses were received from the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal National Party, and the Queensland Greens, but not from the Katter Australia Party or the Palmer United Party.
The parties’ full responses to all 10 questions are available on the QNU website at www.qnu.org.au.
Any response we receive in the next few days from KAP or PUP will also be published on the QNU website.
NURSE/PATIENT RATIOS * Labor has committed in its policy Nursing guarantee: patient safety first! to legislate in its first term for safe, fair nurse to patient ratios. Such ratios will be incorporated in the negotiation for EB9 enterprise agreement using the Business Planning Framework (BPF) tool. Adherence to the Business Planning Framework is LNP policy. Placing something in legislation can give a false sense of security unless there is the proper management and the proper resources to give it meaningful effect. The Greens believe health policy should be based on the best medical evidence available, and that the best way to achieve effective health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs is through preventative healthcare and high quality primary health care measures available to all age groups. The recent findings demonstrating how nurse/patient ratios improve health outcomes and reduce costs are exactly the kind of evidence that should be used to determine health policy.
PRIVATISATION OF HEALTH SERVICES Labor will always fight to protect Medicare, the PBS, public hospitals and public health services. We will halt the LNP Americanisation of our health system and cease contestability processes aimed at further privatisation and outsourcing. The Premier has previously written to the QNU to, in his words, “state very clearly that my Government has no intention whatsoever to privatise any of our public hospitals. We are committed to delivering quality free public health. To strengthen this commitment, the Minister for Health, Hon. Lawrence Springborg MP, has also rescinded the policies of the previous Labor Government that had outlined its plans for a transition to the introduction of co-payments for surgery”. The Greens believe that a publicly funded health system is the most equitable way to resource and deliver health services. The Greens oppose privatisation of public health services, and believe the public hospital system needs greater investment to reverse recent cuts to personnel levels.
* None of the parties directly answered our question on nurse:patient ratios for Private Hospitals and Aged Care facilities. See our website for their responses. 10 | TQN | JANUARY 2015
www.qnu.org.au
FEATURE NEWS
STAND ON KEY ISSUES? IMPROVING WORKERS’ COMP A future Labor Government will restore Queensland’s workers’ compensation scheme to its proper place as the nation’s leading scheme. We will reinstate the rights of injured workers covered by the scheme to sue negligent employers if they are injured at work.
www.qnu.org.au
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS / NO FORCED INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS Labor will enter into negotiation for EB9 in good faith without any hidden agenda to strip away conditions of employment and entitlements.
The LNP’s strong plans to value and protect our frontline health workers culminated in an announcement last October to increase penalties for assaults on nurses and midwives along with other Queensland Health employees. Penalties for assaults on doctors and nurses has been doubled, with perpetrators facing up to 14 years in prison under the new laws. These laws have also been matched with a public awareness campaign to highlight the terrific work of our health workers and drawing attention to the threat of assault and new penalties.
The Minister for Health personally wrote to all Queensland Health nurses and midwives last year to guarantee that there is “no plan whatsoever that any nurse or midwife would be financially worse off as a result of award modernisation”. In relation to contracts the Minister has also given a commitment that: “this government will not be moving nurses and midwives to contracts; the ONLY exception to this guarantee, in line with the Fairwork Australia guidelines introduced by the former Federal Labor Government and supported by the QNU, is the very small number in senior positions, such as level 11 and 12, who may be offered individual contracts”.
Employers should not be able to avoid their legal obligations such as workers’ compensation. The Greens believe we must increase penalties for operating unsafe workplaces and introduce industrial manslaughter laws. Any medical or psychological assessment of employees must be performed by qualified persons and only the final result of suitability should be reported to the employer, not the details of any testing. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland must be adequately resourced to promote WHS requirements and enforce the law.
Collective bargaining provides the best outcomes for both employers and employees. The right to join, or not join, a union and exercise rights of union membership must be protected. Rather than forcing employees onto individual contracts, the Greens believe we need to improve incentives and structural support to enable nurses and midwives to continue employment in Queensland health services.
JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 11
NEWS
Overworked,under-resourced and worried about patient safety Your heartfelt comments reveal the truth about job and service cuts Staff morale and working conditions are at an all-time low within Queensland Health, according to an August 2014 QNU survey. Of the 737 QH nurses and midwives who responded, the vast majority expressed concerns over job security and their struggle to provide quality care to patients. What follows on this page are some quotes from our nurses and midwives, which express the overall sentiments of those who responded. 12 | TQN | JANUARY 2015
[Staff morale] is the lowest I have ever seen it. People are scared to speak up about safety as they feel there is no protection and they will lose their jobs. We work harder and harder with less staff – it is unsafe and scary and we all know that when, not if, it goes pear shaped we will be the ones to wear it and lose our registration and income. As bad as I have seen it in my 20+ years in Queensland. Staff are no longer able to provide the care they know they should and are so overworked that their own health is now at risk. You can’t possibly cut so many FTE positions and expect quality not to be affected. Perhaps that change in quality of care is not accurately reflected though as nurses just work harder so that these government cuts don’t adversely affect the patient. They forgo their lunch breaks and stay back at work that extra half hour so that they can provide what their patients need.
The current government appears to believe that cutting jobs and ‘streamlining’ will create an environment of security and loyalty. What it has done is promote feelings of disillusionment, nervousness and insecurity. In an industry which has had many years of building a profession and workforce which is dedicated to public health and an expectation of job security and fair employment, we now find ourselves feeling uncertain, unappreciated and expendable! I have never felt less secure in my 32 years of nursing. There is a general consensus not to ruffle feathers otherwise you may be given your marching orders. The goodwill pool which saw many staff work above and beyond is now dried up and staff safety and patient care are now beginning to show the ill effects. Sad times given the great strides in quality care which had been developed over the last decade. www.qnu.org.au
NEWS
RATIOS SAVE LIVES The volume of evidence is overwhelming, the time to act is NOW Nurses and midwives are calling on all political parties and candidates standing in the 2015 state election to commit to mandating nurse/midwifeto-patient ratios, skill mix levels and data collections specific to nursing and midwifery. The QNU calls on all parties to commit to the following measures: » Mandate minimum nurse/midwife-topatient ratios and skill mix levels for Queensland Health facilities and acute private health facilities benchmarked on the ratio methodologies implemented in New South Wales and Victoria. » Incorporate minimum nurse/midwifeto-patient ratios and skill mix levels into the Business Planning Framework workload management tool. » Mandate the participation of public, private and aged care sectors in data sets that monitor and openly report ratios, skill mix levels and quality outcomes achieved. » Urgently review the adequacy of nurse numbers, skill mix and quality indicators in residential aged care facilities across Queensland for the purposes of mandating minimum
nurse-to-resident ratios and skill mix levels. » Mandate a Registered Nurse is present on shift in residential aged care facilities at all times in parity with the legislative requirement in New South Wales.
The evidence is clear: ratios save lives and improve outcomes National and international studies have irrefutably proven the number of nurses and midwives, along with skill mix and practice environment, directly affects the safety and quality of health services. The volume of evidence is overwhelming. One observational study alone derived findings from 422,730 patients in 300 hospitals across nine countries [1]. It also surveyed 26,516 practising nurses. Health services with a higher percentage of Registered Nurses and increased nursing hours per patient will have: » lower patient mortality » reduced length of stay » improved quality of life and » less adverse events such as failure to rescue, pressure injuries and infections.
The research also shows: » Every one patient added to a nurse’s workload is associated with a 7% increase in deaths after common surgery [1]. » Every 10% increase in bacheloreducated nurses is associated with a 7% lower mortality [1]. » Every one patient added to a nurse’s workload increased a medical child’s odds of readmission within 15-30 day by 11% and a surgical child’s likelihood of readmission by 48% [2].
We call on the government to make good on its commitment The Queensland Government has made a commitment to improve the delivery of safe, high quality patient-focused care as part of the Blueprint for Better Healthcare in Queensland and the Strengthening health services through optimising nursing strategy and action plan (2013-2016). To fulfil this commitment, investment in the number, skill mix and practice environment of nurses and midwives is required. Nurses and midwives are calling on all political parties and candidates standing in the 2015 state election to act on the evidence available and commit to mandating ratios, skill mix levels and nurse/midwife-sensitive quality data collections within all health sectors across the state.
