Lamp May 2019

FEDERAL ELECTION

FEDERAL ELECTION

NURSE PRACTITIONERS

REGULARS

Understaffing responsible for most falls

No full-time worker should live in poverty

Report recommends more scope for nurse practitioners

page 12

page 16

page 28

Your rights and entitlements at work Nurse Uncut – your stories What nurses and midwives said Nursing research online

THE MAGAZINE OF THE NSW NURSES AND MIDWIVES’ ASSOCIATION VOLUME 76 NO. 4 MAY 2019

AGED CARE’S CRY FOR HELP Print Post Approved: PP100007890

p.37 p.39 p.41 p.43

COVER STORY

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2 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

CONTENTS Contacts NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association For all membership enquiries and assistance, including The Lamp subscriptions and change of address, contact our Sydney office.

Sydney Office 50 O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo NSW 2017 (all correspondence) T 8595 1234 (metro) 1300 367 962 (non-metro) F 9662 1414 E gensec@nswnma.asn.au W www.nswnma.asn.au

VOLUME 76 NO. 4 MAY 2019

Hunter Office 8–14 Telford Street, Newcastle East NSW 2300

8

NSWNMA Communications Manager Janaki Chellam-Rajendra T 1300 367 962 For all editorial enquiries letters and diary dates T 8595 1234 E lamp@nswnma.asn.au 50 O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo NSW 2017 Produced by Hester Communications T 9568 3148 Press Releases Send your press releases to: F 9662 1414 E gensec@nswnma.asn.au Editorial Committee Brett Holmes, NSWNMA General Secretary Judith Kiejda, NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary O’Bray Smith, NSWNMA President Michelle Cashman, Long Jetty Continuing Care Richard Noort, Justice Health Printed by Ovato Print Pty Ltd 37-49 Browns Road, Clayton VIC 3168 Advertising Danielle Nicholson T 8595 2139 or 0429 269 750 F 9662 1414 E dnicholson@nswnma.asn.au Information & Records Management Centre To find archived articles from The Lamp, or to borrow from the NSWNMA nursing and health collection, contact: Jeannette Bromfield, Coordinator.

T 8595 2175 E gensec@nswnma.asn.au The Lamp ISSN: 0047-3936 General Disclaimer The Lamp is the official magazine of the NSWNMA. Views expressed in articles are contributors’ own and not necessarily those of the NSWNMA. Statements of fact are believed to be true, but no legal responsibility is accepted for them. All material appearing in The Lamp is covered by copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission. The NSWNMA takes no responsibility for the advertising appearing herein and it does not necessarily endorse any products advertised.

Privacy Statement The NSWNMA 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 the NSWNMA office. If you are still not satisfied that your privacy is being maintained, you can contact the Privacy Commission.

Subscriptions for 2019 Free to all Association members. Professional members can subscribe to the magazine at a reduced rate of $30.

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12

COVER STORY Understaffing responsible

for most falls An NSWNMA member survey highlights the link between understaffing and poor care outcomes.

16

18

ELECTION ISSUES: CHANGE THE RULES Shorten: No full-time worker

should live in poverty Opposition leader Bill Shorten has vowed to replace the minimum wage with a “living wage” – a move the ACTU says would be a “significant step forward in the fight against low wage growth and poverty in Australia”.

ELECTION ISSUES: PUBLIC HEALTH Labor to reduce cancer treatment costs

Federal Labor pledges $2.3 billion to expand Medicare coverage of scans and consultations – with more drugs to go on the PBS.

20 22

At the launch of the ACTU marginal seats campaign in Gilmore (NSW South Coast), aged care AiN Susan Walton spoke about the urgency required to fix the crisis in the sector.

REGULARS

5 6 6 32 36 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 50

Editorial Your letters Competition News in brief NSWNMA Education Ask Judith Nurse Uncut Facebook Nursing Research Online and Professional Issues Crossword Book Club At the Movies Diary Dates NURSE PRACTITIONERS

REGULARS

Understaffing responsible for most falls

No full-time worker should live in poverty

Report recommends more scope for nurse practitioners

page 12

page 16

page 28

Your rights and entitlements at work Nurse Uncut – your stories What nurses and midwives said Nursing research online

FEDERAL ELECTION

FEDERAL ELECTION

p.37 p.39 p.41 p.43

THE MAGAZINE OF THE NSW NURSES AND MIDWIVES’ ASSOCIATION VOLUME 76 NO. 4 MAY 2019

ELECTION ISSUES: PUBLIC HEALTH Cancer care plan a ‘game changer’

Organisations representing cancer sufferers, public hospitals and medical specialists have applauded Labor’s $2.3 billion cancer treatment package.

ELECTION ISSUES: PUBLIC HEALTH Budget ignores coming

24

COVER STORY Aged care’s cry for help

‘illness tsunami’ The Morrison government’s April Budget did little to prevent major illnesses related to factors such as obesity and alcohol abuse, experts say.

ELECTION ISSUES: PUBLIC HEALTH Mental health: Budget opens

new doors to empty rooms Despite increased government spending, Australia lacks quality services to deal with the nation’s escalating suicide rate.

AGED CARE’S CRY FOR HELP Print Post Approved: PP100007890

OUR COVER: Susan Walton Photographed by Sharon Hickey CORRECTION In the April edition of The Lamp, the article No time to wait for aged care ratios quotes Maree Wiseman as saying “… on night duty we would have one EN and five AiNs”. It should have said: “… on night duty we would have one RN and five AiNs”.

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 3

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EDITORIAL

Brett

Holmes GENERAL SECRETARY

An opportunity to change the rules Australia needs policies and an economic direction that deliver a better life for working Australians.

The federal election to be held on 18 May will have significant consequences for nurses and midwives. At stake for NSWNMA members are fairness in the workplace, a better deal for aged care and the proper funding of our public health system.

The NSWNMA is committed to the ACTU campaign to “Change the Rules”. The goal of this campaign is to restore fairness for working Australians. Currently the laws are unbalanced and give employers too much power. They are also increasingly recognised as a drag on our economy.

The changes unions are seeking – transforming the minimum wage into a living wage, tackling casual and insecure work, investing in health and education, bolstering retirement incomes, tackling climate change and making our tax system fairer – are essential and urgent if Australia is to remain prosperous. And they’re essential and urgent if the benefits of that prosperity are to flow through to all Australian workers.

Changing the rules to make the workplace fairer would have a direct impact on nurses and midwives working in private hospitals and aged care.

The rules around bargaining and the rights of workers are currently loaded in favour of employers. The make it difficult to get better wages and staffing including the winning of ratios.

Employers are given the power to stop listening to unions and to shut down bargaining. They prevent nurses and midwives in private hospitals and aged care from achieving significant improvements because employers

I n aged care and public health, as in the economy and social policy there has to be change. ’ have the upper hand. They limit the capacity of nurses to use industrial pressure. Already we are hampered with 6 procedural steps that we must undertake before we can take industrial action.

THE AGED CARE CRISIS IS A NATIONAL DISGRACE As we have reported time and again in The Lamp aged care is in crisis. The large companies that dominate the sector have been allowed to put their profits before care even though billions of taxpayers’ money prop up the system.

Nursing care has been diminished for financial gain and the trends are for worse. The ANMF and the NSWNMA have put forward concrete measures to improve care in the sector and to make providers accountable and transparent.

We want to see changes that will “Make Ratios in Aged Care Law Now”. We know staff-toresident ratios are the solution.

Legislated staffing ratios in aged care will ensure nursing hours are mandated for each resident.

Equally our public health system needs more support from the federal government. This Liberal National government started its term in office with a horrendous budget that slashed health spending – the consequences of which are still being felt to this day.

Bafflingly for health experts and health economists, the biggest cuts

came in the areas of preventative health and community health – widely acknowledged as the most cost effective ways of delivering health care.

NEOLIBERALISM HAS RUN ITS COURSE We also need a change in the economic direction of the country.

For some time now major economic institutions have been ringing the alarm bells about the direction of the Australian economy.

They been warning, with increasing urgency, that tackling inequality and poor wage growth are fundamental to strong economic performance.

These conservative institutions realise that the world has changed and the neoliberal economic direction that has dominated developed economies for the last 40 years has run its course.

In aged care and public health, as in the economy and social policy there has to be change. The federal election we face on May 18 gives us the opportunity to bring about that change.

The ACTU has been very clear in its message to union members about what is required to get the country back on track so workers and their families get a fair go: we need to change the rules and to do that we need to change the government.

It is hard to argue with that logic. n

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 5

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YOUR LETTERS

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LETTER OF THE MONTH

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Aged care is heart breaking

While I have now graduated and no longer work in aged care, I did so for almost five years while studying.

And it broke my heart.

Ratios in aged care for a resident, who is a person, mean the difference between a five-minute spray in the bathroom and getting the shower and attention they deserve.

A conversation about the resident’s life, needs, and history? Impossible – because staff don’t have the time.

In aged care we were always hot and running around because we did not have enough staff to take the time to properly look after every resident, no matter how hard we tried.

Not having mandated ratios in aged care not only affects the people who live there, it also affects the staff. Nurse burnout, injury, exhaustion – all are more likely to occur without proper staffing ratios.

We need to remember that for the elderly who live in aged care, it is their home. And they are human beings deserving of the respect and dignity that can only be delivered when the government introduces shift-by-shift ratios in aged care.

Rhianna Gymellas, RN

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If there’s something on your mind, send us a letter and have your say. The letter of the month will WIN a gift card Concerns over community nursing positions In 2015, the Australian Government ceased Home and Community Care (HACC) funding and replaced it with the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Prior to 2015, HACC funding was shared between the Commonwealth and the State and provided for services to clients both under and over 65. CHSP funding is for those over 65, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was to replace HACC for those under 65. HACC funding was extended to June 2018, then an additional year was approved to 1 July 2019.

The concern is that there are still community nursing positions in Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSW LHD) that remain HACC funded, but only till 1 July 2019.

The NNSW LHD conducted an independent review of Community Health services in 2016 that was to be released in June 2018; however, the contents of the review and the fate of the HACC funded nursing positions and community health service remains a mystery. The NNSW LHD have been awaiting strategic documents from the Ministry of Health before releasing the Community Health Review; however media reports indicate that there is blame-shifting occurring with the Ministry office stating that the review was an internal matter and it redirected enquiries back to the NNSW LHD. In the meantime, the Tweed Community Health NUM position and the Tweed Byron Community and Allied Health Manager position have been vacant for two years and filled by temporary contracts. Two audiometry nurses who retired have not been replaced, leaving unattended this vital service for pre-school age children at risk of hearing deficit. The Men’s Health Nurse position remains unfilled after 12 months, and specialist nurses are not being backfilled when they take leave. Succession planning cannot be implemented, and many in the casual pool of nurses are occupying vacancies with three-monthly contracts. Flexible work arrangements have been denied due to lack of backfill, and the reason given for all of this is we are awaiting the release of the Community Health Review.

We are hopeful that this review will reflect the valuable contribution made by community nursing and offer job stability, and ensure there are improved future services such as Hospital In the Home for our ever-increasing population in this district.

Rosalie Scott, RN/Nurse Educator Secretary, Tweed Community Nurses’ Branch EDITOR’S NOTE: At the time of publication, the LHD was to consult with the Association to discuss the review and its recommendations.

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: Editorial Enquiries EMAIL lamp@nswnma.asn.au fax 9662 1414 MAIL 50 O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo NSW 2017.

Please include a high-resolution photo along with your name, address, phone and membership number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space. Anonymous letters will not be published.

Experienced but still capable of learning new tricks Today for the first time in many years I had to fill in a job application. I have been a nurse for 42 years and a midwife for nearly 30. I did my general training through the old hospital training system. I wear this badge of honour with pride. Today when I was filling out the NSW health job application form, in answer to the question about education I wrote Prince Henry, Prince of Wales and Eastern Suburbs Hospitals and to the question of academic award I wrote registered nurse. I did this innocently and honestly.

Apparently, this is not good enough for NSW Health as neither of these answers were recognised. To say that I am disgusted and offended is putting it lightly. I don’t usually talk about nurses and midwives saving lives but now I am shouting it loudly.

I have spent 42 years saving lives and in my nearly 30 years as a midwife I have saved the lives of countless mothers and babies. I have done this despite not having trained in a university and more often than not by picking up mistakes made by people with many years of university training. The ability to walk into a room and know something is wrong doesn’t come from a university education but from years of experience at the coalface.

When new graduate midwives and nurses come to the wards for the first time it is the experienced nurses and midwives who share their skills and years of experience with them.

Then I came to the questions about core values and respect.

I absolutely support the core values and believe that all our patients deserve the utmost respect, but how about some respect for the nurses and midwives who constantly work short-staffed and without meal breaks? Or some respect for the nurses and midwives who trained under the old hospital training system whose training is now not even recognised in the job application process?

I may be an old dog with a bad back and a leaky bladder but I am still capable of learning new tricks and I believe that not despite training in the old hospital system but because of it I still have a lot to offer.

Annette Alldrick, RM

Advertise in The Lamp and reach more than 66,000 nurses and midwives.

