The Lamp June 2005 by NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association

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magazine of the NSW Nursesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association

Print Post Approved: PP241437/00033

volume 62 no.5 June 2005

THE NEW AND EASY WAY TO FIND THE BEST HEALTHCARE JOB.

A good job is one thing. Finding a job you really love is another thing altogether. For the largest choice of healthcare jobs, simply log on to the Internet and go to seek.com.au to our healthcare section. Then SEEK and you shall find. 2 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

ABOUT THE LAMP

C O N T E N T S

Cover story

14% pay rise and top conditions 12 Cover Clockwise from left: Olive MacKenzie, EN at RPA Hospital; Sharon Boys, CNS at St Vincent's Hospital; and Helen Saitannis, RN at St George Hospital.

News in brief

Knowing your super

8 8 9 9

29 Forget choice, I want security, says Gemma

10 10 10 11

Ramsay takes over Affinity Pay rise for all private nurses Aged care traineeship hits stumbling block Sydney Uni gets cheap with nursing students Union wins $36,000 back pay NSWNA demands DoNs strong on 3rd Tier Nun gets the mental health ‘ring-around’ Nurses turn against the Terminator

Professional development 11 NSWNA education program: What's on this month

Workloads

International Nurses Day 32 Happy International Nurses Day!

Nurses who dare 34 Sharon remembers the tsunami’s forgotten victims 35 Garage sale to save a little girl’s sight 36 Ten hours in a lifetime 39 Saving kids from SIDS

Regular columns 5

16 Appalling pay offer: last straw for mental health nurses 19 Pay rebuff final insult for overworked Dubbo nurses

Agenda

6 31 41 43 44

Editorial by Brett Holmes Your letters to The Lamp Ask Judith Book me Our nursing crossword Diary dates

20 Endangered – Your rights at work 23 Nursing awards under threat 26 More lies on Medicare

Competition!

Professional issues

Special offer

25 Big fine for DADHC after assault

37 52nd Sydney Film Festival offer

34 Win a fabulous iPod mini

Contacts NSW NURSES’ ASSOCIATION For all membership enquiries and assistance, including Lamp subscriptions and change of address, contact our Sydney office. SYDNEY OFFICE 43 Australia Street Camperdown NSW 2050 PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 (all correspondence) T 8595 1234 (metro) 1300 367 962 (non-metro) F 9550 3667 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au W www.nswnurses.asn.au HUNTER OFFICE 120 Tudor Street Hamilton NSW 2303 ILLAWARRA OFFICE L1, 63 Market Street Wollongong NSW 2500 The Lamp COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Noel Hester T 8595 2153 EDITORIAL For all editorial enquiries, letters and diary dates: Glen Ginty T 8595 2191 E gginty@nswnurses.asn.au M PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 PRODUCED BY Lodestar Communications T 9698 4511 PRESS RELEASES Send your press releases to: T 9550 3667 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au THE LAMP EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Brett Holmes, NSWNA General Secretary Judith Kiejda, NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Coral Levett, NSWNA President John Lyons, Coonabarabran District Hospital Jonathan Farry, RPA Hospital Mark Kearin, Wyong Hospital Roz Norman, Tamworth Base Hospital Robyn Wright, Moruya District Hospital Stephen Metcalfe, Lismore Base Hospital Therese Riley, St George Hospital ADVERTISING Patricia Purcell T 8595 2139 or 0416 259 845 F 9550 3667 E ppurcell@nswnurses.asn.au RECORDS AND INFORMATION CENTRE - LIBRARY To find old articles in The Lamp, or to borrow from the NSWNA library’s nursing and health collection, contact: Jeannette Bromfield, RIC Coordinator T 8595 2175 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au General disclaimer The Lamp is the official magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association. Views expressed in articles are contributors’ own and not necessarily those of the NSW Nurses’ Association. 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 NSW Nurses’ Association takes no responsibility for the advertising appearing herein and it does not necessarily endorse any products advertised. Privacy Privacy statement: The NSWNA 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 NSWNA office. If you are still not satisfied that your privacy is being maintained you can contact the Privacy Commission. Subscriptions Free to all Association members. Ex-members can subscribe to the magazine at a reduced rate of $44. Individuals $60, Institutions $90, Overseas $100.

THE LAMP JUNE 2005 3

Direct debit works for Arnia and keeps our union strong. Arnia Haurua chose to pay her NSWNA fees by direct debit because it benefits both her and the union. Direct debit means your NSWNA membership fees are deducted direct from your bank account or credit card each month. ‘It’s convenient for me but it also protects our union from future attacks by the federal government. If the government stops payroll deductions for union fees after 1 July, this will seriously weaken the Association,’ said Arnia.

Switch to direct debit and win! YOU COULD WIN A FABULOUS FOUR NIGHT LUXURY STAY FOR TWO ON BEAUTIFUL KANGAROO ISLAND, SIMPLY BY PAYING YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY DIRECT DEBIT, OR CONVERTING A COLLEAGUE TO DIRECT DEBIT. The prize includes: Four nights’ accommodation at the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Resort, return flights Sydney/Adelaide, return transfers from Adelaide Airport, ferry travel and transfers to Adelaide with Kangaroo Island Sealink, Hertz car hire, Sealink day tour, dinner for two with a bottle of Kangaroo Island wine included. 4 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

For direct debit or direct credit forms, to enter the competition or for more information call the NSWNA on 8595 1234 or 1300 367 962 or go to www.nswnurses.asn.au

E D I T O R I A L BY BRETT HOLMES GENERAL SECRETARY

Campaign delivers groundbreaking award g NSW nurses have many reasons for satisfaction with a pay campaign that has culminated with the decision of the independent umpire, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, to award us a 14% pay increase over the next four years.

‘These are substantial achievements particularly in the political context where the federal government has clearly flagged its intentions to attack workers’award conditions and rights.’

hile on the face of it, NSW nurses have received slightly less in pay over four years than other health and public sector unions, the overall package we have won is a far superior outcome on closer examination. Both the PSA and the HSU members received a 1% per annum increase as part of their pay rises in return for forfeiting the right to pursue work value cases. We, on the other hand, received a 9.5% pay rise for work value plus Reasonable Workloads Clause and a Continuing Education Allowance in our highly successful case completed in 2004. But a raw increase in pay only tells a fraction of what we have won in this agreement. Just as importantly, we have won some excellent improvements in our award conditions offer. A significant gain is the increase in paid maternity leave from 9 to 14 weeks and the introduction of paid paternity leave. This meets the ACTU recommended period and is now a pacesetter in Australia. NSW public sector employees will be the largest group of employees in this country who are eligible for this quantity of paid maternity leave. It will be a great recruitment and retention tool that will encourage nurses having families to return to the workforce and will help to ease the costs associated with having a new baby. Another strong result is the deserved recognition, through extra pay, for ENs who take on the extra education and responsibility for administering medication. For the first time we will have an award clause containing study leave and another that will give legal protection and rights for trade union delegates. For some classifications – CNE, NE, CNS and undergraduates working