References
Victorian nurses and midwives rallied for ratios ahead of their state election earlier this year.
www.qnu.org.au
1. Aiken L, Sloane D, Bruynell L, Van den Heede K, Griffiths P, Busse R, Diomidous M, Kinnunen J, Kozka M, Lesaffre E, McHugh M, Moreno-Casbas M, Rafferty A, Scwendimann R, Scott P, Tishelman C, Achterberg T and Sermeus W (2014) Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: a retrospective observational study. Lancet, vol 383 (9931), 1824-1830. 2. Tubbs-Cooley H, Cimiotti J, Silber J, Sloane D and Aiken L (2013), An observational study of nurse staffing ratios and hospital readmission among children admitted for common conditions. BMJ Quality and Safety, vol 0,1-8. JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 13
INDUSTRIAL
EB9 negotiation delays a worrying sign for the future Earlier this year, Queensland nurses and midwives were stunned to learn the Newman LNP government was delaying award modernisation until December 2015 and EB9 negotiations until early 2016. Not only did this mean a pay cut in real terms, it also meant the government could avoid conducting negotiations during the current state election campaign. Instead, negotiations will be conducted 12 months after the election. The delay is extremely concerning for all nurses and midwives. It suggests the LNP is worried its plans for nurses and midwives will prove so unpopular with the public, they couldn’t be risked during an election campaign. Minister tries to shift blame Health Minister Lawrence Springborg misleadingly sought to deflect anger by blaming the QNU for the arbitrary delay. In fact, the QNU stated there was no need to rush through award modernisation by August 2014, when EB8 expired in March 2015. The LNP government delayed EB9 until March 2016 without consulting or even notifying the QNU. The Minister’s decision means Queensland’s public sector nurses and midwives do not have the opportunity to negotiate their pay increase for 2015. It also means that nurses and midwives will not have the opportunity to improve their current working conditions until March 2016. Changes rob nurses and midwives Recent changes to industrial relations laws allowed the LNP government to bypass negotiations and enforce this minimal pay increase outside of enterprise bargaining. With the government now in campaign mode, the LNP is desperately trying 14 | TQN | JANUARY 2015
to avoid public uproar over how it has treated and will continue to treat 30,000 public sector nurses and midwives. By extending the current agreement by 12 months, workers have been robbed of their right to pursue improved working conditions and take protected industrial action in support of their claims. It’s all about keeping nurses and midwives quiet during the election campaign – not exactly a positive sign of what’s to come should the LNP be re-elected. What can you do? Despite the delay, you will eventually need to make decisions about what you want to retain and what you want to improve in EB9. It is more important than ever that you understand your current working conditions – be sure to read over your EB8 enterprise agreement to familiarise yourself with your current agreement. We want to be ready when it comes time to negotiate with the government, and making a log of claims through your feedback is the first step.
PRIVATE SECTOR AGREEMENTS 2015 is a huge year for private sector nurses and midwives, as there are dozens of private sector enterprise agreements to be negotiated. Make no mistake – the election outcome will have a huge impact on the environment in which negotiations take place. As soon as the LNP was elected in 2012, the QNU observed a significant tendency from employers to strip entitlements such as professional development and training leave, and to offer meagre pay increases. A political regime hostile to unions makes it very difficult for nurses and midwives to secure better outcomes – for themselves, and for their patients. Do not hesitate to contact the QNU for advice and consultation as you commence the process of logging your claims. All Queensland nurses and midwives should be properly represented and informed when it comes time to negotiating future wages and conditions.
www.qnu.org.au
NEWS
NAVIGATING QUEENSLAND’S VOTING SYSTEM: A GUIDE With Queenslanders set to head to the polling booths on Saturday January 31, it’s important to be well informed about our state’s voting system to ensure your vote counts.
Your options Queensland uses an Optional Preferential Voting (OPV) system, which means voters do not have to place a number next to every candidate if they choose not to do so. Voters have three options: 1. Simply place a ‘1’ beside the candidate you would like to see elected. 2. Vote for some, but not all, of the candidates. 3. Number the entire ballot sheet in order of preference.