To advertise contact Danielle Nicholson 02 8595 2139 / 0429 269 750 dnicholson@nswnma.asn.au

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 7

COVER STORY

Aged care’s cry for help At the launch of the ACTU marginal seats campaign in Gilmore (NSW South Coast), aged care AiN Susan Walton spoke about the urgency required to fix the crisis in the sector.

“

In one way or another I have been involved with the elderly most of my life.

My grandmother brought me up. At 96, she still lived at home and could play lawn bowls.

I also cared for my in-laws who could not get the help they needed to stay in their own home. My motherin-law passed away in hospital, and when my father-in-law went into care, it ended up being the worst decision of our lives. He had limited mobility, was legally blind and was forgotten about by those who supposedly cared for him.

I am a certificate 4 AiN and have worked night shift in the same aged care facility for 15 years.

I used to call in on Dad on the way home from work. He lived in another aged care facility. I would attend to his hygiene, assist him with breakfast and set him up for the day. I would go back and help him with his lunch. I then called in on the way to work and assisted him into bed.

This was due to a lack of qualified staff who were so busy, short-staffed and did not have the time.

He passed away within 12 months and we live with enormous regret every day about the decision to put him into full-time care.

I work in a facility that is multistorey with five independent 8 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

‘ I, along with thousands of other nurses, am mentally and physically exhausted.

We can’t keep doing our job with conditions the way they are.’ — Susan Walton households. On the top floor there are two separate households with 20 residents in each. On the second floor there are another two separate households with 20 residents each.

On the bottom floor there is one household with 20 residents.

There is also a separate dementia unit with 20 residents.

When I work night shift we have one registered nurse.

On the top floor there is one staff member, on the first floor one staff member, and on the ground floor one staff member.

This is on a good day when we are not short-staffed, which happens regularly.

In the dementia unit there are two staff members.

It is a real challenge to look after our precious elderly with such limited staff. If there is a fall, which unfor tunately happens regularly, the RN and staff member are taken off their floor and the other residents are left alone.

Day staff and afternoon staff don’t get it any easier. We have lost our kitchen staff, laundry staff and cleaning staff. Most of the work now comes down on the nurses.

Not only do we care for families’ loved ones, we now cook, clean, do their laundry, serve meals, give medication, as well as all aspects of daily living – personal care, showers and toilet. You can only imagine what this is like – it is horrendous for those in care.

You can’t physically do your job.

There is not enough staff or time to meet the needs of our elderly.

We are in crisis and have been for some time.

I realise that management try but they can’t help us.

Fifteen years ago, I worked in a facility that was well respected, had a long waiting list and enough staff to care for our residents. Now there are limited staff and not enough time to care for our elderly in the way they deserve.

COVER STORY

I choose to work here. I don’t do it for the money or job security. I do it because I care.

I, along with thousands of other nurses, am mentally and physically exhausted. We can’t keep doing our job with conditions the way they are.

We need all Australians to help us. We need politicians to start hearing us.

There is a royal commission into aged care being held at the moment. This will bring to light the conditions in aged care. While this is a big step forward, and we welcome it, it does not help us now.

After everything our elderly have lived through, seen, struggled with their entire lives, they should feel respected, given the dignity and proper care they deserve in their declining years.

‘ We need all Australians to help us. We need politicians to start hearing us.’

We need more staff. We need to make ratios law now. We need to increase our wages so that we can attract more staff. We need companies to be accountable for where the money is being spent.

To the government, state or federal, come and work a day in our lives. Open your eyes and see what is happening in aged care.

It really is a national disgrace.

”

We, as Australians, need to make the government listen.

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 9

COVER STORY

Morrison government fails to support aged care The Coalition government’s last budget before the federal election was a missed opportunity to move towards safe, quality aged care.

T

he recent federal Budget did nothing to support the work of nurses and carers in aged care, one of Australia’s fastest-growing industries, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) said.

ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said the government failed to use the Budget to promote mandatory minimum staffing levels and hours of care for all residents.

She said it did nothing to fund wage increases for nurses and carers to help build a quality workforce – or make providers spend their generous taxpayer subsidies directly on care for residents.

A nnie warned that the aged care workforce is “under enormous pressure, just managing to hold the system together.”

“There is little for nurses, midwives and carers to celebrate in this Budget,” she said.

The Budget’s aged care provisions were a patchwork of measures that failed to address core issues underlying the industry’s “widespread and systemic failures”.

“These failures are now being brought to light through a Royal Commission,” she said.

A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia revealed that over the last 13 years, chronic understaffing has resulted in a 400 per cent increase in preventable deaths of elderly Australians in aged care, due to falls, choking, suicide and other causes.

“Australians are living longer and entering residential aged care facilities with more complex health issues,” Annie said.

“The federal government needs to do more to ensure our grandparents, parents and loved ones receive the care they need and deserve.” ■

‘ The aged care workforce is under enormous pressure, just managing to hold the system together.’

— Annie Butler, ANMF federal secretary

10 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

Nurses have the solutions Australia has strict staffing ratios for child care but none for aged care.

The ANMF and its state branches including the NSWNMA are campaigning to make staffing ratios law. We want the government to: • Mandate staffing and skill mix levels for all nursing homes across the country • Make aged care providers accountable and transparent • Directly tie public funding given to aged care providers to care of residents.

An ANMF national study in 2016 examined the minimum care needed to avoid missed care in nursing homes.

It found that an average of four hours and 18 minutes of care is needed each day, but that residents were only getting two hours and 50 minutes of care.

The research also found the ideal skills mix required would comprise 30 per cent registered nurses, 20 per cent enrolled nurses and 50 per cent care workers.

The ANMF is calling for a phased implementation plan to develop the skills and workforce required to meet these minimum care levels.

COVER STORY

Door-knocking for ratios gets warm response

REBECCA STAPLEDON AND COLLEAGUES DOOR KNOCKING IN ROBERTSON.

Mandatory ratios – benefits outweigh costs Staffing ratios in aged care would save at least $2.6 billion in productivity and other economic gains, while reducing preventable deaths and improving the quality of life of residents, a Flinders University study found in 2017.

The study found that the benefits of implementing minimum staffing hours outweigh the costs of implementing them.

The report also warned there would be significant costs of not implementing staffing ratios.

In addition, the Aged Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce report commissioned by the federal government, also outlined an economic case for staffing and skill mix improvements in nursing homes.

Registered nurse Rebecca Stapledon is one of several Central Coast members who have been knocking on doors to seek public support for the union’s push for staffing ratios in aged care.

Rebecca, who has worked in community and residential aged care, says most people have been happy to support the campaign.

“The Central Coast has a high proportion of retirees who can see the need to ensure that nursing homes employ enough qualified staff to provide safe, compassionate care,” she says.

“A lot of people tell us they are pleased to see nurses out and about and sharing their insights. They were interested to hear our views in light of the media coverage of the aged care Royal Commission.

“Some are quite happy to talk about their experiences in hospitals and aged care facilities.

“They are as concerned as we are about not having enough staff to provide the required care.

Rebecca took the ratios message to a large gathering at the launch of the ACTU’s Change the Rules campaign at Gosford in the federal seat of Robertson.

“I explained what a lack of ratios means in practice: registered nurses and assistants in nursing who have no time to give the care they want to, or even to take a meal break.

‘ We want to do our best for residents but providers are exploiting the dedication and compassion of their workforces.’

Rebecca said people approached her after the meeting to talk about their concerns for family members in nursing homes.

“Some of them said they were pleased to see a younger staff member passionate about improving conditions in aged care.”

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 11

COVER STORY

Understaffing responsible for most falls

T

An NSWNMA member survey highlights the link between understaffing and poor care outcomes.

hree quarters of nursing home falls could be avoided if minimum staff-toresident ratios were in place, a new survey of aged care workers suggests.

Ninety-four per cent of NSWNMA members who took part in a survey said they had transferred a resident to hospital for treatment after a fall in the previous year.

Seventy-five per cent of the same aged care workers said those falls could have been avoided if minimum staff-to-resident ratios existed in their workplace.

A total of 1608 members working in aged care took up the Association's invitation to complete a survey about their workplace earlier this year.

Genera l Secreta r y of t he NSWNMA, Brett Holmes, said the results show understaffing in aged care has reached “crisis levels” – especially given the loss of registered nurses. “ T he federa l gover n ment must mandate minimum staff-toresident ratios across the aged care sector,” he said.

The survey showed: • forty three per cent of members were employed in a facility with only one RN per shift to care for 50 to 100 residents • eight per cent had only one RN per shift for 100 to 150 residents • two per cent said they regularly had one RN for over 150 residents.

Brett said the figures highlight the urgent need for ratios that provide for appropriate levels of

12 | THE LAMP FEDERAL ELECTION 2019

staffing and skills mix/qualifications.

nursing homes.

“It would be an impossible task for RNs to maintain the required oversight and management of people prone to falling, given these unmanageable workloads,” he said

Between 30–40 per cent of their patients admitted for a hip fracture lived in RACFs.

“Such situations would not be tolerated in a public hospital.”

The incidence of referrals to hospital for falls was slightly reduced for those workers employed on a ratio of one RN to zero–50 residents or patients, and further reduced where ratios of one–30 were usual.

This suggests the risk of falls is reduced as ratios of RNs to residents increase.

The 2018 annual report from the Australia and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry shows overrepresentation from residential aged care facilities (RACFs) of people admitted to hospitals following a hip fracture.

The report also shows hip replacements originating from NSW RACFs put a significant cost on the public health system.

Of those hospitals providing data, Concord Hospital receives the highest number of hip fractures originating from RACFs in Australia, accounting for 45 per cent of all patients presenting with hip fracture there.

High cost of fractures • More than 17,000 hip fractures occur in Australia each year, resulting in a $579 million financial burden, according to the Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry.

• At least 10 per cent of falls result in a fracture, with the incidence being higher among nursing home residents.

• A single uncomplicated hip replacement costs more than $20,000, according to the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority.

• Hip fractures in nursing homes likely cost more due to a high probability of pre-existing co-morbidities.

• Pressure injuries, diminished cognition and in extreme cases, death, are all complications of hip fractures.

In 2016/17 there were a total of 106 stays at Concord Hospital for a hip replacement.

Download the report

Wollongong, St George Illawarra and Coffs Harbour are also among the top 10 Australian hospitals treating hip fractures originating in

www.nswnma.asn.au/ publications/reports

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CPD points for this seminar will be available with the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) and Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA).

For more information or to register visit diabetesnsw.com.au/events or call 1300 136 588.

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THE LAMP FEDERAL ELECTION 2019 | 13

CHANGE THE RULES

Bring back the fair go Nurses and midwives were prominent at the launch of the ACTU’s marginal seat campaign for the federal election to be held on 18 May.

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nion members in the NSW seats of Banks, Reid, Gilmore and Robertson are talking to their communities about what is required to build a fairer and stronger Australia.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus says the federal election gives Australian workers the opportunity to help build a fairer Australia.

“To change the rules, we need to change the government. We will do this by talking to as many people as we can about which political parties have and which have not committed to a fair go for working people,” she said.

“We want to live in a country where people have jobs they can count on and fair pay rises.

“The Morrison Government and big business are standing in the way of secure jobs and fair pay rises, and the union movement is ready to restore the fair go.

“One conversation at a time, we’re ready to take action to change the government and win more secure jobs and fair pay rises.”

ACTU SECRETARY SALLY MCMANUS AND NSWNMA MEMBER CASSANDRA BARFORD TALK TO A COMMUNITY MEMBER IN THE SEAT OF BANKS ABOUT HEALTH AND AGED CARE.

RESIDENTS IN THE SEAT OF GILMORE SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR OUR CAMPAIGN.

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MEMBERS FROM NSW UNIONS SPREAD OUR CHANGE THE RULES MESSAGE IN THE SEAT OF REID.

FEDERAL ELECTION 2019 / THE ISSUES

Candidates urged to stand up for aged care Central Coast nurse Michelle Cashman works in a public hospital but she supports aged care staffing ratios as an issue that should be top of mind in this federal election.

Michelle, the NSWNMA delegate at Long Jetty Continuing Care Centre, promoted the NSWNMA and ANMF aged care ratios campaign when she spoke at an ACTU “Change the Rules” rally in Gosford, in the federal seat of Robertson.

“A decent aged care system is vital to me as a community member, registered nurse and NSWNMA councillor,” she said.

“Nurses know that ratios are the safest way to provide care to residents and ensure staff can cope with the demands put on them.”

The Labor candidate for Robertson, Anne Charlton, and Greens candidate Cath Connor have signed a pledge to support mandatory aged care ratios but the Liberal member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks, has not.

Following the rally, Michelle and other local nurses went to Ms Wicks' office to deliver 94 letters signed by local residents in support of aged care ratios.

“The Central Coast has a lot of residential aged care facilities and it's time our politicians stood up for aged care residents and the people who look after them,” Michelle said.

“The aged care campaign isn't just for nursing home staff and residents in aged care; it affects all aspects of health.