as AiNs- there is still the opportunity to pursue improved pay during 2006. The government has committed to fund 10-hour night shifts for 60 more facilities over a six-year period. Midwives have won their deeply held request to be recognised along side nurses in the award. These are substantial achievements particularly in the political context where the federal government has clearly flagged its intentions to attack workers’ award conditions and rights. The pay rise and the improved conditions members are now voting on will do much to innoculate us against the imminent attack we anticipate from Canberra. In this campaign we have put pressure on the government at a community and political level. This, along with the ultimate threat of mobilising our industrial strength, delivered us a very good outcome. Without any doubt the concerted action by members in the lead-up to 11 May, and the threat of statewide industrial action on that day, was responsible for forcing a recalcitrant government to move towards a real solution: accepting that it would fund whatever increase the Commission recommended. NSW public health system nurses have just won significant and well-deserved improvements to their pay and conditions. But we need to understand that these will need to be defended into the future. They also get the benchmark for nurses covered by other awards such as private hospitals, aged care, disability, and other nurses in NSW. The federal government is promising to make it harder for working Australians at a time when many are barely keeping their heads above water. John Howard has consistently shown he is susceptible to public pressure. We need to, and we will, work with our colleagues in NSW and nationally to apply that pressure and defend these hard-won rights. It is a time for the whole union movement to stick together. n THE LAMP JUNE 2005 5

L E T T E R S

LETTER of the month Angela Pridham

Can you hear us, Mr Carr? Dear Mr Carr, The Nurses of NSW would like to tell you how the health system works. First we look at the problem. Then we listen to what the signs and symptoms are. Next we establish the cause. Finally we make a diagnosis and implement treatment, which in most cases averts death and restores health. If this process is not applied the result can be a long, inconvenient, uncomfortable illness which, worst case scenario, ends up being terminal. Therefore the nurses of NSW would like to tell you what the problem with our health service is and how to fix it: Problem: Overloaded Health Service heading for breakdown. Signs & Symptoms: Long waiting lists, unreasonable workloads, bed closures. Cause: Failure to retain and recruit enough nurses causing a deficit of numbers within the system. Diagnosis: Chronic congestive health system failure with access block, and multi-system shutdown. Recommended treatment: Discontinue treating nurses like second-rate health workers and match their rates of pay with other health workers. Short-term prognosis: • Retention of existing nurses in the system • Better incentive for recruitment to nursing profession. Long-term prognosis: • Ability to open more beds • Reduce waiting lists • Reasonable workloads for nurses. Of course the alternative treatment if the disease is not stopped is deterioration in the condition of the health system, leading to multi-system failure resulting in palliative care with little hope for remission. We have to ask why you think our request for equal pay is so unreasonable and remind you: Public health – there’s no fix without nurses. Angela Pridham, Registered Nurse/Midwife Angela Pridham won the prize for this month’s letter of the month, a $50 Myer voucher. 6 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

Nurses beyond all praise My husband took this photo on a recent trip to Canberra. It had long been my goal to visit the War Nurses Memorial. I found being in physical proximity to the memorial transforming and empowering. The words on the memorial – BEYOND ALL PRAISE – encapsulates everything I esteem in all nurses and midwives. We continue to be so

Mairhi Bird

invisible, although our work is the connective tissue of health care. I suggest that with both International Midwives Day and International Nurses Day soon to be celebrated, we all take strength and courage from these amazing words. Nurses and midwives of the world – you truly beyond all praise. Liz McCall Byron District Hospital

Lyn Holden

Thanks for helping my dad

Union there when I needed it

As a fellow nurse I know that health professionals don’t often receive the thanks that they deserve, so I would like to thank the following people who helped look after my dad, James Campbell. To Dr Mark Dexter, whom my father had the highest respect for, thank you for helping my dad through a very traumatic time. To the staff at Nepean Oncology Unit, who Dad felt so comfortable with, you made him feel more positive about life. To the staff at Westmead B5b who were so supportive when Dad passed away, and finally, to my fellow workers at Blacktown ED, thank you for all your help and support. It was greatly appreciated.

I would like to inform the Nurses’ Association of my extreme satisfaction as a result of my recent involvement with you as an organisation. From my first contact by

Mairhi Bird, Blacktown ED

LETTER of the month The letter judged the best each month will be awarded a $50 Myer voucher, courtesy Medicraft, Australia’s largest manufacturer of hospital beds and furtniture. For more information on Medicraft products, visit www.medicraft.com.au or call 9569 0255.

phone to the representation provided, I was more than pleased with the response. I never expected to find myself being called as a witness in a coronial inquest* and was quite alarmed at this situation. Bev Milbourn and Noleen Rudland could not have been more helpful and supportive. It has given me more faith than ever that union support is essential and membership in such a union is crucial in nursing today. I have been a long-time member (1973) and have only had limited call to be in any kind of contact with this Association. I have been more than satisfied with this contact. Lyn Holden, Newcastle Hospital * Inquest into death of Bryce Keenan at Newcastle court in April 2005. Every letter published receives a copy of the Australian Nurse Diary 2005. The diary includes weekly shift planners, reference materials, foreign language translations, and is available from hospital newsagents.

Got something to say?

Send your letters to: Glen Ginty email gginty@nswnurses.asn.au fax 9550 3667 mail PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450

Please include a photograph along with your name, address, phone and membership number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.

Geoff Annals, Chief Executive New Zealand Nurses Organisation.

International solidarity The New Zealand Nurses Organisation stands with you in your strike for a fair deal. Nurses will not put up with being treated as second-class workers. The public of Australia and New Zealand understand the real value of nurses. The public understand, that when nurses are not paid what they are worth this is not only unfair but it also impacts upon Australians’ access to goodquality, effective public health care. The Government needs to wake up, get real and make a genuine response to the New South Wales Nurses’ Association’s pay claim. New Zealand nurses, midwives and other health workers experienced the destructive effects of neo-liberal policies introduced here in the ’80s and ’90s on the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of public services. All the damage wrought in the public health system by those policies has not yet been repaired. In fact much of the damage is irreparable. It would be a tragic and stupid folly for Australia to go down that same destructive path and yet that seems to be just what the Australian Federal Government is hell bent on doing. Stand firm! The nurses, midwives and other health care workers of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation stand with you! Geoff Annals, Chief Executive New Zealand Nurses Organisation.

Cheryl L. Johnson President of United American Nurses, AFL-CIO To our sister and brother nurses in New South Wales, Australia: On behalf of the 104,000 registered nurses of the United American Nurses, AFLCIO, I am writing to express our support for your fight for safe patient care and dignity and respect on the job. No nurse should be forced to work under unsafe working conditions that jeopardize patients, an RN’s license and family. Study after study has shown that unsafe staffing and a shortage of nurses

are putting patients’ lives at risk every day. Hospitals are all too willing to try to solve the problem by taking nurses from other countries that need them, or forcing nurses currently working to do more with less, instead of improving working conditions and salaries to attract more nurses to the job. You are on the front-line of a battle all nurses worldwide face to make hospitals safe again for patients and nurses. UAN nurses are with you in your struggle, and UAN will work with your union to lend our support and good wishes however we can. We know you will be victorious. Cheryl L. Johnson, RN President of United American Nurses, AFL-CIO