How votes are counted The number ‘1’ you place on your ballot paper is your ‘first preference’ – that is, the first candidate you would like to see elected. If a candidate receives more than 50% of first preference votes, they are elected. However, it is quite rare for a candidate to be elected on first preferences. This is where other preferences come into play. Ballots containing second preference votes are counted and distributed to that candidate. This means that a candidate for whom you voted second could potentially receive your vote. This process continues until one candidate receives a majority.
An example of how the OPV system works The voters vote ◆ Ben chooses option 1, and only numbers one box. He votes Greens. ◆ Sally chooses option 2, and numbers some, but not all, boxes. She votes ‘1’ Katter Australia Party, ‘2’ Liberal National Party. ◆ Jane chooses option 3, and numbers all boxes. She votes ‘1’ Katter Australia Party, ‘2’ Greens, ‘3’ Australian Labor Party, ‘4’ Liberal National Party.
The ballots are counted KAP receive 25 votes, the Greens 100 votes, the ALP 200 votes, and the LNP 200 votes.
The preferences are distributed ◆ With just 25 votes, the KAP cannot win, and is eliminated. Because Sally voted ‘2’ Liberal National Party, her vote slides to the LNP. It stops there, because the final contest is between the ALP and LNP. ◆ The Greens also cannot win and are eliminated. Because Ben only voted ‘1’ Greens, his vote is ‘exhausted’ – it doesn’t slide to any other candidate. ◆ Jane voted for the KAP. When they are eliminated, her vote slides to the Greens. When the Greens are eliminated, her vote slides to the ALP. It stops there, because the final contest is between the ALP and LNP.
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE IDENTIFICATION Changes to the Queensland Electoral Act means voters now have to show proof of identity in order to cast an ordinary vote at a polling booth. To prove your identity you will need one of the following documents:
www.qnu.org.au
» a current driver's licence » a current Australian passport » a voter information letter issued by the commission » a recent document proving your electoral enrolment » an identification card issued by the Commonwealth or State evidencing your entitlement to a financial benefit. For example a Medicare card, a Commonwealth seniors health card, health care card, pensioner concession card or repatriation health card.
» an adult proof of age card issued by the State » a recent account or notice issued by a local government or a public utility provider (such as a council rates notice or electricity bill)
» a recent account statement, current account card or current credit card issued by your financial institution.
» a recent account issued by your telephone or internet provider
» a recent tax assessment notice from the Australian Taxation Office. JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 15
NEWS
Queenslanders can’t risk a privatisation agenda Queenslanders now know what to expect if the LNP state government is re-elected: more privatisation, specifically the long-term lease of ports and power assets. It’s an embarrassing flip for Treasurer Tim Nicholls, who said in opposition that “a 99-year lease is as good as giving away the farm”, but is now advocating for a 50-year lease with a possible 49-year extension on Queensland’s electricity network. We also know the government still plans to continue selling off our public health system piece by piece. This plan – boldly announced in 2013 as the ‘Blueprint for Better Healthcare’ but quietly shelved after public protest – has already seen numerous aged care facilities sold off, and a number of clinical services outsourced via the government’s weasel word for privatisation: ‘contestability’.
What’s been sold? We’ve seen health services around the state put up for sale. In the space of 18 months, the Newman government sold off Farr Home in Kingaroy and Moreton Bay Nursing Care Unit. Some sections of Brighton Eventide aged care were sold to Blue Care, with further plans in limbo while the government dithers over whether to sell or develop the site. Plans to sell off Eventide Rockhampton and North Rockhampton Nursing Home have also stalled after the government failed to secure a buyer. 16 | TQN | JANUARY 2015
Home and Community Care (HACC) services in Wide Bay were sold off to Blue Care, who now charge a nominal fee for previously free services. Recipients must also pay for expendables such as bandages and cleaning equipment. Furthermore, the Newman Government has been slowly washing its hands of its obligation to manage Queensland’s Hospital in the Home services. The Metro South service at Redlands was outsourced to Blue Care, while some Metro North services have been outsourced to Silver Chain.