“Facilities don't have enough staff to look after people who need help to do basic things like sit up in bed, go to the bathroom, and eat.

“Failure to properly staff aged care facilities means the symptoms of deteriorating health are often missed.

The consequences can be devastating.

“Residents often need to be transferred to emergency departments to be treated for something that could have been recognized and treated earlier by a qualified nurse in aged care.

“This is detrimental not only for the resident and their family but also for our already overloaded emergency departments and public hospitals.”

Train commuters get the message NSWNMA member Cassandra Barford joined a large group of “Change the Rules” campaign volunteers handing out leaflets at Revesby railway station in south-western Sydney, in the Banks electorate.

“About 15 volunteers turned up, which shows the enthusiasm for a new government that is on the side of working people,” Cassandra said.

Among the volunteers was Emma Malone, a RN in emergency who came to the station after night shift.

Cassandra said the reaction from commuters was mostly positive.

“I had never leafleted at a station before and there was a real mix of people on the platform.

Even if they disagree with you, it gives you a chance to give them something new to think about.

“I don't ever discount the impact that having a civil and respectful discussion can have on changing people’s minds.”

Cassandra said she joined the campaign because,” I believe in social justice and equity. I'm worried about issues such as wage stagnation and casualisation of the workforce.”

“For nursing, getting staffing ratios in aged care is the biggest issue for this election.

“Some nursing homes employ just one RN who is supposed to provide adequate care for as many as 75 residents.”

‘I don’t ever discount the impact that having a civil and respectful discussion can have on changing people’s minds.’

— Cassandra Barford

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CHANGE THE RULES

Shorten: No full-time worker should live in poverty Opposition leader Bill Shorten has vowed to replace the minimum wage with a “living wage” – a move the ACTU says would be a “significant step forward in the fight against low wage growth and poverty in Australia”.

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abor leader Bill Shorten says he will change the law so that the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has the tools to deliver a living wage for Australia’s low-paid workers.

Currently the FWC, by law, has to consider the health of the economy and business competitiveness as well as the needs of the low paid. Under Labor’s changes these considerations would remain, but the Commission’s highest priority will change to “making sure no person working full time will be living in poverty”.

Changing the minimum wage to a living wage would directly benefit around 1.2 million Australians, or one in 10 workers.

Labor says the minimum wage has become “a bare safety net” thanks to rules put in place by Liberal-National governments that tie the hands of the FWC. The FWC has conceded that Australia’s minimum wage of $18.93 per hour, or $37,398 per annum, leaves many full-time workers in poverty.

The Australian Council of Social Services says last year there were

16 | THE LAMP FEDERAL ELECTION 2019

‘ A living wage should make sure people earn enough to make ends meet, and be informed by what it costs to live in Australia today.’

— Labor leader Bill Shorten

more than 3 million people living below the poverty line, including 739,000 children.

“A living wage should make sure people earn enough to make ends meet, and be informed by what it costs to live in Australia today – to pay for housing, for food, for utilities, to pay for a basic phone and data plan,” says Bill Shorten.

Shorten says that while company profits have grown five times faster than wages in the past year, many Australian workers are not being rewarded for their productivity or their effort and their wages are failing to keep up with cost of living rises.

“In the last five years, out-ofpocket costs to see a GP are up 24 per cent, private health insurance premiums are up 30 per cent, electricity prices are up 15 per cent, and long day childcare costs are up 24 per cent,” he says.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus welcomed Labor’s new wages policy.

“The living wage is an Australian idea; it’s time it was brought back. It is the essence of a fair go – workers should not be working full-time hours and earn poverty wages,” she said.

“This is an essential and fantastic step to fixing our broken wages rules and stands in contrast to years of

FEDERAL ELECTION 2019 / THE ISSUES

Minimum wage increases don’t cost jobs: US research American studies show that minimum wage rises not only don’t harm employment, they may even increase it.

‘ This is an essential and fantastic step to fixing our broken wages rules and stands in contrast to years of inaction from the Morrison government.’

— ACTU Secretary Sally McManus inaction from the Morrison government, who now admit that low wage growth is not a side effect but a design feature of their economic policies.”

The ACTU wants the minimum wage to be increased to 60 per cent of the median wage to transform it into a “living wage”.

This definition of a living wage has gained currency in Britain, where the independent Low Pay Commission has recommended that Parliament adopt a living wage target of 60 per cent of median earnings by 2020. ■

The US has a federal minimum wage of US$7.25 per hour. But states and even cities can set their own minimums, and in recent years many have increased minimum wages significantly. There are now 10 major cities in the US that have minimum wages between US$12-15.

An academic study conducted last year by the Institute for Research on Labour and Employment at Berkeley University (September 2018) looked at the impact of these minimum wage increases. It said they did not lead to any “significant negative employment effects”.

One state – Arkansas - increased the minimum wage to US$8.50 in 2014 – well above the minimum wage in the states surrounding it.

“From 2014 to 2017, unemployment in Arkansas dropped from six per cent to 3.7 per cent,” said the researchers.

This was Arkansas’ lowest unemployment rate since 1976.

So good were the economic results that Arkansas voted to further increase its minimum wage to US$11 by 2021.

Another study found a further 25 US states had increased their minimum wage levels since 2013.

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PUBLIC HEALTH

Labor to reduce cancer treatment costs Federal Labor pledges $2.3 billion to expand Medicare coverage of scans and consultations – with more drugs to go on the PBS.

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abor will greatly expand Medicare to cover out-ofpocket costs for existing and future cancer patients.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten promised a Labor government would fund up to six million free medical scans and three million specialist consultations, costing $2.3 billion over four years.

‘ We are pleased to see that the Opposition has listened to the stories of people with a personal experience of breast cancer and put a plan in place to reduce the financial toxicity’ — Kirsten Pilatti

The plan will be paid for by ca ncelling t he Coa lition government’s planned tax cuts for high income earners.

She said out-of-pocket costs for consumers were well above the OECD average and prevented equal access to the health care system.

Labor’s plan includes: • $ 600 million for free X-rays, ultrasounds, mammograms, CT scans and MRI scans • $433 million for free consultations with oncologists and surgeons, turning these services into bulkbilled Medicare items so patients would no longer have to cover up to 40 per cent of the cost under current rules • a “guarantee” that every cancer med icine recom mended by independent experts will be subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Federa l Secreta r y of t he Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Annie Butler, welcomed Labor’s plan as “a great first step in bringing fairness back to the system”.

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CANCER MAKES YOU SICK TREATMENT MAKES YOU POOR In announcing the Medicare and PBS expansion, Mr Shorten told Parliament: “If someone you love has cancer, you’d sell the roof over your head if it would help”.

“You’d sell the shirt off your back, but you shouldn’t have to.

“You pay your taxes to Canberra.

You pay your Medicare levy. If I am elected prime minister, I’m going to make sure the health care system is there for you when you need it most.”

Mr Shorten said he had seen the impact of breast cancer on his late mother, Ann. “Cancer is frightening, it’s isolating, it’s exhausting,” he said, adding that he and his wife, Chloe, had seen “dear friends” suffer from

the disease.

“For so many people, cancer makes you sick and then paying for the treatment makes you poor,” he said.

“And that’s a fact that I think a lot of Australians would be surprised to learn.”

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) CEO Kirsten Pilatti said Labor's plan would reduce the significant out-of-pocket costs faced by breast cancer patients.

“We are pleased to see that the Opposition has listened to the stories of people with a personal experience of breast cancer and put a plan in place to reduce the financial toxicity that can have a huge impact on women, men and their families,” she said.

“We have heard countless stories from women and men who have faced thousands of dollars in out-ofpocket costs after being diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said. ■

FEDERAL ELECTION 2019 / THE ISSUES

Labor’s plan to expand Medicare coverage for cancer treatment

6 million free medical scans

3 million specialist consultations

$2.3 billion

over four years

Cancer’s crippling financial cost Opposition leader Bill Shorten made the following points to highlight the financial burden cancer can impose: • One in four women with breast cancer pay more than $10,000 for two years of scans and tests • Some men with prostate cancer pay more than $18,000 • Most people with skin cancer pay more than $5,000 for the first two years of treatment • Each year, 300,000 people miss out on needed radiology because they cannot afford it • Only half of all MRI machines are covered by Medicare, and regional patients often have to drive for hours or pay thousands of dollars to use one.

“If we win the election, not only will we provide more MRI machines to communities where they are needed most, but Labor will guarantee that every single MRI machine in Australia that meets a national quality standard is covered by Medicare for cancer scans,” Mr Shorten said.

THE LAMP FEDERAL ELECTION 2019 | 19

PUBLIC HEALTH

Cancer care plan a ‘game changer’ Organisations representing cancer sufferers, public hospitals and medical specialists have applauded Labor’s $2.3 billion cancer treatment package.

HEALTHCARE AND HOSPITALS ASSOCIATION The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) hailed Labor’s $2.3 billion Medicare Cancer Plan as a “bold investment” and “a real game changer”.

AHHA is the national peak body for public and not-forprofit hospitals, primary health networks, and community and primary healthcare services.

AHHA chief executive Alison Verhoeven described Labor’s plan as a much-needed response to the significant costs that confront many cancer patients.

“While the Coalition’s review of the MBS and efforts to improve transparency about the costs of care have been welcome initiatives, the bold investment in cancer care pledged by the Opposition Leader is a real game changer that will potentially benefit the many Australians who are diagnosed with cancer,” she said.

‘ The federal Opposition should be commended for such a strong, landmark commitment to reducing the impact and inequities related to cancer.’

— Cancer Council CEO Sanchia Aranda financial burden, it could also lead to “significant improvements” in clinical outcomes.

She sa id ca ncer sur v iva l outcomes were significantly worse for Australia’s poorest people.

“The federal Opposition should be commended for such a strong, landmark commitment to reducing the impact and inequities related to cancer, which is likely to directly affect one in two Australians in their lifetime.”

COLLEGE OF SURGEONS

The Cancer Council of Australia said Labor’s plan had the potential to be the most significant reform in government subsidies for cancer treatment since Labor established Medicare.

Royal Australian College of Surgeons president John Batten said he would “strongly advocate” for all members to sign up to Labor’s new Medicare item number, under which patients would get rebates of up to $150 for consultations – provided the specialists did not charge an outof-pocket cost.

Cancer Council CEO, Professor Sanchia Aranda, said Labor's plan would not only reduce the

Mr Shorten said this would raise the bulk-billing rate for cancer specialist consultations to 80 per

CANCER COUNCIL

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cent from its current 40 per cent.

COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGISTS The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) president Dr Lance Lawler said he “applauded” Bill Shorten’s announcement that Labor would significantly increase access to scans for cancer patients.

He said Labor’s investment could “position Australia as a global leader in the quality and appropriate use of imaging for cancer.”

“This is the first time a political party has recognised the unfair and restrictive MRI licensing system and has committed to levelling the playing field for cancer patients.

“Cancer patients will now have a choice of any MRI machine close to where they live.

“We thank the Opposition for listening to the concerns of patients and clinicians and acting to address barriers in Medicare.”

FEDERAL ELECTION 2019 / THE ISSUES

Cancer’s hip pocket toll The frightening disease brings enough physical and emotional pain without the accompanying shock of unexpected bills.

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ydney teacher Megan Solis never counted the financial cost of the treatment her late husband Antony received during his three-year struggle with bowel and liver cancer.

Keeping track of the sizeable out-of-pocket treatment costs – from diagnosis until Antony’s death at the age of 41, in August 2018 – was the last thing on Megan’s mind.

‘ I had no idea how steep the out-of-pocket costs could be, even for a public patient as Antony was.’ — Megan Solis

Megan worked throughout most of Antony’s illness while raising their children Isaac, now 8, and Minnie, who is 5.

of his life.

With her wage, and their savings, the couple found the many thousands of dollars needed to meet unreimbursed expenses for consultations, scans, medicines and even chemotherapy.

“I had no idea how steep the out-of-pocket costs could be, even for a public patient as Antony was,” she says.

“I was working full time, we had a bit of savings and a lovely family and friends who helped us out.

“I have no idea how someone who is by themselves and in a worse financial situation, is able to manage.”

Some out-of-pocket costs will be eliminated under federal Labor’s plan to expand Medicare coverage of scans and consultations and put more drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Megan welcomes the plan and hopes it will ease the financial burden on cancer sufferers in future years.

Antony was treated at St Vincent’s Hospital’s Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Darlinghurst from late 2015 to early 2017.

“Other than an initial consultation and one or two scans, treatment through Kinghorn was mostly free,” Megan says.

To be closer to home, Antony transferred to the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse cancer centre, a not-for-profit facility in Camperdown.

The state government has paid Lifehouse to treat public patients since it took over many of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s cancer services in 2013.

“I was shocked to find that we had to pay for chemo at Lifehouse, even as a public patient,” Megan says. Antony’s fortnightly chemotherapy dose cost them between $100-$150.

Other out-of-spocket expenses included over-thecounter anti-nausea drugs, which could cost several dollars a day, and Antony’s liquid diet in the final weeks

A Lifehouse doctor prescribed medicinal cannabis, which is not covered under the PBS and cost $400 for a three to four-week course.