Father outraged by Minchin’s undervaluing nurses I am appalled to read in The Lamp that Senator Nick Minchin has had the temerity to publicly state that ‘nurses are overpaid’ Though not a nurse, I married one and am the father of one – my daughter has devoted her life (now in her mid 40s) to her profession. She has undergone years of training, studied in her own time for a degree, and is a highly skilled nursing professional. When one examines the comparative workload and pay/entitlements of a CNS working in surgical ward with that of the redoubtable Senator, his statement must surely have been made with his tongue in his cheek – or maybe as a means of keeping the budget down – so that politicians can take more of the pie. No nurse, however highly qualified, has a salary anywhere near that of the Senator. Nurses need to work at least five days per week (the Senator might like to let the rest of us know how many days a year he sits in the House – and how many days holiday per annum he receives!). As for the relative superannuation schemes – just compare! Hospitals are open every day, generally 365 days a year, which entails coverage of the 24-hour period. Politicians complain bitterly if they have to sit outside their normal sitting times. Of course, it does not finish there – rarely does a day pass by without my daughter getting home late. The stress caused by overwork and staff shortages is tremendous, and the politicians still cannot see that some incentives are required to retain nursing staff. Name withheld

Sue Milne

Claire’s face says it all I need to comment on the most beautiful and poignant photograph of Claire Milne (no relation to the undersigned) on the cover of The Lamp, volume 62 no. 3 April 2005. It just says it all. What a shame only readers of The Lamp will see it. Surely everyone of us will relate to the emotion and fatigue in Claire’s face pertaining to today’s nursing environment. I’d like to see Claire’s photo blown up and plastered on a thousand billboards, on the sides of buses, etc. with a caption ‘Will she have keeled over with exhaustion by the time you need her?’ Sue Milne, Sydney Adventist Hospital in Wahroonga

POSITIONS VACANT The NSWNA has the following positions vacant: •

Workers Compensation/ Claims Officer

•

Organiser (Secondment)

For job descriptions and further information, please visit the NSW Nurses’ Association website at www.nswnurses.asn.au and follow the link to Employment. Alternatively, you can contact Robyn Anson, Employee Relations Officer, on 02 8595 2138 (metro) or 1300 367 962 (country callers).

p Have your details changed? We need have the correct contact details for all NSWNA members so we can communicate important information on campaigns quickly and effectively. Please check your details are up-to-date and notify us of any changes by calling 1300 367 962 (country members) or 8595 1234 (city members). THE LAMP JUNE 2005 7

N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

RAMSAY TAKES OVER AFFINITY g Purchase highlights industry profitability. amsay Health Care has paid $1.43 billion to buy Affinity Health, in a transaction that underlines the strong profitability of the private hospital sector. Ramsay is now Australia’s biggest private hospital owner with 27% of the market. Affinity operates 48 hospitals in Australia and three in Indonesia, though Ramsay will be prevented by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission from acquiring all of these facilities.

Pay rise for all private nurses g Members vote to accept new award. he Nurses' Association has wrapped up its successful pay campaign for private hospital members with employers agreeing to a new award giving a 3.5% increase on wages and allowances. The deal includes six months’ no extra claims clause. All nursing categories in the private sector briefly caught up with their public sector colleagues. AiNs in the private sector are still ahead of public AiNs by 0.5%. Private hospital members of the

NSWNA voted to accept the offer in a ballot announced on 12 May, which was overwhelmingly carried by 99%. Most private hospital nurses were already receiving the 3.5% increase as a result of negotiations between the NSWNA and individual employers. The new award will ‘rope in’ a handful of small hospitals which still had not agreed to a 3.5% wage increase. It will also cover those hospitals which agreed to a wage increase but not a 3.5% increase in allowances. n

The new-look Ramsay will have 74 hospitals with 8,117 beds, after selling off 14 Ramsay/Affinity sites to satisfy the ACCC. The new-look Ramsay will have 74 hospitals with 8,117 beds, after selling off 14 Ramsay/Affinity sites to satisfy the ACCC. The Affinity hospitals will come under their third different owner in 18 months after the Ramsay purchase. They were owned by Mayne Group until late 2003, when a private consortium bought them for $813 million. These investment companies will have made a $600 million profit in less than 18 months, and are buying back the 14 hospitals being offloaded. Ramsay was already a leading player in the private hospital sector, boasting profit margins of 10% – the highest in the industry. In other news, hospital operator Nova has gone out of business, selling Westside Private Hospital at Concord to a private owner and Brisbane Waters Hospital on the Central Coast to Healthscope. 8 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

Nurses march strong on May Day

Guidelines for 12-hour shift agreements

Nurses and their families joined May Day marches across NSW on 1 May. Workers of all occupations marched in united opposition to the Federal Government’s plans for workplace ‘reform’. Celebration of May Day as a workers’ holiday dates back to 1886, when police in Chicago attacked a parade of striking workers seeking an eight-hour working day, killing six marchers. Australia’s first May Day march was held by striking Queensland shearers in Barcaldine in 1891. n

The Association has developed guidelines setting out the minimum conditions for 12-hour shifts in public hospitals. The guidelines are available on the NSWNA website at http://www.nswnurses.asn.au/ members_only/pdf/Guidelines_for_ 12_hour_shifts.pdf

AGED CARE TRAINEESHIP HITS STUMBLING BLOCK

ged care workers are being prevented from taking up a new traineeship which would qualify them as enrolled nurses (EN) in aged care. Aged care workers with an AQF Certificate III or above are ineligible for Federal Government funding for EN traineeships under current criteria. The Nurses’ Association is pressing the government to change the funding criteria which are blocking access to the new traineeship known as the Traineeship for Enrolled Nurses in Aged Care (Certificate IV in Nursing). NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes wrote to the Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, pointing out that most aged care workers have an AQF Certificate III or above and are therefore ineligible for funding.

‘The traineeship is an excellent strategy to develop a nursing career pathway in aged care.’ ‘The skilled aged care workforce that this traineeship has the potential to develop, would have the required nursing competencies to meet the complex care needs of older Australians,’ Brett told the Minister. Minister Bishop has agreed to examine the funding barriers. The Association will inform members if the barriers are removed. ‘Aged care providers, particularly those in rural and regional areas are having real difficulties recruiting and retaining the nursing workforce,’ Brett told The Lamp. Brett said the Nurses’ Association had put in a lot of work over the past two years to develop the traineeship, along with TAFE and other stakeholders. ‘The traineeship is an excellent strategy to ensure that the aged care sector attracts and retains committed workers and develops a nursing career pathway,’ he said.