What’s for sale? The new targets for sale include radiology, pathology and pharmacy services. Radiology services around Rockhampton continue to suffer as a result of privatisation and job cuts, with radiographers now asked to perform duties once fulfilled by nurses. The QNU understands problems are occurring with mistaken patient identities and time delays in accessing x-rays from the accident emergency department. Pathology services are also on the chopping block for outsourcing, with the government receiving numerous feasibility studies on selling off various services.
Services suffering at Lady Cilento The results of privatisation are fast becoming a harsh reality at Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, with food, porterage and cleaning services being outsourced to private provider Medirest. The QNU understands Medirest staff are not properly trained to provide essential services, such as monitoring when soaps and bin liners need restocking. Running out of toilet paper is not something that people should have to put up with in Queensland’s hospitals. But believe it or not, it’s happening. There have also been problems with Medirest’s provision of meals and other support services.
Where to from here? Privatisation doesn’t just affect the working conditions of our nurses and midwives – it flows on to the quality of services provided to the general public. A May 2014 ReachTel survey from the Queensland Council of Unions found 47% of respondents were less likely to vote for the LNP if the government adopts its privatisation plans. 22% of those who responded were traditional LNP voters. It’s time for the government to listen to the people, rather than selling off a health system that Queensland’s nurses and midwives have worked so hard to build. www.qnu.org.au
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Three years of government sets health and safety back decades With the election fast approaching, it is timely to review some of the changes the Newman government introduced last year to our state-based workers’ compensation scheme. These are some of the major changes affecting nurses and midwives: » A 5% threshold of a permanent impairment before a worker can sue for an injury caused by employer negligence was introduced. » It is now more difficult to have a psychological injury accepted as a workplace injury. » An employer can now ask a job applicant to provide their workers’ compensation history. » The requirement for some employers to have a rehabilitation and return to work policy was removed. Remember, these changes were made even though the LNP-dominated parliamentary committee recommended against it. Now, injured nurses and midwives have been greatly restricted in seeking compensation from negligent employers for workplace injuries. Nurses and midwives have also been forced into choosing not to lodge compensation claims for fear of having to disclose them when applying for new jobs. Attacking health and safety As soon as these changes were bedded down, the Newman government went to work radically weakening health and safety legislation in Queensland. Unions forced to wait 24 hours before investigating risk Now, the QNU cannot enter a workplace to investigate a health and safety issue without giving the employer 24 hours’ notice – no matter how severe the danger. www.qnu.org.au
Unsurprisingly, this has meant QNU officials have arrived at workplaces to investigate an issue, only to find superficial changes have been made to gloss over the real safety concern (such as transferring patients to other clinical areas to reduce aggression). Workplace health and safety is a fundamental responsibility of unions – the concept didn’t exist until union members insisted their own representatives should have the power to investigate and remove workplace risks. In limiting that power, the Newman government has shown its own comprehensive misunderstanding of how lives are endangered by an unprofessional approach to workplace health and safety. Powers removed from Health and Safety Representatives The Newman government has also removed the right of your Health and Safety Representative to tell workers to cease “unsafe work”.