Medicinal cannabis was “amazingly beneficial for Antony but would be cost-prohibitive to many people,” Megan says.

Antony chose to spend the last eight days of his life with his family, at home.

However, the decision not to die in hospital cost more than $1000 in out-of-pocket expenses ranging from delivery and return of the hospital bed to pain-killing injections.

“We found we had to pay for all the drugs that would have been free had Antony gone into palliative care in hospital,” Megan says.

“Antony’s oral medications were covered by the PBS – we only paid a few dollars a dose. But when he could no longer swallow, and I had to administer his medicine subcutaneously, we had to pay anything from $40 to $120 a pop.

“I dropped $200 to $400 every time I went to the chemist – it was crazy.”

Megan says it’s ironic that if Antony had chosen to die in hospital he would have taken up a room and been fed and cared for by nurses at much greater cost to the taxpayer.

“The nurses who came to our house were wonderful.

But even taking their costs into account, I’m sure that would have been a cheaper option for the government than taking up a bed in the palliative care unit.

“Being able to die at home was much better; everyone should be allowed to do that. But it shouldn’t cost the patient more than staying in hospital.” ■

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PUBLIC HEALTH

Budget ignores coming ‘illness tsunami’ The Morrison government’s April budget did little to prevent major illnesses related to factors such as obesity and alcohol abuse, experts say.

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ublic health advocacy groups and experts welcomed certain health care initiatives announced in the federal budget last month but said it invested too little in disease prevention.

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), which represents more than 40 public health-related disciplines, said the budget’s extension of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule ($1 billion) and mental health and suicide prevention commitments ($736 million) were among several valuable investments.

However, PHAA chief executive Terry Slevin said two of our biggest killers – obesity and alcohol – were “conspicuous by their absence” in the budget, which “does little to prevent a future illness tsunami”.

‘ Warning bells are sounding all over the health sector – increased obesity levels, the health threats of climate change and record rates of chronic disease – yet the current government doesn’t appear to be listening.’

— Jennifer Doggett, Australian Health Care Reform Alliance is important and essential. But a continual downward spiral in real prevention is a trend we must seriously address.”

Mr Slevin called for major action to contain “the explosion of obesity and overweight in our community”, limit alcohol-related harm and close the “massive gap” between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal Australians.

Professor Lesley Russell of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy at the University of Sydney noted that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg did not mention Closing the Gap in his budget speech, and there was little in the Budget for Indigenous health.

“Australia is one of the lowest investors in illness prevention of any OECD nation at less than two per cent of our national health spending,” he said.

BUDGET MEASURES A SHORTTERM FIX

“Spending on good health care, effective drugs and research

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The Austra lia n Hea lt h Care Reform Alliance includes organisations such as the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners, Catholic Health Australia and

Doctors Reform Society.

AHCRA chairperson Jennifer Doggett welcomed budget measures such as a new $448 million Primary Care Scheme for patients over 70 and extension of the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

However, she said the Budget ignored calls from experts and health groups for a re-orienting of the health system away from acute care towards prevention and public health.

“This budget provides a suite of short-term measures that barely deal with the symptoms of an ailing system, let alone address their underlying causes,” she said.

FEDERAL ELECTION 2019 / THE ISSUES

Climate change on health agenda Australia will get its first climate change and health strategy if Labor wins government.

‘ Spending on good health care, effective drugs and research is important and essential. But a continual downward spiral in real prevention is a trend we must seriously address.’

— Terry Slevin, Public Health Association of Australia

“Warning bells are sounding all over the health sector – increased obesity levels, the health threats of climate change and record rates of chronic disease – yet the current government doesn’t appear to be listening.

“Funding for medicines, doctors and hospitals dominated the spending measures with little left over to tackle other areas of health care, including public health and prevention.”

The Australian Medical Association has described obesity as Australia’s biggest public health challenge.

Ms Doggett said the budget did not include any measures targeting obesity, which costs taxpayers about $5 billion each year.

This was despite repeated calls from the health sector for action on obesity and specifically for a sugar-sweetened beverages tax. ■

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he World Health Organization calls climate change one of the greatest health risks of the 21st century.

Not only do rising temperatures and more extreme weather events cost lives directly. They also increase transmission of infectious diseases and “undermine the environmental determinants of health, including clean air and water, and sufficient food,” the WHO says.

In response to this and similar warnings, Labor will develop Australia’s first National Strategy on Climate Change and Health if it wins the coming federal election.

Labor health spokesperson Catherine King says the federal government must take the lead on protecting public health from the impacts of climate change.

Ms King says Australians are already experiencing the health impacts of climate change.

“Australia’s health experts have estimated that heatwaves in Victoria in 2009 and 2014 contributed to 374 and 167 extra deaths respectively,” she says.

“Climate change is increasing the likelihood of events such as the 2016 thunderstorm asthma event in Victoria, which caused a 3000 per cent increase in asthma-related admissions to intensive care.

“Reduced productivity due to extreme heat already costs the Australian economy over $8 billion annually and the economic losses and health risks will increase significantly as climate change impacts worsen.”

She says Labor will work with groups like the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Doctors for the Environment and the Climate and Health Alliance – a coalition of more than 30 health and medical organisations – to develop and implement the strategy.

“In contrast, the Liberals still can’t agree that climate change is real, while their record on health is one of cuts, soaring costs for patients and neglect of our health system.” ■

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PUBLIC HEALTH

Mental health: Budget opens new doors to empty rooms Despite increased government spending, Australia lacks quality services to deal with the nation’s escalating suicide rate.

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he Morrison government’s April budget responded to the nation’s rising suicide rate with an investment of $737 million into the mental health sector over seven years.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 3128 deaths by suicide in 2017, a nine per cent increase over the previous year.

Older people are more likely to take their own lives than young people and males commit suicide at more than three times the rate of females, the Bureau said.

P s ych i a t r i s t Ian H ick ie , co-director of Sydney University’s Brain and Mind Centre, said the $737 million would fund “worthy” initiatives, but the Budget failed to address major str uctura l challenges in mental health and suicide prevention.

Professor Hickie, a member of the National Mental Health Commission, said the government’s plan to roll out eight Headspacestyle centres for adults would simply

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‘ The next federal government faces major structural challenges in mental health and suicide prevention.’ — Professor Ian Hickie create another “access point” to a mental health system that lacks appropriate services.

“You can’t just have more and more open doors when there’s nothing behind the door,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“What’s lacking are sophisticated services that are easily accessible and organised,” he said.

Commenting elsewhere, Prof Hickie said flaws in Australia’s mental health system included “poor access to quality services, the uneven roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the lack of accountability for reforming the system”.

“The next federal government faces major structural challenges in mental health and suicide prevention,” he said.

“Not surprisingly, this preelection budget does not directly address these issues.”

He said the budget focuses on “less challenging but worthy” targets such as continued support for expansion of Headspace services for young people, additional support for early psychosis services, support for workplace-based mental health programs and support for new residential care centres for eating disorders.

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CHANGE THE RULES

NZ builds a consensus on wage fairness Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger introduced one of the world’s most extreme examples of anti-union legislation.

Now he is a strong advocate for the rejuvenation of the union movement.

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he signature policy of Jim Bolger’s National Party government of the early 1990s was the Employment Contracts Act (ECA). It “ranks as one of the most extreme examples of anti-union legislation in post-war history” wrote New Zealand media commentator Chris Trotter.

The ECA, introduced in 1991, decentralised the wages system, replaced awards with individual contracts and ended compulsory unionism. Even the word “union” was excluded from the legislation.

Within four yea rs of its introduction, union membership in New Zealand had fallen from 46 per cent to 21 per cent.

Twenty-eight years later New Zealand unions are still struggling, especially in the private sector. Here, union density was just under 50 per cent in 1990. It was less than 10 per cent in 2017.

So, for many New Zealanders it was no small shock for Bolger to declare in an interview in 2017 that the neoliberal policies he championed had failed and that unions were too small and deserved to have a greater influence and a

26 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

‘ We believe we have designed a Fair Pay Agreements system, which will be most useful in sectors or occupations where competition is driving a ‘race to the bottom’ in terms of wages and conditions.’ — Jim Bolger stronger voice.

Several months later, Labor Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern put Bolger in charge of a committee to design a new wages system.

Bolger and his union, employer and academic committee members delivered their report in late January this year.

“We believe we have designed a Fair Pay Agreements system which, will be most useful in sectors or occupations where competition is driving a ‘race to the bottom’ in terms of wages and conditions,” Bolger said.

The report found that: • one in four NZ wage-earners earns less than $NZ20 an hour – when the

average wage is $31.63 • these workers are disproportionately young, women, Māori or Pasifika, or part-timers • as of 2016, just 15.9 per cent of New Zealand employees were covered by collective agreements, half the OECD average.

The committee pointed out that New Zealand’s industrial bargaining system badly failed to meet global benchmarks.

“The OECD recommends a mo del of combi ne d se c tor and enterprise level collective bargaining, because it is associated with higher employment, lower unemployment, a better integration of vulnerable groups and less wa ge inequa lit y t ha n f u lly

NEW ZEALAND NURSES STRIKE FOR BETTER PAY IN JULY 2018 AFTER WAGE GROWTH WAS VIRTUALLY FROZEN UNDER THE PREVIOUS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT FOR NINE YEARS.

decentralised systems like ours,” the working group said.

The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Iain LeesGalloway, welcomed the report and said it “outlines the challenges in making p ol ic y ch a n ge s around fair pay. New Zealand is out of step with the OECD both in terms of income inequality and productivity”.

The Bolger committee's model would “facilitate conversations not only about fair wage rates but about tra ining pat hways and opportunities to increase productivity and profit”.

Bolger counselled the National Party he once led to respond to the report with “calmness and just say there are issues raised here that we as a party in Parliament need to reflect on”.

“The most disappointing [outcome] would be if they were to dismiss it [the report] as of no consequence.

NZ moves towards industry bargaining The New Zealand government’s fair pay working group delivered 46 recommendations, which it says it will help see an end of the “race to the bottom” when it comes to wages. It recommended that: • Fair Pay Agreements set minimum standards across an industry or occupation • workers may initiate a Fair Pay Agreement if they meet a minimum threshold of 1000 people or 10 per cent of workers in the sector or occupation, whichever is lower • employees cannot be employed on individual contracts except in a few, temporary circumstances • workers, whether union members or not, should be represented by unions and employers may be represented by employer organisations • costs for bargaining should be met by government, a levy or bargaining fees.

“My old party has to accept, as they do, that the world is changing and we have to change to keep ahead.” ■

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 27

NURSE PRACTITIONERS

Report recommends more scope for nurse practitioners A new report has recommended expanding the range of procedures and referral services that nurse practitioners can offer to their patients under the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

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he report, prepared by the Nurse Practitioners Reference Group (NPRG) for the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review Taskforce, says increasing the scope of practice for Australia’s 1745 endorsed nurse practitioners (NPs) will not only deliver better health outcomes across the community, it will create a more cost-effective and effective health care system.

Lorna Scott, an NP in the Hunter region and the Vice President of the NSWNMA, welcomes the report’s recommendations.

She says, currently, if an NP in private practice wants their clients to have a mammogram, they need to refer them to a GP to be covered by the MBS scheme.

As an NP in the public system at the East Maitland Community Health Centre, Lorna says she is fortunate to be able to refer patients for services and tests within the public system without patients being out of pocket. But the situation is more complicated when she sees patients in rural areas where radiology services are available privately but not in public hospitals.

“Because I don’t have access to the MBS, I have to either refer a client in Singleton back to the GP for an MBS referral to have a mammogram,

28 | THE LAMP FEDERAL ELECTION 2019

‘Because I don’t currently have access to the MBS a client who may have a breast mass has the option of a 180km round trip for a mammogram, or referring them to a GP to get one done locally.’ — Lorna Scott, nurse

practitioner and Vice President of the NSWNMA or I have to send them down to the Mater Newcastle,” Lorna says.

“Because I don’t currently have access to the MBS a client who may have a breast mass has the option of a 180km round trip for a mammogram, or referring them to a GP to get one done locally. That means waiting for a GP appointment and the cost that involves if it cannot be bulk billed.”

Lorna also welcomes proposals in the report to open up more items in the MBS to NPs so that a lot of procedures that private nurse practitioners now already routinely do, such as biopsies and inserting contraceptive implants, are covered.

The NP is “a wonderful holistic position” that plays a unique role in the health system, Lorna says.

“I never know what people are coming in for. Usually appointments with us are for an hour, so we have the opportunity to discuss health concerns. Someone might come in for cervical screening, but you may actually end up talking about domestic violence, endometriosis, past sexual abuse, diabetes or whatever else is important for them at that time.”

Lorna believes NPs could make the health care system even more efficient and effective, while saving clients’ time and money, if they could refer clients to specialist dieticians or psychologists under a mental health plan without referring them first to GPs to get an MBS-rebated referral. ■

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BROKEN HILL EDUCATION

CPD

CPD

6

4

Clinical Communication and Documentation Wednesday 5 June Musicians Club 276 Crystal Street

$

Members $95 Non-members $190 9.00am – 4.30pm

This workshop explores the importance of the legal and ethical frameworks around communication and documentation that govern nursing and midwifery practice.