Sydney Uni gets cheap with nursing students ursing students at the University of Sydney say education standards are deteriorating following the Michael Janda, SRC's university’s decision education officer to abolish its undergraduate nursing program. The university abolished the program last year but allowed already enrolled nursing students to stay on to complete their degrees. The university appears to have abandoned its commitment to quality education for remaining students, if complaints received by the Student Representative Council are any guide. Writing in the student newspaper Honi Soit, the SRC’s education officer, Michael Janda, said nursing students were experiencing substandard teaching practices because the university was winding down the nursing program and no longer valued its reputation in the field. Michael said complaints received by the SRC include:

Third-year tutorials, normally held with 10 to 15 students, were conducted with 65 students, many of them having to sit on the floor. The tutorials were later moved to a lecture theatre where students got a seat, but no opportunity for questions or group discussion, just lecturing. Students were being pushed into ‘self-directed learning’ for key subject areas. ‘“Self directed learning” is university code for “go home and read it in the text book, we are not teaching it in class”,’ Michael wrote. Due to staff departures, most tutors and lecturers can only provide an hour’s consultation per week, which is seriously inadequate in the context of the lack of tutorials and ‘self-directed learning’. The faculty has introduced ‘block days’ when students have all-day classes (8 am to 6 pm) either two or three weeks apart. This means students have irregular contact with teachers and great discontinuity in subject matter. ‘There is no excuse for the substandard education these students are paying for, particularly in an area such as nursing, where you want graduates of the highest skill,’ wrote Michael. n THE LAMP JUNE 2005 9

N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

UNION WINS

$36,000

Nun gets the BACK PAY mental health ‘ring-around’

NSWNA DEMANDS DONS STRONG ON 3RD TIER s negotiations continue with NSW Health on the details of the 3rd Tier restructure, the NSWNA has been vigilantly monitoring the selection process to ensure the DoN positions at this level are not downgraded. According to NSWNA Industrial Manager, Anna Claude, the NSWNA has sought commitment from the Department that facility-based DoN positions will be retained under the cluster model currently proposed. ‘The NSWNA has also negotiated with the Department to achieve an improved Managing Displaced Employees Policy,’ said Anna. ‘A draft will be sent to branches shortly for feedback from members.’

10 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

Photo taken by Southern Courier

ight Sydney nurses have shared a $36,000 payout after the union took their nursing home employer to court. One of the nurses received $17,000 in back pay. The nurses were permanent part-time employees being paid agency nurse rates by the nursing home when they worked overtime, instead of the award overtime rates they were entitled to. The incorrect payments were uncovered during a routine visit to the nursing home by a union organiser. The union took their case for back payment of the correct overtime rate to the Chief Industrial Magistrate but the company decided to settle out of court. The terms of the settlement prevent The Lamp from naming the members and the nursing home.

g Nun transports psychotic patient in desperate race to secure mental health bed.

atholic nun and member of NSWNA, Sister Pauline Richards, experienced first-hand the problems of the mental health system when she was forced to drive the scheduled patient – another Catholic nun who was suffering dementia and severe psychosis – to the Prince of Wales Hospital to secure a mental health bed that had become available. A resident of the St Joseph’s Aged Care Facility for the Religious, the 78-year-old nun’s health had seriously deteriorated after she started refusing all food and drink. She was also aggressive and prone to violence, putting at risk the safety of the nurses and residents of the facility. Sister Pauline explained that the facility was no longer able to manage

her mental illness and she urgently required treatment as she had become dehydrated and malnourished. ‘We were getting desperate but there were no mental health beds available. Finally, the psycho-geriatrician treating her managed to organise the early discharge of another patient to free up a bed.’ As the nun was an involuntary patient, the NSW Ambulance required a police escort to POW Hospital. Sister Pauline said: ‘I tried to organise transport by Ambulance to the hospital. The Ambulance service informed me they required a police escort, which I needed to organise. But when I rang the police, they told me they were already tied up transporting another scheduled patient. ‘We had no choice but to transport her ourselves or we would lose the bed. It was a difficult journey, the patient was very disturbed. It was most undignified for her. ‘To add insult to injury, Ambulance officers turned up later to see how we were going, organising a police escort,’ said Sister Pauline. n

WHAT’S prON nsswwna education ogram

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verywhere Arnold Schwarzenegger goes these days, he’s dogged by the irate California nurses union. Nurses turn up to protest at every corporate fundraiser held for the actorturned-governor of the biggest state in the USA. The California Nurses Association (CNA) says Schwarzenegger is doing the bidding of powerful corporate donors to his campaign fund, including private hospital chains, insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. According to the CNA, corporate interests have donated tens of millions of dollars to Schwarzenegger’s campaign fund. In return he has sought to overthrow the State’s nurse-to-patient safe staffing ratios, and tried to abolish the Board of Registered Nursing. The nurses’ rebellion against the governor started six months ago when Schwarzenegger issued a stop on a 1999 law that established a one-to-five nurseto-patient ratio in California. The law was scheduled to go into effect in January 2005, but the governor issued an emergency order to block it and subsequently took the matter to court. The nurses won the first round in March, when the state Superior Court upheld the legislation. Schwarzenegger is appealing the decision.

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‘We take extreme credit for his poll numbers dropping like a rock.’ 040805

The union can take some of the responsibility for the governor’s recent job approval rating sinking to 43%. It didn’t help when he called nurses ‘a special interest group’ and boasted that he ‘kicked their butts’. ‘We take extreme credit for his poll numbers dropping like a rock,’ CNA’s executive director Rose Ann DeMoro said. In January the governor tried to dissolve the Board of Registered Nursing, which CNA officials believe was an act of retaliation. The board is the equivalent of the NSW Nurses Registration Board. Schwarzenegger proposed saving money by handing the board’s job to the Department of Consumer Affairs, under the group that investigates complaints against the vehicle industry! Schwarzenegger did not even know that the members of the Board of Registered Nursing receive no monetary compensation. He was forced to back off from that idea following a public outcry. n

THIS MONTH s Managing aggression in the workplace 7 June, Orange – 1 day Skills and strategies to manage unacceptable workplace behaviour. Members $85.00 Non-members $226.00 Branch officials $74.00

s Basic foot care for RNs and ENs (VETAB accredited course) 14-15 June, Westmead – 2 days Equips nurses with the competence to provide basic foot care. Members $203.00 Non-members $350.00 Branch officials $175.00

s Professional education day 22 June, Queanbeyan – 1 day Root cause analysis, disciplinary proceedings, procedural fairness and performance management. Free

s Legal and professional issues for nurses 30 June, Coffs Harbour – 1/2 day Potential liability, documentation, writing statements. Participants will gain increased understanding of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1991 and the role of disciplinary tribunals including Nurses and Midwives Board. Members $39.50 Non-members $85.00 Branch officials $28.00 For registration and more information: go to www.nswnurses. asn.au or ring Carolyn Kulling on 1300 367 962

p Correction The May issue of The Lamp featured the Statement of Financial Position of the NSWNA. The right hand column in part 2 of the table should have read 2003 not 2005. The Auditor’s certificate should have been dated 5 April 2005 not 2004. THE LAMP JUNE 2005 11

NO C E W V ES R I SNT O BR Y I E F

Spirited campaign delivers 14% pay rise and top conditions g On top of a very good pay rise, we have also won excellent conditions and entitlements that will enhance the ability of nurses to balance family and work commitments, provide recognition of nurses’ skills and education and increase protection against unfair treatment at work.

urses have won a 14% pay rise in the face of total opposition from the Carr State government to any increase of more than 12%. The Industrial Relations Commission has increased the pay nurses will receive between now and 2008 in a binding decision issued on 20 May. The Commission has fast tracked the first pay rise so it is immediately back paid to January 2005, with the next increase to take place this July as opposed to January next year. The pay increases will be: c 3% from 1 January 2005 (back pay to be paid) c a further 3% from 1 July 2005 c a further 4% from 1 July 2006 c a further 4% from 1 July 2007. NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes says the pay result, combined with the raft of excellent conditions won in the new agreement, is a very good outcome for nurses after a hardfought campaign. ‘This is a substantial increase on the government’s original offer. This wage rise means that between 2000 and 2007 nurses will have received a 39.5% increase in base pay.’ ‘Some of the improvements in conditions include a $15 per-week base pay increase for ENs with medication endorsement, pay reviews for CNSs, CNEs and NEs to be done in 2005-06 and funding of 10-hour night shifts in 60 more hospitals, starting in 2006. There is also a significant increase in paid maternity leave from 9 to 14 weeks and one week’s paid paternity leave, and the new award will guarantee 12 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

Commitment to fund 10-hour night shifts for 60 more facilities The government has committed to fund 10-hour night shifts at 60 more facilities from 2006. This condition will help nurses to better plan their lives around shift work.