This means the person elected by workers to protect their health and safety has been hogtied, even in situations that represent an imminent, serious threat. The government provided no evidence to support its argument HSRs were using the power inappropriately. Government moves away from prosecuting negligent employers At the time of these changes, the government department responsible for workplace health and safety announced a new approach that emphasised “guiding” employers rather than enforcing health and safety standards through audits and prosecutions. Not the time for backward steps on health and safety These changes have greatly increased the danger faced by nurses and midwives every day at work. They must be reversed at the earliest possible opportunity. Nurses and midwives are only too aware that now is not the time to be taking backward steps on health and safety. JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 17
CALENDAR
If you would like to see your conference or reunion on this page, let us know by emailing your details to dsmith@qnu.org.au
FEBRUARY
6th Biennial Conference of the Maternal, Child & Family Health Nurses Australia Our voice our future 9-11 April 2015, Perth www.aamcfhn.org.au/
2nd Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer Survivorship Conference Life after Cancer – from Recovery to Resilience 6-7 February 2015, Adelaide www.survivorship2015.org/ Inaugural International Conference on Migration, Social Disadvantage and Health Toward developing national and international priorities for migration, health and social wellbeing 11–13 February 2015, Melbourne www.international-migrationconference2015.net.au/ 4th Biennial Nephrology Educators Network Symposium Leading the charge for change 16-17 February 2015, Sydney www.nen.org.au/symposium-2015/ TheMHS Summer Forum Men’s Mental Health: Building a Healthier Future 19-20 February 2015 Crows Nest, NSW www.themhs.org
MARCH Diabetes study day 6 March 2015 from 9am-4pm Study Day with Kathy Mills, RN, MEd, Dip Business, Credentialled Diabetes Educator. This study day for enrolled and registered nurses covers contemporary and evidence based research on dietary, exercise, psychological and pharmacological management of diabetes mellitus. 6 March 2015 from 9am-4pm at Inner East Melbourne Medicare Local, 6 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East. Free parking. This study day is eligible for 6 hours professional education. Early bird special (pay by 20 February, 2015) is $220. Full registration fee: $250. All queries to Kathy via email at diabetes.ed@optusnet.com.au
18 | TQN | JANUARY 2015
World Environment Day 5 June 2015 www.unep.org/wed/
World Day for Safety and Health at Work (ILO) 29 April 2015 www.un.org/en/events/safeworkday/
MAY International Conference on Nursing 4-7 May 2015, Athens, Greece www.atiner.gr/nursing.htm International Women’s Day 8 March 2015 http://www.unwomen.org/
International Day of the Midwife 5 May 2015 www.internationalmidwives.org/
Florence Nightingale Foundation Annual Conference 12-13 March 2015, London www.fnfalumni.org/event-1717850
18th Cancer Nurses Society of Australia Annual Winter Congress Cancer nursing: expanding the possibilities 14-16 June 2015, Perth www.cnsawintercongress.com.au/
Australasian Cardiovascular Nursing College 9th Annual Conference 13-14 March 2015, Sydney www.acnc.net.au Australian Pain Society 35th Annual Scientific Meeting Managing Pain: from Mechanism to Policy 15-18 March 2015, Brisbane www.dcconferences.com.au/aps2015 12th Annual World Healthçare Congress Connecting and preparing leaders for healthcare transformation 22-25 March 2015 Washington DC, USA www.worldcongress.com/events/ HR15000/
World Red Cross Day 8 May 2015 www.icrc.org/eng/resources/ documents/misc/57jqz6.htm Asia Pacific Cardiorenal Forum 8-9 May 2015, Sydney http://cardiorenal.com.au/ 14th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care Building bridges 8-10 May 2015, Copenhagen Denmark www.eapc-2015.org/
International Council of Nurses (ICN) International Conference and Council of National Representatives (CNR) Global Citizen, Global Nursing 19-23 June 2015 Seoul, Republic of Korea. www.icn2015.com/ 3rd International Conference on Ageing in a Foreign Land 24-26 June 2015 Bedford Park, South Australia www.flinders.edu.au/ehl/conferences/ ageing/ 3rd Annual Worldwide Nursing Conference 29-30 June, Singapore www.nursing-conf.org/
International Nurses Day 12 May 2015 www.icn.ch/
4th Annual eMedication Management Conference 26-27 March 2015, Sydney www.informa.com.au/conferences/ health-care-conference/electronicmedication-management 19th National Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Nurses meeting and ASHONS 65th scientific meeting Excellence and innovation 7-9 March 2015, Sydney www.ohnng.com.au/national_ conference.html
JUNE
APRIL World Health Day (WHO) 7 April 2015 www.who.int/world-health-day/en/
12th Behavioural Research in Cancer Control Conference Bridging the gap 12-15 May 2015, Sydney www.cancercouncil.com.au 7th Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association National Conference 14-16 May 2015, Gold Coast www.apna.asn.au/ 13th National Rural Health Conference People, Places, Possibilities...for rural and remote Australia 24-27 May 2015, Darwin www.ruralhealth.org.au/13nrhc/
www.qnu.org.au
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JANUARY 2015 | TQN | 21