Bullying: Let’s put an end to it $ Thursday 6 June Members $50 Musicians Club Non-members $100 276 Crystal Street 9.00am – 1.00pm This ½- day seminar covers topics such as anti-discrimination law, identifying unlawful harassment and bullying, understand what can be done if subjected to harassment and bullying and assists managers and supervisors to identify, prevent and resolve bullying and harassment.

PLEASE REGISTER EARLY! We have minimum numbers in order to proceed with delivery of education sessions.

Lunch and/or refreshments are provided and you will receive a CPD Certificate at the end of each course.

REGISTER ONLINE

bit.ly/educationNSWNMA

Attendance at NSWNMA education sessions may count towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. The number of hours noted beside each course is the maximum amount of claimable CPD hours. Unless otherwise noted, our courses are suitable for all Nurses, Midwives and Assistants in Nursing/Midwifery.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION 2019 THE LAMP FEDERAL ELECTION 2019 | 29

OBITUARY

VA L E

Carol Cowan

C

1942 – 2018

arol spent almost 40 years in the profession of nursing, a profession she loved and enjoyed.

Her experience was diverse and wide ranging and from early in her career, she developed innovative nursing practices. In her first 16 years of nursing, she did three certificates and worked in Queensland, Victoria and NSW, and overseas in Canada and Britain, before settling in NSW in the early 70s.

Here, Carol’s prodigious intellect, incisive writing, communication and computing skills came into their own.

She studied at the University of NSW, Sydney University and Cumberland College of Health Sciences and was recognised with several awards. Carol was the author of an impressive list of publications on nursing and was sought after as a speaker at seminars and conferences on both broad professional issues and issues related to home nursing care.

She was a prominent member of the nursing profession in NSW for several decades as a nurse educator and staff counsellor at Prince Henry/Prince of Wales hospitals and played an important role in the move of nurse education into the tertiary sector in the early 80s. This introduced her to computers, a skill she mastered and made use of in the next chapter of her career when she joined the Sydney Home Nursing Service (SHNS) as a senior nurse manager in 1983.

Carol quickly became an articulate and effective advocate for the Service and made an outstanding contribution to home nursing at both state and national level over the next 15 years until her retirement in 1998.

She considered her time at SHNS the best years of her nursing career. It was the place that epitomised the values of nursing most and where she was able to give back to nursing what she had received.

I had the honour of working with Carol during this time, a time of growth and expansion that required effective and efficient management and creativity. Among her many achievements, Carol used her computer knowledge to write a program for the accurate and regular measurement of nursing workloads, developed quality assurance and integrated this into line management and co-wrote the Service Quality Assurance manual (with the late Janet Bean).

Besides her role within the SHNS, Carol had active involvement on the Management Committee of the

30 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

Australian Council of Community Nursing Services and played an important role in the development of the Community Nursing Minimum Data Set – Australia. This evolved into a working party with the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, which devised the standards for the accreditation of Home Nursing Services in Australia.

Carol was active in the broader profession as well, as a Fellow and Councillor of the NSW College of Nursing and the Institute of Nursing Administrators of NSW and ACT from 1989. She was a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing Australia, now the Australian College of Nursing, and became a Distinguished Life Fellow in July 2017. Her Memberships of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association and the Australian Nursing Federation went back as far as 1974.

Carol’s contribution to nursing was recognised when she was given the honour of delivering the NSW College of Nursing Oration at the Great Hall of Sydney University in 1996.

Nursing, patients, and nurses of the SHNS were enriched by her contribution and vision.

I would like to acknowledge the people who were central to Carol’s personal life. Sue Hilliker, her partner for the best part of 40 years, and her extensive family in Queensland and beyond, with whom she communicated regularly and loved dearly. During the past few years as Carol’s health had its ups and downs, Sue was always there for Carol and in March last year they married.

Carol also mentioned that Sue made it her business to steer her onto interests apart from work prior to her retirement and promised there’d be “plenty of time to follow up on all of those interests”.

I’m pleased to say this was the case over most of that time. They shared a deep interest in genealogy, made multiple trips to Queensland for family occasions, went on several cruises and overseas trips, had regular visits to the theatre and opera with friends, attended card-making classes and, twice a year, had a long weekend catch up with previous work colleagues playing “Pennies from Heaven”, a card game imported from Queensland.

I consider myself fortunate to have known Carol for so long as a friend and colleague, and on behalf of those of us who have also had that good fortune, I thank you, Carol.

You will be greatly missed.

Mary McInerney

FINANCIALS

New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association

T

Summary of Financial Information for the Year Ended 31 December 2018

he financial statements of the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association have been audited in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act 1991, and the following summary is provided for members in accordance with Section 517(2) of the Act, as applied by section 282(3) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1996.

A copy of the Financial Statements, including the independent Audit Report, will be supplied free of charge to members upon request. Certificates required to be given under the Act by the Accounting Officer and the Committee of Management have been completed in accordance with the provisions of the Act and contain no qualifications.

Summary Financial StatementS

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018 2018 ($) 2017 ($) Membership revenue 39,480,339 35,731,324 NursePower fund subscriptions 2,077,915 3,970,143 Other income 2,413,995 2,926,638 Total income 43,972,249 42,628,105 Less total expenditure (44,053,907) (38,609,364) Result for the year (81,658) 4,018,741 Remeasurement of retirement benefit obligations 56,477 255,414 Total comprehensive income attributable to members (25,181) 4,274,155

the audited Financial report and our report thereon

SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2018 Total equity 46,057,922 Represented by: Current assets 13,471,942 Non-current assets 39,871,118 Total assets 53,343,060 Current liabilities 7,166,069 Non-current liabilities 119,069 Total liabilities 7,285,138 Net assets 46,057,922

46,083,103

The summary financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by section 510 of the Industrial Relations Act 1991 [NSW] or Australian Accounting Standards. Reading the summary financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon, therefore, is not a substitute for reading the audited financial report and the auditor’s report thereon.

We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on the audited financial report in our report dated 2 April 2019. Our Independent Auditor’s Report to the members on the Financial Report did not contain any particulars of any deficiency, failure or shortcoming as referred to in the Industrial Relations Act, 1991 [NSW], as applied by section 282(3) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1996.

committee oF management’S reSponSibility For the Summary Financial StatementS

The Committee of Management is responsible for the preparation of the summary financial statements.

auditor’S reSponSibility 20,079,128 32,220,678 52,299,806 6,119,678 97,025 6,216,703 46,083,103

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on whether the summary financial statements are a fair summary of the audited financial report based on our procedures, which were conducted in accordance with Auditing Standard ASA 810 Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements.

Daley & Co

INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED TO MEMBERS OR REGISTRAR In accordance with the requirements of the Industrial Relations Act, 1991 [NSW] the attention of members is drawn to the provisions of Sub-Sections (1) and (2) of Section 512 which read as follows: (1) A member of an organisation, or the Industrial Registrar, may apply to the organisation for specified information prescribed by the regulations in relation to the organisation.

(2) An organisation must, on the making of such an application, make the specified information available to the member or the Industrial Registrar in the manner, and within the time, prescribed by the regulations.

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR ON THE SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES NURSES AND MIDWIVES’ ASSOCIATION opinion

The summary financial statements which comprise the summary balance sheet as at 31 December 2018 and the summary statement of profit or loss and comprehensive income for the year then ended are derived from the audited financial report of New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association for the year ended 31 December 2018. In our opinion, the accompanying summary financial statements are a fair summary of the audited financial report.

Chartered Accountants

Stephen Milgate

Partner

2 April 2019, Wollongong Liability limited by a Scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

A copy of the Financial Report, including the Independent Audit Report, may be found on the Members page of the website www.nswnma.asn.au or can be obtained upon written application to: Brett Holmes, General Secretary, New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association, 50 O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo 2017.

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 31

NEWS IN BRIEF

AUSTRALIA

Seven in 10 Australians want action on wages More than 70 per cent of Australians want action on low wage growth according to a new poll conducted for the ACTU immediately prior to the federal budget.

It found that 80 per cent of working Australians haven’t received a pay rise that has kept pace with the rising cost of living in the last 12 months.

More than half of working people had not had a pay rise at all, while a further 28.6 per cent had received an increase so small it did not cover the expanding cost of essential items.

Three in four voters said that low wage growth was either the top issue or an important issue when they considered how they would vote in the federal election.

BRITAIN

Brexit risks destabilising care The head of the Royal College of Nursing warns that the loss of nurses due to Brexit will have a significant impact on the British health system.

Dame Donna Kinnair was addressing a parliamentary committee examining a bill on the free movement in Britain for people from other European Union countries.

She said that the loss of nurses as a result of Brexit risked destabilising the health sector.

“We have a large proportion of EU workers – 10 per cent to 11 per cent of nursing workers are from the EU currently, and with a backdrop of 42,000 vacancies in nursing, losing any nurse is a problem, so this does have unintended consequences.”

The RCN leader said successive governments had relied on the international recruitment of nurses rather than growing a domestic supply.

“So whether we are talking about people from the EU or outside the EU, anything that inhibits that will impact on our ability to deliver care to the people of this country,” she added.

She said raising the retirement age to 70 – also under consideration as a part of immigration policy changes –should be approached “with great caution”.

“Nursing is a very physically demanding job. I suspect we will have nurses on Zimmer frames pushing patients on Zimmer frames if we continue to carry on in this manner.”

‘ I suspect we will have nurses on Zimmer frames pushing patients on Zimmer frames if we continue to carry on in this manner.’

— Dame Donna Kinnair, Royal College of Nursing 32 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

Wages have been stalled in real terms for more than six years, with real median wage growth close to zero, says the ACTU, despite the consistently optimistic forecasts by the Morrison government for higher wage growth.

More than six in 10 people polled approved of the ALP’s proposal to increase the minimum wage to a living wage.

‘ Three in four voters said that low wage growth was either the top issue or an important issue when they considered how they would vote in the federal election. ’

NEWS IN BRIEF

AUSTRALIA

Coalition delays to super increases costing retirees $100,000 Labor has pledged to push super up to 12 per cent.

AUSTRALIA

Senate inquiry supports ACTU call to tighten temporary work visas The ACTU argues that the current rules deny locals jobs and training opportunities, depress wages and allow businesses to exploit temporary visa holders.

A new report by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee has recommended a significant tightening of the current temporary visa scheme. It proposes: • Banning the use of ABNs to employ temporary visa holders • Raising the income threshold for skilled migrants to $62,000 a year and indexing it annually • Requiring the government to provide evidence for occupations they want to open up to temporary visa holders • Increasing TAFE funding for local workers • Requiring more evidence for labour market testing to ensure locals are not being passed over for work.

The ACTU wants the earning threshold be raised because the $26,000 salary gap between hiring temporary visa holders and hiring and training a local person can be exploited by employers to drive wages down.

ACTU president Michelle O’Neil said businesses who want to hire locally and pay fairly should not have to compete with dodgy operators who bend and break the rules.

“Our current rules are short-changing locals and allowing business to game the system to its own advantage, depressing wages and exploiting visitors to our country,” she said.

Labor’s shadow treasurer Chris Bowen says there will be no further delays in increasing compulsory superannuation payments to 12 per cent if Labor comes to office in the May election.

Bowen claims that delays by the Liberal–National government to implementing the legislated increase from 9.5 to 12 per cent meant people retiring today have nearly $100,000 less in super than if the original 1993 timetable had been implemented.

“Let me make it clear that the Labor Party does not regard a 9.5 per cent super guarantee as providing adequacy. We will brook no further delay to the legislated timetable,” he told The Australian Financial Review’s Banking and Wealth Summit.

Labor’s commitment came after modelling by Treasury showed the age pension is on track to cost the nation less than previously predicted – an indication that Australians are relying less on the pension in their retirement.

The Australian reported that Treasury retirement-income modelling found the share of GDP spent on the age pension will fall to 2.5 per cent by 2038 – “significantly lower” than previous estimates.

Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia chief executive Dr Martin Fahy told The New Daily the Treasury report shows that the burden on the aged pension continues to decline and it “creates a very strong case for saying that superannuation is working, and that by going to 12 per cent as is legislated, it will continue to work”.

‘ Let me make it clear that the Labor Party does not regard a 9.5 per cent super guarantee as providing adequacy.’

— Chris Bowen

‘ Our current rules are shortchanging locals and allowing business to game the system to its own advantage, depressing wages and exploiting visitors to our country.’ — Michelle O’Neil, ACTU president.

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 33

NEWS IN BRIEF

BRITAIN

Nationalise Big Pharma says ex-banker Fixing the broken antibiotics market may require turning drug companies into nationalised or state-run utilities, says Jim O’Neill.

O’Neill was formerly chief economist at merchant banking colossus Goldman Sachs and, later, he became the UK’s “superbug tsar”.