‘This wage rise means that between 2000 and 2007 nurses will have received a 39.5% increase in base pay.’ study leave and union delegates’ recognition and training. ‘This result is very significant when seen in a wider political context where the federal government is preparing to attack workers’ award conditions and rights.’ Brett said the main claim not achieved in this campaign is an increase to night duty penalty payments, which the Government and NSW Health refused to negotiate on. ‘The NSWNA will campaign to achieve a negotiated improvement or running a test case in the Commission at the end of this wages agreement 2008. ‘NSW nurses have done well to improve the standing of the nursing profession with better pay and more family friendly conditions. We now have defend these gains from being clawed back by the Howard government.’n

Midwives recognised in award Midwives will be now specifically recognised in the award.

WHAT WE’VE

WON IN PAY

More union rights, more protection For the first time, we have an award clause that protects union delegates and guarantees their right to spend time on union business and education during work time.

c 3% from 1 January 2005 c Further 3% from 1 July 2005 c Further 4% from 1 July 2006 c Further 4% from 1 July 2007 This year’s 3% pay rise is to be back paid to 1 January, giving an RN year 8 over $800 in lump sum back pay for the first increase.

Recognition for ENs

Review of pay rates There will be a review of the CNE, NE, CNS and AIN undergraduate student classifications. The reviews will enable the NSWNA to pursue higher pay for these classifications.

ENs who undertake additional education and responsibility for administering medication receive recognition through extra pay.

Groundbreaking maternity leave Paid maternity and adoption leave will increase from 9 to 14 weeks and one week’s paternity leave will be introduced.

THE LAMP JUNE 2005 13

NO C E W V ES R I SNT O BR Y I E F

HAVING YOUR

SAY ON THE CONDITIONS c Branches now need to meet to vote c The vote is to accept the offer on improved conditions

Members agree, conditions are tops

c The pay increase has already been determined in a binding decision by Industrial Commission. There is no vote on this

‘I’M VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS ’ c Robyn Jillings will also enjoy the extra $15 per week as an endorsed EN at St Vincent’s Hospital. ‘The training was quite demanding on my time. The proposed extra $15 per week goes some way to recognising my extra skills. I’m very happy with the results we achieved. It was a good pay rise and the expansion of 10-hour night shifts to extra facilities is also a good idea. You work longer but it means one less shift per week.’

For more information visit the Association website at www. nswnurses.asn.au

Your vote is important Branch secretaries will receive by email and post an information and voting instructions kit. It will be also posted on the NSWNA website. All NSWNA branches need to hold a meeting by close of business Thursday, 9 June, to endorse the conditions and entitlements we have fought so hard for during the campaign. To gain these conditions and benefits, members need to vote ‘yes’ to the award – even if there are individual conditions not relevant to you. It’s the whole package that members will be voting for – ‘no’ to one condition means no to all.

14 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

EXTRA PAY RECOGNISES OLIVE’S HARD WORK c Olive MacKenzie, EN at RPA Hospital, says she worked hard to gain the skills and qualifications required to administer medication. ‘ENs deserve to be paid extra for this effort. Being recognised through extra pay will encourage other ENs to do the training so they can be endorsed.’

CONDITIONS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS PAY RISE c As a CNS at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sharon Boys hopes the proposed review of her classification next year will deliver an additional pay rise on top of the 14%. Sharon says nurses feel more respected and valued with the decent pay rise and proposed improved conditions. ‘The conditions are just as important as the pay.’

HELEN AND JULIA GET MORE TIME WITH THEIR BABIES c With her baby due in early August, the proposed additional paid maternity leave comes as a big relief to Helen Saitannis (right), RN at St George Hospital. ‘I feel more peace of mind. I will be able to take extra time off to spend with my baby without worrying about how we are going to pay the mortgage. It’s very important to be able to spend time with my baby.’

c With one week to go before she commences maternity leave, the increase in paid leave is ‘fantastic news’ to Julia Martin, RN at St Vincent’s Hospital. ‘It’s a huge financial burden when you have to stop work. This will make a big difference to my family. I’m planning to take double leave at half pay so I can spend extra time with my baby. This means I will have an extra 10 weeks to feed and nurture my baby.’

THE PEOPLE OF NSW ARE BEHIND NURSES As part of the ‘No Fix Without Nurses’ campaign, the NSWNA asked members of the public to show their support of a decent pay rise for nurses by sending a campaign postcard to the NSW government. 17,000 people showed their support for nurses by sending in a postcard, and a truckload were delivered to Premier Bob Carr’s office, turning up the heat on the government to do the right thing by our nurses. Phillip Sheard (right), CNE and secretary of the Sydney Hospital/Sydney Eye Hospital branch, and Lesley Hackett, NUM, delivered 17,000 postcards from the public to the Premier on behalf of the NSWNA.

The NSWNA wishes to thank the people of NSW for supporting nurses during their campaign for a fair pay rise. THE LAMP JUNE 2005 15

W O R K L O A D S

Appalling pay offer last straw for mental health nurses RICHMOND CLINIC

Workloads crisis sparks emergency action g A crisis situation at Richmond Clinic in Lismore sparked emergency industrial action

embers at Richmond Clinic imposed work bans to end gruelling workloads for mental health nurses. Maureen Bunt, Nurses at the 25secretary of NSWNA bed mental health unit Richmond Clinic Branch say the government has relied on the good-will of nurses to cover up a staffing shortfall and a shortage of mental health beds. According to secretary of the NSWNA Richmond Clinic Branch, Maureen Bunt (Bunty), mental health nurses at the Clinic have been forced to work for years in an unsafe environment because of excessive workload pressure. ‘I’ve been here 10 years and in that time we have always accepted more patients than the designated 25 beds of the Clinic. It’s common to have 30 patients on the ward. We have them on mattresses on the floor. It’s totally inappropriate and unsafe for the nurses and the patients,’ she said. Nurses reached a crisis situation in April during a particularly busy weekend when they were forced to discharge 16 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

patients early to make way for other patients coming in. ‘Because we did not have enough nurses to keep up with the patient load, we had security guards covering critically ill patients. It was totally inappropriate. It was just too much!’ said Bunty. This sparked an emergency meeting of the NSWNA Richmond Clinic Branch, where members decided to implement work bans including refusal to accept admissions after hours. ‘We refused to accept patients between 4.30 pm and 8.30 am because we did not have the staffing to ensure nurse and patient safety,’ said Bunty. This resulted in management agreeing to cap the number of patients admitted to the clinic to 25. Excess patients will now be directed to the ED of Lismore Base Hospital, and out-of-area patients back to their local AHS. Nurses will now be offered overtime to address staffing shortfalls.