He said drastic measures are needed to ensure the development and production of new antibiotics are not at the mercy of market forces, reported The Guardian.

O’Neill said “fixing the broken antibiotics market” may require measures comparable to the way banks or parts of their businesses were taken over by the government after the 2008 financial crash.

“It’s what happened in finance in the end. If you’re not going to do it yourself, we’re going to turn certain parts of your business into being a utility,” he said.

Between 2014 and 2016, O’Neill was chairman of the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, which produced several reports on the looming dangers of overuse of antibiotics and drug-resistant bacteria.

Drug-resistant superbugs pose a serious global threat, especially since no new classes of antibiotic have been developed since the 1980s.

In 1980, a total of 25 large drug companies had active antibiotic discovery programs. Since then, their numbers have dwindled to just three: Pfizer, MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) and GSK (GlaxoSmithKline). Their antibiotic “pipelines” are said to be very small.

Currently there were 26 candidate antibiotics in the global pharma pipeline, but almost all were simply modifications of older drugs, and few targeted the most dangerous microbes listed as “priority pathogens” by the World Health Organization.

‘ It’s what happened in finance in the end. If you’re not going to do it yourself, we’re going to turn certain parts of your business into being a utility.’ — Jim O’Neill

34 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

BRITAIN

Parental sleep deprivation may last six years after birth New research has found unexpected long-term changes in sleep patterns after the birth of a child.

It’s no surprise that having children disrupts parents’ sleep. More surprising is how long sleep deprivation lasts after the birth of a child.

The study from the University of Warwick was published in the peerreviewed journal Sleep. Researchers carried out annual interviews with 4,659 people who had a child during the eight-year study period.

Women and men both reported drops in sleep length and quality after the birth of their first child. Neither parent’s sleep went back to pre-pregnancy levels even four to six years after giving birth.

The difference from pre-pregnancy sleep was most apparent three months after giving birth, when women reported sleep shorter by an average 62 minutes, and men by 13 minutes. The researchers said factors such as age, wealth and single parenthood did not make any difference to parents’ sleep time or satisfaction.

Breastfeeding did affect women’s sleep. Breastfeeding women slept on average 14 minutes less than women who didn't breastfeed.

The researchers said the differences between sleep changes in men and women “may be associated with the observation that mothers, including working women, spend more time on household and child rearing tasks compared with fathers”.

They said “advice and support should be routinely given to new parents preparing for childbirth, towards managing sleep expectations and to encourage them to take precautions to reduce risks from the effects of sleep fragmentation and deprivation”.

‘ Advice and support should be routinely given to new parents preparing for childbirth, towards managing sleep expectations.’

NEWS IN BRIEF

BRITAIN

Life expectancy of poorer women drops in England Widening inequality, and austerity cuts to health and social services, blamed for the drop.

Between 2012-14 and 2015-17, the life expectancy of women in the poorest parts of England fell by 98 days, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Life expectancy for women in wealthy areas rose by almost 84 days, resulting in an increase in the gap of around half a year in the length of the lives of the poorest and wealthiest women.

Overall, between 2012-14 and 2015-17, the life expectancy of women in the poorest parts of England fell by 98 days, for women living in the most deprived areas of England was 78.7 years, compared with 86.2 years for those in the least deprived areas – a gap of around seven and a half years.

Among men, life expectancy for those in the most deprived parts of England was 74 years, compared with 83.3 years in the least deprived areas – a gap of nearly 10 years.

Widening inequality, austerity-fuelled cuts to health and social care, increasing job insecurity, poor access to good food and hunger could all be playing a role in the increasing differences in life expectancy, Faiza Shaheen, the director of the CLASS think tank, told The Guardian.

“For a long time growing life expectancy has been a sign of society progressing, so if that’s reversing, and we have seen this for the last few years now, then we have got some serious questions to ask ourselves about what progress looks like,” she said.

‘ Life expectancy has been a sign of society progressing, so if that’s reversing, we have got some serious questions to ask ourselves about what progress looks like.’

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 35

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

SYDNEY METRO

Waterloo

NSW REGIONAL

May to July 2019 Education

FAR WEST Broken Hill

Medications: How we do it better, Thursday 9 May, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours Self-Care Seminar, Friday 17 May, $60 / $120, 5 ½ CPD Hours Understanding the Four Human Behavioural Styles, Thursday 23 May, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours Enrolled Nurses’ Seminar, Friday 24 May, $60 / $120, 5 CPD Hours, EN Emotional Intelligence Training, Thursday 13 June, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours Know where you stand with Law, Ethics and Professional Standards in nursing and midwifery, Thursday 20 June, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours

Clinical Communication and Documentation, Wednesday 5 June, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours Bullying: Let’s put an end to it, Thursday 6 June, $50 / $100, 4 CPD Hours

HUNTER NEW ENGLAND Scone

Know where you stand with Law, Ethics and Professional Standards in Nursing and Midwifery, Wednesday 29 May, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours Your Annual CPD Obligations, Thursday 30 May, $50 / $100, 4 CPD Hours, RN, EN, MW

Wound Care: Leg Ulcers and Compression Dressing, 2-Day Course, Fridays 12 and 26 July, $190 / $380, 12 CPD Hours Palliative Care Workshop – NEW, Wednesday 31 July, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours

Blacktown

Wound Care: Pathophysiology, Skin Tears and Pressure Injury Prevention, Wednesday 15 May, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours Increasing Resilience in Stressful and Changing Times, Tuesday 16 July, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours

Campbelltown

Ageing and Disability: New Challenges in Service Delivery, Wednesday 26 June, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours

Dee Why

Clinical Communication and Documentation, Wednesday 8 May, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours

Gymea

Bullying: Let’s put an end to it, Wednesday 15 May, $50 / $100, 4 CPD Hours

Hornsby

How to get that dream job: Portfolio/CV Writing, Job Application and Interview Skills, Wednesday 12 June, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours

ILLAWARRA SHOALHAVEN Wollongong

Dementia Management Training, Wednesday 15 May, $95 / $190, 7 CPD Hours Alcohol and Other Drugs: The Current Situation, an update for all nurses and midwives, Friday 7 June, $95 / $190, 6 CPD Hours Standard Mental Health First Aid, 2-Day Course, Wednesdays, 24 July and 7 August, $190 / $380, 12 CPD Hours

NORTHERN NSW Ballina

Aged Care Seminar, Thursday 23 May, $60 / $120, 6 CPD Hours

Tweed Heads

Your Annual CPD Obligations, Wednesday 17 July, $50 / $100, 4 CPD Hours, RN, EN, MW

SOUTHERN NSW Goulburn

Dementia Management Training, Tuesday 18 June, $95 / $190, 7 CPD Hours

REGISTRATION IS DUE 31 MAY! Make sure you have all your CPD Hours for the year and start to prepare your learning plan for the next year!

For full details of courses including course content, venue & times, please go to www.nswnma.asn.au

REGISTER ONLINE bit.ly/educationNSWNMA

CPD

Attendance at NSWNMA education sessions may count towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. The number of hours noted beside each course is the maximum amount of claimable CPD hours. Unless otherwise noted, our courses are suitable for all Nurses, Midwives and Assistants in Nursing/Midwifery.

36 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

YOUR RIGHTS

Ask

Judith Breaking News Let’s keep pushing for change It is well documented that the critical challenge facing staff working in nursing homes is to provide adequate, let alone superior, care and support to residents.

Reports in the media regarding poor resident outcomes are commonplace.

Accreditation woes are increasing for some nursing homes as standards are not met. The Aged Care Royal Commission is starting to delve deeper into the chronic problems confronting that industry. One can expect the same with the recently announced Royal Commission into Disability Services when it begins. Already a number of disturbing experiences in that sector have been reported.

It is essential that as a society we recognise the good clinical and financial sense in providing the necessary care and support first time, every time. This is as true for nursing homes and group homes, as it is for hospitals.

Accountability must be strengthened and staffing numbers increased. Both will provide for long-term sustainability and efficiency. At the recent NSW State election, the approach of having shiftby-shift, enforceable nurse-to -patient ratios was criticised by some as being too blunt an instrument. I sadly suspect, for some, the word blunt is used to camouflage their real concern – that shift-by-shift ratios are much harder to flout or manipulate or ignore.

The fight for better resourced and more enforceable staffing systems in all care and support settings must continue to be a priority in every discussion, in every workplace, in every policy debate, in every election. We must never normalise or accept any lesser standard.

Extra shifts at Bupa I work part time at a nursing home run by Bupa. There are always vacant shifts going due to absences. Do part-timers get first go at filling them?

Clause 25.6(i) of the Bupa Aged Care Australia, NSWNMA, ANMF (NSW Branch) and HSU NSW Branch, New

When it comes to your rights and entitlements at work, NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda has the answers.

South Wales Enterprise Agreement 2018 sets out very clearly that “Bupa will always offer additional shifts in the first instance to its permanent part-time staff where practicable.

It will then offer additional shifts to its casual or bank staff, where applicable”.

Starting at Estia Recently I was successful in getting a part-time job at a nursing home operated by Estia.

How will my working hours be set out?

Clause 11.2 of the Estia Health NSW Enterprise Agreement 2016 sets out that before commencing part-time employment, “Estia and a part-time employee will mutually agree in writing the guaranteed minimum number of contract hours and the rostering arrangements that will apply to those hours”.

Complaint about a clinician I have been told about a complaint regarding my performance. My NUM said it would be dealt with via a Ministry of Health policy called Managing Complaints on Clinicians. The complaint seems trivial and hardly warranting a formal process. Does this sound right?

Your NUM is probably referring to PD2018_032 (Managing Complaints and Concerns about Clinicians) which was updated and reissued late last year. Section 1.2 states that less serious matters such as low, level conduct, behaviour, grievance or performance issues should not be managed under this policy. This includes complaints or concerns where the identified risks do not require administrative action to manage patient or staff safety, no external notifications are required and/or there is unlikely to be disciplinary action.

It is expected that your manager or supervisor would usually manage these in line with local performance, conduct or grievance management arrangements, or other local

alternative dispute resolution arrangements, as applicable.

Change to roster and hours I am currently working at a nursing home operated by Opal.

If they want to change rosters and hours of work, what information or process can I expect?

Clause 8.10 of the Opal Aged Care (NSW) Enterprise Agreement 2016 requires the employer to notify concerned employees about any proposed changes to their rosters or ordinary hours of work.

Affected employees can appoint a representative (such as the union) to participate in the consultation process.

Clause 8.13 requires all relevant information about the change, including the nature of the change to be provided, along with how the change will impact on employees.

Affected employees are to be invited to give their views about the impact of the change including any impact in relation to their family or caring responsibilities.

Next pay increase at Bupa When is the next pay increase due for nurses working in a nursing home run by Bupa?

Under the Bupa Aged Care Australia, NSWNMA, ANMF (NSW Branch) and HSU NSW Branch, New South Wales Enterprise Agreement 2018, the next pay increase (of 3.1 per cent) will commence in the first full pay period on or from 1 July 2019.

Posting rosters

How much notice should I receive of my roster? I work at a hospital run by Healthe Care.

Clause 14(iii) of the Healthe Care Pty Ltd (New South Wales Hospitals) and the NSWNMA/ANMF NSW Branch Enterprise Agreement 2017 sets out that rosters will be displayed in a conveniently accessible place, and where practicable, four weeks in advance, but in any event not less than two weeks before the start of the roster.

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 37

ANNUAL CONFERENCE ICC, SYDNEY | 3-5 JULY 2019

Keynote Speakers

CRAIG REUCASSEL

Writer & Comedian, The War on Waste and The Chaser HEALTHCARE WASTE

tainability s u S e& r a C Promoting Self

KAMAL SARMA

Rezilium Director & Chair Conversations ThinkTank at R U OK? DIGITAL RESILIENCE: THRIVING IN A DIGITALLY TRANSFORMING WORLD

NSW Nurses & Midwives’ Professional Day

WEDNESDAY 3 JULY 9AM – 5.20PM ICC SYDNEY, PYRMONT THEATRE

MC

Isaac Astill

Sophie Scott

2013 Young Environmentalist of the Year & Co-Founder, Tipping Point BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CAMPAIGNS

ABC National Medical Reporter

SPEAKERS

Jacqui Cross

Prof Susan Kurrle

Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer, NSW Health CHIEF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY OFFICER ADDRESS

Director, Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre & Curran Chair in Health Care of Older People, University of Sydney AGEING SUCCESSFULLY

Dr Sally Hunt

Clinical Psychologist & Senior Lecturer, University of Newcastle WHY ARE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN DRINKING MORE AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

Dr Jacqui Pich

Lecturer & Researcher, University of Technology Sydney VIOLENCE IN NURSING AND MIDWIFERY

Dr Carlo Caponecchia

Senior Lecturer, University of New South Wales & President, International Association on Workplace Bullying and Harassment (IAWBH) PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS AT WORK: WHS FRAMEWORKS

COST

Early-Bird Rate (until Friday 7 June)

Full Rate

(8 to 21 June)

Members

$110

$160

Non-members

$160

$240

Retired Associate Members and Student Members

$60

$90

Branch Officials

Free

Free

Register now!

bit.ly/educationNSWNMA

REGISTRATION CLOSES 5pm, Friday 21 June

SOCIAL MEDIA

Do you have a story to tell? An opinion to share?

Nurse Uncut is a blog written by everyday nurses and midwives.

We welcome your ideas at nurseuncut@nswnma.asn.au

New on our Support Nurses YouTube channel

A MESSAGE FROM BRETT HOLMES NSWNMA General Secretary Brett Holmes has an important message for members after the 2019 NSW Election. http://bit.ly/ brettmessage2019state

SUSAN AND PAUL’S STORY Susan and Paul tell us why they think it’s time for safe nurse-topatient ratios. http://bit.ly/ susanpaulonratios Connect with us on Facebook Nurse Uncut www.facebook. com/NurseUncutAustralia New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association www.facebook.com/nswnma Ratios put patient safety first www.facebook.com/ safepatientcare Aged Care Nurses www.facebook.com/ agedcarenurses Look for your local branch on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/nswnma

Budget a ‘missed opportunity’ to support aged care The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has declared that the Morrison government’s ‘back in black’ budget doesn’t do enough for the elderly or their nurses. https://www. nurseuncut.com.au/budget-amissed-opportunity-to-supportaged-care-nurses-and-care-staff/

Australia will never be HIV-free if access to prevention requires a Medicare card Health researcher Nicholas Medland writes about the need to expand Australia’s HIV prevention program to beyond those with a Medicare card. https://www.nurseuncut.com.au/ australia-will-never-be-hiv-free-ifaccess-to-prevention-requires-amedicare-card/

‘You’re only a nurse’: What Nurse Jan has to say about that.

A nurse gives her thoughts on how she felt when a patient told her she was “just a nurse”. https://www.nurseuncut. com.au/youre-only-a-nurse-whatnurse-jan-has-to-say/

Bullying of health workers endangers patient safety Johanna Westbrook and Neroli Sunderland from Macquarie University discuss how bullying and harassment can affect how we look after our patients. https://www.nurseuncut. com.au/bullying-and-harassmentof-health-workers-endangerspatient-safety/

Follow us on Twitter @nswnma / @nurseuncut

Night shift plays havoc with the gut

Share on Instagram by tagging @nswnma and don’t forget to use the hashtag #nswnma!

New research finds that night shift knocks the digestive system out of sync with the body’s central biological clock. https://www.nurseuncut.com.au/ night-shift-plays-havoc-with-gut/

Listen to our podcast Using the NMBA Decision Making Framework – Dean Murphy http://bit.ly/ nmbaframework THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 39

y a D ’ s a y D e ’ s v e i Inte s r w u d i N rnational M ional & Internat 5 MAY 2019

12 MA Y 20 19

Our thanks to you

He a off d to b nt e it.ly/I iscou r d s av f for o e NMD2019 to access a rang ai you all hank t the lable to nu l a i c e ay. rses and midwives as a sp work – 12 M 5 n you do e . Available for purchase betwe

40 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

Authorised by B.Holmes, General Secretary, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association

SOCIAL MEDIA

your

Say Budget snub to aged care The Morrison government’s budget drew your ire for its lack of attention to aged care.

Let’s call on them to walk in our shoes on the ward in the nursing home and do what nurses do day-to-day, 24/7.

I think it will never change.

The aged and their carers are not important or relevant in getting votes.

Politicians don’t know what respect is. The staff in general are amazing and so very kind. I’ve worked in aged care for 40 years – it’s rewarding but incredibly hard.

They’re just taking your vote for granted. Time to remove political parties that fail you in your time of need.

Of course it was a disappointment for aged care residents and their carers. This government couldn’t give a toss about our elderly or any other vulnerable people in our communities. You only have to consider the absolute stuff-up called NDIS to be aware that the needs of these people are this government’s last priority.

I wish we had politicians who cared more about those in need than those who pay them. People with compassion and caring – but it’s so far removed from this.

Unfortunately, I doubt politicians will ever know

What nurses and midwives said and liked on Facebook www.facebook.com/nswnma

what it’s like to be in a bad facility. They get paid too bloody much and would go only where it’s high quality or get everything they want and need at home. They will never understand or care to understand what it’s like for the ordinary person, let alone the aged.

It's so sad how poorly we as carers, our clients, and residences are treated.

No respect at all.

As if they care about aged care. They are only concentrating on winning.

Very self-centred, in my opinion.

Rebirth of the Living Wage Here’s what you had to say about the idea of turning the minimum wage into a living wage for all Australians.

As a society, we need to demand that a person who works full time at a job earns enough to keep them above the poverty line! Or else the lure of social security is too much, or people are forced to work multiple jobs, or cut essentials like food or heat, to make ends meet.

We need a living wage, not this minimum they try and pay us to struggle on.

I wonder what a living wage is nowadays when normally well-paid professionals can’t even think to buy a home or even put a roof over their heads in a place they want to live and work.

the gallery

/1

Clueless Cormann Finance Minister Mathias Cormann confirmed that Australia’s low wage growth was part of his party’s design for our economy. Here’s what nurses and midwives thought about that idea.

He’s just another politician who hasn’t got a clue. They can give themselves a pay rise of 11 per cent and a better pension, plus don’t forget their super funds and their travel allowance.

That's right, and there’s their lunch money as well!

For the right wing ‘flexible’ means lower; they never want anyone but themselves to get a pay rise.

The truth is, they want stagnant wages but high profits for businesses. It’s an incredibly short-sighted view too. If people have no wages growth, they can’t and won’t spend. When businesses aren’t getting paying customers, they either go out of business or put prices up to those who are spending… and the cycle continues.

They have no idea how it all works, and they think they are economic managers.

They are a bunch of fools who think they have a piggy bank to play with.

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/5 1/ Nurses in Randwick catch up with former Premier Bob Carr 2/ N urse Cassy enjoys election day in Revesby South 3/ N urses Rosalie and Pauline campaign for safe patient care in Tweed Heads 4/ C ampbelltown Hospital Branch members support ratios in East Hills 5/ T weed Branch joins with other unionists in support of safer staffing and security.

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 41

Dreaming of Fiji?

Recruit a new member and go into the draw to win a 5-night holiday at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Denarau THE 2018 – 2019 NSWNMA MEMBER RECRUITMENT SCHEME PRIZE The winner will experience a luxurious holiday at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, with the following inclusions (for two adults): • 5 nights’ accommodation in a Luxury Oceanside King Room • VIP Meet & Greet welcome at Nadi Airport along with return airport transfers provided by Rosie Holidays • Full buffet breakfast daily • 1 x Salt Sensations Beach Bure Dinner for two inclusive of arrival cocktail • 1 x 60-minute full body massage for 2 guests at SO Spa, including a glass of bubbles at the end of the treatment The NSWNMA will arrange return flights for two to Nadi International Airport Escape to the South Pacific and retreat to a Fiji beach resort, merging luxury hotel facilities with the destinations natural beauty, vibrant culture and an elegant French touch.

Experience a holiday in paradise. Relax and unwind.

Every member you sign up over the year gives you an entry in the draw!

Recruiter’s note: Join online at www.nswnma.asn.au If you refer a member to join online, make sure you ask them to put your name and workplace on the online application form. You will then be entered in to the NSWNMA Member Recruitment scheme draw.

PRIZE DRAWN 30 JUNE 2019

Conditions must be redeemed by 30 June 2020 and is subject to room availability. Block-out dates include all Australian and NZ school holidays and Christmas / New Year period. The prize will be drawn 42 | apply.

THEPrize LAMP MAY 2019 on 30 June 2019. If a redraw is required for an unclaimed prize it must be held up to 3 months from the original draw date. NSW Permit no: LTPM/18/02955

NURSING RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES There have been two cases of professional misconduct and unsatisfactory professional conduct relating to professional boundaries before the Civil and Administrative Complaints Commission in NSW. In both cases the registered nurse was found to have violated professional boundaries and was disqualified from registration for a specified time. Professional boundaries can seem obvious to some, but in fact are frequently transgressed and not always clear.

Code of conduct for nurses and code of conduct for midwives Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has published the new code of conduct for nurses and code of conduct for midwives (the codes). The codes take effect for all nurses and midwives in Australia from 1 March 2018. The codes set out the legal requirements, professional behaviour and conduct expectations for all nurses and midwives in all practice settings. The codes are important for the professions, as they support nurses and midwives to provide safe practice as part of their professional roles. They provide guidance to the public about the standard of conduct and behaviour it should expect from nurses and midwives, and help the NMBA protect the public by setting and maintaining standards for safe practice.

https://www. nursingmidwiferyboard. gov.au/Codes-GuidelinesStatements/Professionalstandards.aspx

A Nurse’s Guide to Professional Boundaries National Council of State Boards of Nursing Year after year, nursing tops national polls of the most widely respected and trusted professions.

The results of these polls reflect the special relationship and bond between nurses and those under their care. Patients can expect a nurse to act in their best interests and to respect their dignity. This means that a nurse abstains from

attaining personal gain at the patient’s expense and refrains from jeopardising the therapeutic nurse–patient relationship. In order to maintain that trust and practice in a manner consistent with professional standards, nurses should be knowledgeable regarding professional boundaries, and work to establish and maintain those boundaries.

A therapeutic relationship is one that allows nurses to apply their professional knowledge, skills, abilities and experiences towards meeting the health needs of the patient. This relationship is dynamic, goal-oriented and patient – and family – centered because it is designed to meet the needs of the patient and family.

Professional boundaries are the spaces between the nurse’s power and the patient’s vulnerability. The power of the nurse comes from the nurse’s professional position and access to sensitive personal information. The difference in personal information the nurse knows about the patient versus personal information the patient knows about the nurse creates an imbalance in the nurse–patient relationship. Nurses should make every effort to respect the power imbalance and ensure a patientcentred relationship.

https://www.ncsbn.org/ ProfessionalBoundaries_ Complete.pdf

Managing Professional Boundaries: Professional vs Personal Relationships Nursing and Midwifery Council The Nursing and Midwifery Council have recently commenced running a program of events about the roles and responsibilities of

nurses and midwives across NSW. Interactive workshops and forums have been exploring patient safety and the shared responsibility of nurses, midwives and regulators as well as the importance of developing organisational cultures of safety and maintaining professional standards.

Boundaries are the borders or limitations that a professional establishes (or can assist other professionals or persons in their care to establish) in order to protect them and their clients from developing unprofessional, unethical, confusing or conflicting relationships. Some of these boundaries may be very clear and others more complex and blurred. They also may change over time and in different contexts of healthcare.

If there are concerns about a boundary being crossed between a personal and a professional relationship with a client, it is important to seek guidance.

Discuss with a manager or educator about how to best to manage the situation and minimise potential issues.

It is important that all professionals and students understand the standards of behaviour and conduct expected of them. Boundary violations can have serious consequences for the professional in relation to their registration, resulting in findings of unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct. A professional and therapeutic relationship is required for all contexts of care.

https://www.nursingand midwiferycouncil.nsw.gov. au/managing-professionalboundaries-professional-vspersonal-relationships

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 43

INSURANCE BENEFITS

For NSWNMA Members

Insurance protection when you need it most The NSWNMA is committed to protecting the interests of nurses and midwives by purchasing a range of insurances to cover members.

Journey Accident Insurance provides cover for members who are injured as a result of an accident while travelling between their home and their regular place of employment.

Professional Indemnity Insurance provides legal representation and protection for members when required.

Make sure your membership remains financial at all times in order to access the insurance and other benefits provided by the NSWNMA.

Unsure if you are financial?

It’s easy!

Ring and check today on 8595 1234 (metro) or 1300 367 962 (rural) Change your payment information online at www.nswnma.asn.au

www.nswnma.asn.au 44 |

IMPORTANT NOTE From 1 December 2018 the insurance benefits have changed as follows: • Journey Accident Insurance: the waiting period for benefits is now 14 days THE LAMP MAY 2019 • Professional Indemnity Insurance: the limit per claim is now $5 million

CROSSWORD

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ACROSS 1. Resuscitating or restorative (9) 5. Milk sugar (7) 8. Permeable by heat rays (13) 11. A mixture of odourless gases found in the atmosphere (3) 12. A seam-like line or ridge between two similar parts of a body organ (5) 13. Straightforward; plain (11) 15. Skillful, expert (5)

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16. A figure with superhuman powers (9) 17. Rolled oats mixed breakfast cereal (7) 18. A muscle connected to the larynx (9) 19. The largest of the carpal bones (8) 21. Resembling a plant (7) 24. An embryonic cell that develops into a pigment cell (11) 26. Help (6) 29. Intrathecal (1.1)

30. Infectious hepatitis (1.1) 32. Internuclear ophthalmoplegia (1.1.1) 33. Softening of the sclera, occurring in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (13) 35.