‘Because we did not have enough nurses to keep up with the patient load, we had security guards covering critically ill patients.’ The Branch also demanded an immediate review of the Mental Health Hotline, which has resulted in inappropriate referrals to Richmond Clinic. ‘When we heard about the government’s appalling pay offer, it was a real slap in the face. The government refused to pay us a 4% pay rise, as received by similar health professionals,’ said Bunty.

MACQUARIE HOSPITAL

‘We need more mental health beds’ g Members at Macquarie Hospital are set to impose bans to address a shortage of mental health beds

embers at Macquarie Hospital in North Ryde have given management until early June to Eon Robinson, RN address a shortage of and secretary of the mental health beds Macquarie Hospital resulting in excessive branch nurse workloads and an unsafe environment for staff and patients. According to Eon Robinson, RN and secretary of the Macquarie Hospital branch, nurses are fed up with the habitual overadmission of patients by management. ‘We have 14 acute care beds. Once full, acute patients are being diverted to the rehabilitation and respite wards. We’ve even been forced to put patients in the observation room. It’s an inappropriate and unsafe situation for staff and patients,’ he said. The NSWNA Macquarie Hospital branch agreed to give management one month to propose measures to cease the over-admission of patients to the 195-bed hospital, otherwise they will impose bans on the admission of patients over bed numbers. ‘So far, management has put on the table various contingency plans that are not acceptable to members,’ said Eon.

g Overworked mental health nurses have battled for years to hold together a system in crisis – then the government has told them they were not worth a 4% pay rise. So the cover up on chronic nurse workloads must end …

‘These include the provision of extra staff when there are more patients than we are staffed for, the creation of a special discharge clinic that will enable patients to be moved from the acute care ward and regular status meetings with nursing staff. An area bed manager position has also been introduced, whose role is to juggle acute care mental health beds in the AHS. ‘But juggling mental health beds will not solve the problem – it’s a bit like juggling deckchairs on the Titanic. What we desperately need is more mental health beds,’ said Eon. ‘Nurses are willing to put up with a lot but the government’s reluctance to pay us fairly has just fuelled our anger.’

MAITLAND HOSPITAL

Maitland Nurses refuse more patients g Worn out mental health nurses at Maitland Hospital fight for adequate staffing and skill mix

ental health nurses at Maitland Hospital have also battled to care for more patients than beds in the mental Lindsay Patterson, health unit. NSWNA Maitland According to Hospital's Secretary RN and secretary of the NSWNA Maitland Hospital branch, Lindsay Paterson, there was inadequate staffing and the skill mix was insufficient to cope with the patient load. ‘The problem was that management did a count of patients at midnight. This did not include patients who were on leave for the night or weekend, so beds appeared vacant. The patients would return from leave the next moarning or on the Monday following weekend leave to find their bed had been filled. On the morning shift extra patients were, often in the ward waiting for assessment,’ he said. ‘Sometimes we have had up to 30 patients in the ward. We frequently have more than the 24 beds we are staffed for. ‘It was an unsafe situation and this was highlighted in April when a patient barricaded himself in the observation

unit. We had to call the police to resolve the situation.’ This was resolved to the satisfaction of all, but by this time nurses had had enough. Members say the issue came to a head because of the government’s refusal to give nurses the same pay rise as other health professionals. Worn out members called a branch meeting where they decided on work bans including a refusal to accept more acutely ill patients once the 24 beds in the unit are full. Management has committed to provide additional staffing if more than 24 patients are admitted to the ward after consultation.

‘Sometimes we have had up to 30 patients in the ward. We nearly always had more than the 24 beds we were staffed for.’ Through their Reasonable Workloads Committee, members are also pushing to have a NUM role on the afternoon shift freed from a patient case load and directed to nurse management as well as a discharge planner. n

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W O R K L O A D S

Picture ctaken by Daily Liberal and Macquarie Advocate

NSWNA Dubbo branch members with delegate Rosemary Schwarz (far right)

Pay rebuff final insult for overworked Dubbo nurses g Work bans at Dubbo Base Hospital have achieved a commitment from management to address gruelling nurse workloads.

oodwill drove theatre nurses at Dubbo Hospital to take on gruelling overtime to cover chronic understaffing in the surgery wards; but it was the NSW Government’s mean-spirited refusal of a decent pay rise that pushed them too far. Members at Dubbo Base Hospital imposed works bans that achieved a commitment from management to address ongoing workload pressure on theatre nurses. According to NSWNA delegate Rosemary Schwarz, members were forced to take action because patient and nurse safety was at risk due to chronic understaffing in the theatres. ‘For a number of years, nurses have had heavy workloads but the problem just exploded over the past few months. We were frantic every shift. Nurses were very stressed and morale was really low,’ she said.

A massive 516 hours overtime worked by nurses in March drove members to hold a crisis meeting where they agreed to implement work bans including refusal to work additional lists in theatres without adequate staffing and refusal to take on non-life-threatening cases after 9 pm on weekdays and 8 pm on weekends.

‘When the government refused to pay us a 4% pay rise, it was just the last straw. It showed us they have no respect for nurses.’ Following this action by the NSWNA Dubbo branch, management agreed to an extra two RNs each shift and an external review of theatre lists over the next four weeks. Nurses will be consulted over the

terms of reference for the review and selection of the reviewer. The NUM and evening Nurse Manager will also have the power to cancel any non-urgent cases and routine cases that will attract overtime, and will oversee self rostering to ensure a safe skill mix for each shift. It was also agreed that additional nursing staff will be recruited before extra theatre lists commence. The branch agreed to lift the bans on the condition that nurse workloads are monitored on a weekly basis. Rosemary said: ‘Out of a sense of goodwill, we took on overtime and missed out on meal breaks to take up the slack. ‘When the government refused to pay us a 4% pay rise, it was just the last straw. It showed us they have no respect for nurses. We felt we were just covering up the problems for them and we were being taken for granted. ‘What worries me is that we get new graduates who take one look and see how frantic and stressed we are and they say, “forget it, we don’t want to work here”. ‘The nursing workforce at the hospital is nearing 50 years of age. Who is going to replace us when the profession is so undervalued and overworked?’ n THE LAMP JUNE 2005 19

A G E N D A

ENDANGERED g Nurses will have to defend their right to a reasonable workload and other hard-fought rights and conditions under the nurses’ award when the Howard government grabs control of the Senate on 1 July.

hen the federal government takes control of the Senate from 1 July, John Howard – for the first time since he became Prime Minister – will be able to pass whatever laws he likes without them being blocked or changed by the Senate. The government says it wants to use these new powers to rewrite Australia’s workplace laws and take away many Australian workers’ basic rights.