Multicoloured (13) 36. Loose and not easily controlled (3) DOWN 1. A disorder of the oesophagus that

prevents normal swallowing (9) 2. Unintentional, accidental (11) 3. A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates release of thyrotropin (1.1.1) 4. Any steroid produced by the adrenal cortex (9) 5. Removal of the soluble contents of a substance by running water through it (8) 6. True vertebrates and animals having a notochord (8) 7. Produce (10) 8. A psychotic state induced by drugs of abuse (4.9) 9. Urinalysis (1.1) 10. Softening of the spleen (13) 14. Using language effectively to please or persuade (8) 19. Comprises true vertebrates and animals having a notochord (8) 20. A persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing (6) 22. Dihydrotestosterone (1.1.1) 23. Power nap (6) 25. Chest (6) 27. Restless or nervous (5) 28. Hard, bonelike structures in the mouth (5) 31. A refrigerant and propellant gas in aerosol cans (1.1.1.1) 34. Optical Parametric Oscillator (1.1.1) THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 45

The Edith Cavell Trust is now able to receive non-tax deductable donations/bequests.

The Trust – named in honour of Edith Cavell – assists in the advancement of NSW nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing/midwifery through further studies and research, made available through scholarship. The knowledge and expertise gained by nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing/ midwifery, supported by the Edith Cavell Scholarships, is an asset to the care of their patients and clients. Bequests to the Trust continue to support this important work.

Edith, a British nurse serving in Belgium in WW1, is a hero to most nurses and midwives. She helped some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. Her actions saw her arrested, accused of treason, found guilty by a court-martial and sentenced to death. Despite international pressure for mercy, she was shot by a German firing squad.

NAME ADDRESS

EMAIL

Cavell Edith

TRUST BEQUESTS

PHONE

BEQUEST/ DONATION AMOUNT

$

PREFERRED METHOD OF PAYMENT Electronic Fund Transfer Account name: Edith Cavell Trust Bank: Commonwealth Bank BSB: 062-017 Account no: 10017908 Credit Card I authorise the Edith Cavell Trust (processed via NSWNMA) to debit my credit card for the amount of Mastercard

Visa

$

Name on Card

Card no

Expiry Date

/

A on c ppl l 31 os ica JU e 5 tion LY PM s 20 19

Signature of Cardholder

Scholarships for the academic year 2020 Applications for the Edith Cavell Trust Scholarships are now being accepted for the academic year 2020.

Members or Associate Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association or the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (NSW Branch) are invited to apply.

All grants, awards or loans shall be made to financially assist nurses, midwives, assistants in nursing, assistants in midwifery (including students of those disciplines), and accredited nursing or midwifery organisations, schools and faculties in the furtherance of: (i) accredited nursing or midwifery studies; (ii) such academic research programs as are approved by the Trustees in the theory or practice of nursing or midwifery work; or (iii) clinical nursing education programs at graduate, post-graduate and continuing education professional development level; in accordance with a number of categories.

www.nswnma.asn.au CLICK ON ‘EDUCATION’

Full details of the scholarship categories, how to apply and to obtain the official application form is available from the NSWNMA website. Prior to applying, please ensure you have read the Edith Cavell Trust Scholarship Rules.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SCHOLARSHIP COORDINATOR, THE EDITH CAVELL TRUST 50 O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo NSW 2017 T 1300 367 962 E edithcavell@nswnma.asn.au

46 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

REVIEWS All books can be ordered through the publisher or your local bookshop. Call 8595 1234 or 1300 367 962, or email gensec@nswnma.asn.au for assistance with loans or research. Some books are reviewed using information supplied and have not been independently reviewed.

INTE IAL

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Loretta Bellman, Sue Boase, Sarah Rogers and Barbara Stuchfield (available through Pen & Sword) www.pen-and-sword.co.uk RRP $24.82. ISBN 9781526748461 C

ST RE

Nursing Through The Years

SPE C

book club

All the latest Book Club reviews from The Lamp can be read online at www.nswnma.asn.au/ library-services/book-reviews.

Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing Practice Jennifer Boore, Neal Cook and Andrea Shepherd

Sage Publishing: https://www. sagepub.com RRP $214.00 ISBN 9781473902589

Effective, holistic nursing is impossible without a firm grasp of how the human body functions, but knowledge of the scientific theory on its own is not enough.

Using the person-centred practice framework as a guiding principle, this book brings anatomy and physiology to life, combining the best of print and online learning into one integrated package.

Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals Tony Attwood Jessica Kingsley Publishers: www.footprint.com.au RRP $27.99. ISBN 9781853025778

This fourth edition becomes ever more useful for public

health and health promotion courses around the world.

This book will assist parents and professionals with the identification, treatment and care of both children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome. The book provides a description and analysis of the unusual characteristics of the syndrome and practical strategies to reduce those that are most conspicuous or debilitating.

Emergencies Only: An Australian nurse’s journey through natural disasters, extreme poverty, civil wars and general chaos Amanda McClelland

Sage Publishing Allen & Unwin: https://www.booktopia. com.au/ RRP $25.90.

ISBN 9781760294212

In 2015, Amanda McClelland was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal, in recognition of an extraordinary career dedicated to making a difference. As a nurse and a humanitarian aid

R

A Lpart Nursing has always been a challenging but rewarding profession. As I N T Eof the core healthcare team, nurses take responsibility for the care they provide to patients, displaying both compassion and discipline in their daily work.

Demanding professions require rigorous training, and nursing is no exception. Nursing Through the Years is the real story behind ‘Call the Midwife’: a unique book that spans eight decades to reveal the fascinating lives of nurses who trained and worked at The Royal London Hospital, serving the community of the East End of London.

worker she has battled extreme poverty, disease epidemics and natural disasters, helping to rebuild broken lives and strengthen communities across the globe.

Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing

By Joseph P. DeMarco, Gary E. Jones, and Barbara J. Daly

Broadview Press: https:// www.sagepub.com RRP $ 67.75 ISBN 9781554813964

This book is a comprehensive introduction to the many ethical and legal issues that arise in the practice of nursing. Ethical analysis is supplemented with the rigorous discussion of precedents from the American legal system as well as the requirements of professional codes operating at the national and state levels.

Topics include informed consent, end-of-life treatment, impaired decisional capacity, privacy and confidentiality, and much more.

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 47

We’ve got the look

Stylish and comfortable, NSWNMA favourites are also affordable and sold at cost to members.

3

2

NEW

1

1 Navy Aus Vests $40. Sizes: XS-3XL. Australian made and owned. Poly/cotton zip front and side zip pockets.

2 & 3 NEW: Snowy Puffer Jacket $50. Sizes: Ladies 10-18 and Unisex S-3XL. Light, warm and comfortable to wear.

380T nylon outer, poly fill padding. Two zippered pockets and elasticated cuffs. Top value for cold winter conditions.

ORDER FORM

Name Address

1 Navy Aus Vests $40. Quantity:

Size:

XS

S

M

L

Postcode XL

2XL

3XL

Phone H

2 & 3Snowy Puffer Jacket $50. Quantity:

Size:

10 S

12 M

14 L

16 XL

18 2XL

MOB 3XL

Postage and Handling $5 per item.

Total cost of order $

TO ORDER » WWW.NSWNMA.ASN.AU

FAX (02) 9662 1414 POST NSWNMA, 50 O’Dea Ave. Waterloo NSW 2017 48 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

W

Email Method of Payment Cheque MasterCard

Visa

Name of card holder Card number Expiry date

/

Signature

Money Order

REVIEWS

MEM RO

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John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum In this third installment of the adrenaline-fueled action franchise, super-assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin’s guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, but the world’s most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn.

In Cinemas – 16 May 2019 Twitter: @studiocanalaus Email The Lamp by 16 May to be in the draw to win one of 10 double passes to Parabellum thanks to StudioCanal.

Email your name, membership number, address and telephone number to lamp@nswnma.asn.au for a chance to win!

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If you would like to be a movie reviewer, email lamp@nswnma.asn.au

R BE

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at the movies

GIV E

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Delicious Series 3 Gina (Dawn French) and Sam (Emilia Fox) have found a way of working and living together, but you couldn't call them best friends and Leo's (Iain Glen) adulterous legacy casts a long shadow. Enter dashing celebrity chef Mason Elliot (Vincent Regan) who throws a grenade at the very heart of this complex relationship.

Carefully curated resentments bubble forth, pushing the Beneilli-Vincent alliance to the brink. Not even Teresa and Mimi's unbreakable bond can prevent the implosion. But can their secret woes pull this dysfunctional family back together in the third series of Delicious?

Email The Lamp by the end of May to be in the draw to win one of 10 copies of Delicious thanks to Acorn Media. Email your name, membership number, address and telephone number to lamp@nswnma.asn.au for a chance to win!

THE LAMP MAY 2019 | 49

DIARY DATES

make a date

Diary Dates for conferences, seminars, meetings and reunions is a free service for members. lamp@nswnma.asn.au

EVENTS: NSW The Art and Science of Spiritual Care Friday 5 April 2019 The Shalom Centre, 157 Balaclava Rd, Marsfield www.ncf-australia.org Nurses’ Christian Fellowship Professional Breakfast Saturday 4 May 2019 Neringah Hospital, 4–12 Neringah Ave, Wahroonga www.ncf-australia.org

Please send event details in the format used here: event name, date and location, contact details – by the 5th of each preceding month.

Send your event details to: lamp@nswnma.asn.au Fax 02 9662 1414 Post 50 O’Dea Ave, Waterloo NSW 2017. All listings are edited for the purposes of style and space.

Priority is given to non-profit professional events.

INTERNATIONAL World Vaccine Congress 14–17 April 2019 Washington DC https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/ world-vaccine-congress-washington/ index.stm Council of International Neonatal Nurses Conference Enriched family – enhanced care 5–8 May 2019, Auckland, New Zealand www.coinn2019.com

42nd Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses Conference: Power of Connections – Coming Together 19–22 May 2019, SMC Conference and Function Centre Sydney. http://www.stomaltherapyconference. com/

7th World Congress on Nursing and Healthcare Recent Innovations for Better Healthcare and The Facets of Nursing 17–18 June 2019 London, UK https://www.scientificfederation.com/ wcnh-2019/

2nd Women’s and Newborns Health Conference 3–4 May 2019, Westmead Hospital Marjan.Khajehei@health.nsw.gov.au

International Council of Nurses 2019 Congress 27 June–1 July 2019 Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore http://www.icn.ch/events/ ICN-Congress-Singapore-June-2019/

EVENTS: INTERSTATE Lowitja Institute Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 17–20 June 2019, Darwin, NT http://www.nirakn.edu.au/ event/2019-lowitja-instituteinternational-indigenous-healthand-wellbeing-conference/

International Council of Nurses (ICN) 21st International Conference on Nursing 25–26 September 2019 London, United Kingdom www.icn.ch/ EVENTS: REUNIONS RPAH April ’79 Graduate Nurses Reunion

50 | THE LAMP MAY 2019

Saturday 6 April 2019 graemechead@gmail.com St Vincent’s Hospital Darlinghurst March 1979 PTS Group 40-Year Nursing Reunion Saturday 4 May 2019 6 pm Polo Lounge, Darlinghurst Mary Norman (Anderson) mary_norman@me.com St George Hospital June 1979 PTS Reunion 15 June 2019 Contact Anne O’Callaghan 0422 068 045 50-year Anniversary Sydney Hospital Graduate Nurses 1969–1972 Reunion Lunch September 2019 Kathleen 0420305906 / pkwall33@tpg.com.au Susan C. 0400723020 / denis.p1@bigpond.com CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Welcome to

Improved communication channels and engagement

MEMBER CENTRAL

Seamless access to membership details Functionality at your fingertips

THE NEW ONLINE SYSTEM FOR NSWNMA MEMBERS

Unique NSWNMA member login with email

Create your new member login account & you could win a trip to Bali!

Log on to online.nswnma.asn.au and create your login to be automatically entered in the draw to win a 5 night holiday to

THE TRANS RESORT BALI, SEMINYAK

You and a friend will enjoy: • Five nights’ accommodation in a Premier Room • Return airport transfer • Breakfast daily for two • One x Friday night buffet or set dinner for two • One x Sunday Yum Cha for two • One x 30 minute massage for two • 20% off Food & Beverage.

The NSWNMA will arrange and pay for return flights for two to Denpasar, Bali.

online.nswnma.asn.au

log on and create your login from 1 Feb 2019 – 31 Jan 2020 and you will automatically be entered in the draw to win.

Prize drawn 1 Feb 2020

Full terms and conditions are available at www.nswnma.asn.au/nswnmamembers/contests-and-promotions Conditions apply. Prize must be redeemed by 31 January 2021 and is subject to room availability. Block out dates: 23 – 29 January 2020 , 21 – 31 May 2020, 1 June – 31 July 2020 and 23 December 2020 – 6 January 2021. Competition opens on 1 February 2019 and closes 31 January 2020. The prize will be drawn on 1 February 2020. If a redraw is required for an unclaimed prize it must be held up to 3 months from the original draw date. NSW Permit no: LTPM/18/02955

www.ausmed.com/coupon/lamp

Authorised by B. Holmes, General Secretary, New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association, 50 O’Dea Ave, Waterloo NSW 2017