‘What their intentions boil down to is a direct employment arrangement between employers and employees with no unions, no tribunals and no arbitration. It will lead to increased inequality, declining standards of living, less healthy and safe workplaces and a reduced role for unions and collective bargaining.’ – Greg Combet, ACTU Secretary 20 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes says the changes are loaded to benefit business at the expense of Australian working families. ‘The government’s plans would make it harder for working Australians to get ahead and take them backwards at a time when many are just keeping their heads above water,’ he says. Brett says many of the government’s plans will have important consequences for NSW nurses. ‘The creation of a national system using corporate law will mean there will be no safe haven in state Labor jurisdictions. If you work for or are employed by an incorporated board, such as a health board, you will be drawn into the federal system. ‘The government intends reducing the number of matters in awards. For example, they will be able to take the workloads clause out of our public hospital award.’ There are currently more than 50 Clauses in the Public Hospitals Nurses' (State) Award. The federal government wants to reduce the number of Clauses to 16, and businesses are pushing for only six. ‘Other important gains like super will also be removed from awards,’ said Greg. ‘Our ability to take industrial action will be constrained. For example, the families of patients will be able to take action under the Act and demand the termination of industrial action. ‘In a broader sense, by bringing state workers into the federal arena they are reducing the influence of state Labor governments on the economy and their ability to deliver fairness. It is all about centralising power in Canberra.’

A struggle for the future of unionism ACTU Secretary Greg Combet agrees the government’s agenda is serious and there will be a struggle for the future of unionism and the right to collectively bargain. ‘It is a substantial challenge. What the government is trying to do is individualise working relationships. ‘In most advanced economies like the UK and the United States, there is a provision in the laws for collective agreements. Under the Howard government’s changes we will end up with the worst of all worlds. ‘The government wants every worker to be employed on an individual contract or as an independent contractor. If they had their way, every employee would have to have an ABN (Australian Business Number). ‘What their intentions boil down to is a direct employment arrangement between employers and employees with no unions, no tribunals and no arbitration. It will lead to increased inequality, declining standards of living, less healthy and safe workplaces and a reduced role for unions and collective bargaining. ‘The attacks have already started with over 90,000 employees in the tertiary education system being offered individual contracts in return for funding. ‘They intend to abolish the way minimum wages are set, take out the union role so wages will be frozen or decline in value.’ Although the government’s agenda is draconian, unions throughout Australia are prepared to defend the interests of their members, says Greg Combet, ‘When I talk to unions around the country, there is no fear or panic. We’re going to fight. We’re going to protect as many people as we can within the state IR systems. And for those workers pushed into the federal IR system, we are going to push Howard back as far as possible.’ n

We need to protect our award Though many people don’t realise it, almost all working Australians currently enjoy the protection of a strong award system. Most of the pay and conditions we take for granted are guaranteed in state or federal awards. The rights protected by awards include: s wage rates based on skills levels s overtime pay s weekend or night work rates s work related allowances s maternity and parental leave s annual leave

s redundancy pay s reasonable workloads. The government says it wants to cut a number of important conditions from awards like skill-based pay structures, bonuses, jury service, allowances and picnic days. Business is urging them to go much further and get rid of awards altogether and replace them with just five or six minimum conditions. The Howard government also wants to totally abolish state awards, which cover half the Australian workforce including NSW nurses.

HOWARD LOSES ONE OF HIS BATTLERS David Anasson, RN at Scalabrini Village, Bexley, has voted Liberal all his life but he now asserts Howard’s power is out of control, and his changes to industrial relations laws are very scary for workers. 'I voted for Howard last election but I never thought they would get control of the upper house and have carte blanche to do whatever they liked. The election didn’t give them a mandate to change the IR laws. I wouldn’t have voted for them if they had said they were going to change the IR laws during the election campaign.

Right to a reasonable workload scrapped

Nursing shortage to worsen

Rose Meiruntu, Nurse Educator, RPA

Michael Koenen, RN, St Vincents Private, Lismore

I feel uneasy about the government’s changes. They want everything the same whether it is for coalminers or for nurses. But we have different needs. We need our unique conditions recognised. It’s important to protect our award. We worked hard to get it, it provides us with guidelines and it protects workers. It shouldn’t be taken over federally. Stripping the award will be unattractive for nurses. Conditions like the workloads clause shouldn’t go. It has to stay so we can measure our skills mix and workloads. I think individual contracts are a problem as well. It is difficult to negotiate one-on-one with an employer. People are naive about these issues and don’t have access to the information. They’re not a good thing. I think the way the minimum wage is set should stay the same with unions arguing for an increase. Otherwise the low-paid don’t have the power and won’t be able to argue their case. They will be screwed.

I think reducing the conditions in awards is dangerous. Workers will not be protected anymore. It doesn’t make any sense when you have a nursing shortage. We need to make it a more attractive profession rather than strip back our rights. The government’s unfair dismissal laws will leave people much more vulnerable. Everyone has commitments such as mortgages. This will mean they will have less job security. In private hospitals, with the constant fluctuation of patients, these laws could be used to get rid of permanent people and replace them with casuals. The government wants to make it more difficult for unions. It seems ridiculous to take a step backwards and give more power to employers so they don’t have to share their profits and social responsibilities with workers.

They’ll be able to set the minimum wage at any level they like. You see executives earning $18 million a year but the minimum wage could end up being set at $250 to $300 a week. If we go down the American road, we would have people on $2.50 an hour on the minimum wage like they do in Kansas. How can people live on that? The present system is perfectly good, it works well and people are happy except for the federal government. They just want total control. Most of the big companies are doing well and are already making money hand over fist at the expense of workers. I’ve voted Liberal all my life but I feel hoodwinked. If I knew they were going to change the IR laws I wouldn’t have voted for them. We have a good union, strong in numbers and we should stand up to them. I’m prepared to be part of it. I’ve never been on strike but it’s different when faced with losing pay and conditions that we’ve won over many years. In aged care we are vulnerable because it is funded federally. Things about living in Sydney are not applicable elsewhere like Perth or Tasmania. You need to earn more money in Sydney – food and rent is much more expensive. Their one-size-fits-all approach won’t work here. They can’t lump us all in as one. The best thing is to have the states run their own IR laws and have their own commission.’ THE LAMP JUNE 2005 21

A G E N D A

UNIONS WILL FIGHT TO PROTECT

YOUR BASIC RIGHTS AT WORK Unions will oppose the Howard government’s changes and campaign for:

several actions planned to kick-start the campaigning at the end of June. It will conduct separate Sky Channel hook-ups – one for union delegates on 27 May and another for the broader community at a later date to explain what the government is intending to do.

s a strong safety net of award minimum wages and conditions;

s proper rights for Australian workers to reject individual contracts and bargain for decent pay and conditions in collective agreements;

s the right to join a union and be represented by a union;

s a strong independent Industrial Relations Commission to settle disputes and ensure fair minimum wages and conditions.

This hook-up will include a video to explain the impact of the changes on workers including a starring role from NSWNA President, Coral Levett, who will explain how the stripping of awards will impact on nurses – especially on our workloads. They will host a family concert and picnic on 7 August. They will also set up a public inquiry around the Industrial Relations system.

Unions NSW – the peak body representing workers in NSW – has

‘Regulatory excess in the name of fairness is misconceived.’ Michael Chaney, Business Council of Australia Financial Review, 16 February 2005.

‘We should be moving to an industrial relations system where the predominant instrument is the individual contract.’ Peter Costello, Federal Treasurer, The Age, 19 February 2005.

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WHAT THE ACTU IS DOING The ACTU will launch a National Week of Action from 26 June.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO CHANGE AUSTRALIA’S WORKPLACE LAWS

The government has not revealed all of its plans, but based on what it has said so far we know it wants to take away the following workplace rights: 1. Remove employment conditions from awards. 2. Change the way minimum wages are set to make them lower. 3. Use individual contracts to undercut existing employment rights and conditions. 4. Keep unions out of workplaces and reduce workers’ negotiating and bargaining rights.

How can you help to protect your the campaign rights at work?

Union members, employees and concerned communit members everywher y e the Howard Governmeneed to send a strong message to nt that Australia its plans to take does not support away basic rights at work.

What you can do to the union campai support gn: •

• •

The ACTU has created a website www. yourrightsatwork.com.au and a range of campaign materials – flyers, bumper stickers, posters and fact sheets – that can be downloaded for use by workers. 22 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

• • •

Tell your work colleagues, family about the Howard and friends them a copy of Government’s plans by giving this flyer. Be active through the best way to your union - strong unions are protect your rights at work. Grab an ACTU campaign pack of information and materials.

Ask your employer to sign a Rights and commit to at Work Charter, respecting your rights at work. Join the ACTU’s national week of union community action - 27 June to 1 July. and Let your local Liberal or National Party know that you Federal MP oppose the Governme to take away basic nt’s plans rights at work. Access all your Rights at Work campaign materials, petitions and informatio n at

www.rightsatwork.com .au

You can also contact Council, or call your union, State Trades and Labour the ACTU Hotline on 1300 362 223.

www.actu.asn.au Authorised by G Combet ACTU 393 Swanston Street Printed by Printcast Melbourne Pty Ltd Unit 1. 16-20 Amcor Way Campbellfield3000 3061

things you need to know about the Federa Government’s plans l to change Austral ia’s workplace laws

5. Abolish redundancy pay and protection from unfair dismissal for people who work in small business. 6. Reduce the powers of the independent Industrial Relations Commission to settle disputes and set fair minimum standards at work.

Nursing awards

under threat

g Ged Gowin, ANF Assistant Federal Secretary, warns an attack by the federal government on nurses’ awards puts our rights and conditions at stake.

ne of the things I loved about being a job rep was introducing members to their ‘Nurses’ Award’. I had a very battered and dog-eared version that I would cart around with me whenever I had to help a member resolve an issue. It was a very powerful tool and gave me lots of confidence to argue a point if I had to, or just to set something straight. It also helped me give members the power and confidence to sort out their own issues. Arming them with their clause, I would send them into battle, advising them to stay calm, and to politely point out they had the award to back them up. Nine times out of ten they

would sort things out themselves, and I wouldn’t hear about it again. Recently, I have found myself reflecting on those days and of the ‘protection’ I felt working under our award and with my union organisers. There is much discussion currently about the government’s proposed changes to the industrial relations laws and regulations in this country. And you might think: ‘Oh industrial relations, why would I worry about that?’, and skip over that article in the paper, or tune out at the item on the news. But, as nurses who are covered by state and federal awards and agreements, you should be concerned and informed about what is happening. Our very own awards and agreements are at stake – including the very one I so preciously learned and used to protect my colleagues and fellow union members. The proposed new laws seek to abolish many guaranteed conditions available to nurses through that award system, reducing them down to only six matters and eventually abolishing awards altogether. For example, on the hit list for our awards are long service leave, notice of termination, skilled-based career paths, and many allowances – to name a few.

And if you are currently covered by a state award, as in NSW, you are not necessarily safe from the changes. There is a move to establish a single industrial relations system that will attempt to nullify state awards and rein in everyone under a federal system. These changes will threaten our right to have union organisers come on site to help us and to look after our interests. Our right to use tried and true industrial campaigns to argue for better conditions and wages could also be taken away. It will be easier for employers to sack workers unfairly, and of great concern to us, is the proposed removal of powers from that great Australian institution, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. That is only the tip of the iceberg. We are concerned about the changes and their impact on you. So read that article, and listen to that news item, and chat about what can be done to try to stop the changes. Visit your local member of parliament, ring talkback radio, and write letters to newspapers. With the government taking control of the Senate in July, community action is going to be vital – and you, after all, are the community! n Courtesy of the Australian Nursing Journal, April 2005 THE LAMP JUNE 2005 23

Sometimes the best medicine doesn’t need to be taken. When you work as a nurse in aged care, you will learn the skills that enable you to assess the health needs of a patient and organise the most appropriate treatment plan. You’ll also be responsible for communicating with the patient and their family as well as monitoring their progress both physically and emotionally. Just a little thing, like sharing a joke, can really make someone’s day. Improving someone’s quality of life is a feeling that can’t be compared. Then again, nursing is a career that can’t be compared. If you’re interested in a career that’s challenging and rewarding visit www.nursingandmidwifery.com.au Proudly supported by the Johnson & Johnson family of companies.

Challenging. Rewarding. Nursing. J&J0278/LAMP

24 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

N RE O P WFSE SI S N I OB N RA I EL F I S S U E S

Big fine for DADHC after assault g Isolated nurse attacked by dangerous resident.

savage attack on a nurse at a Sydney residence for developmentally disabled people should have been foreseen and could easily have been prevented, an industrial judge has found. Simple steps to make the workplace safer remained unenforced even months after the assault, Justice WR Haylen said. Justice Haylen fined the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) $227,500 after the department pleaded guilty to a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It was the tenth fine imposed on DADHC for occupational health breaches since 1999. The attack on the nurse, by a resident referred to as BL, happened at Logan Cottage in DADHC’s Rydalmere Centre on 25 September 2002.

BL entered the nurses’ office and punched the nurse in the head. She activated her personal duress alarm and screamed, but BL continued punching, knocking her to the floor and kicking her several times in the groin. The nurse suffered deep cuts and bruises and required 11 weeks off work after being diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Justice Haylen said a psychiatrist’s report before the assault showed that BL was ‘potentially extremely dangerous’. In the eight months before the assault, BL had been responsible for 17 incidents of verbally and physically aggressive behaviour and damage to property. Justice Haylen said ‘a large question mark remains about how BL came to be located where he was.’ BL was transferred to a more secure unit after the attack. He said the nurse was the only staff member rostered to work at the cottage where BL lived. There was only one door to the nurses’ office and it was not locked to prevent clients entering. Though the nurse used her personal duress alarm during the attack, the nurses’ office, unlike other buildings, did not have an installed duress alarm or a warning light

attached to the outside. This light would have allowed other staff to pinpoint where the alarm was coming from. Because of the absence of a warning light, at least one staff member who responded to the alarm went to the wrong building before finally turning up at the nurses’ office. Justice Haylen said steps taken by DADHC in response to the assault included: s Installing emergency exit doors s Installing a hard-wired duress button and duress location light s Staff training. He added that DADHC had not issued a directive to keep clients out of the nurses’ office until almost four months after the assault. The directive had to be reissued three months later because it was not being observed. He said he accepted of the assault should be seen in the context of a large number of front-line DADHC staff, by the nature of their work, being exposed to challenging behaviour and having to deal with it. Nevertheless he said DADHC had committed a serious offence. ‘I believe that there was foreseeability of this risk and simple steps to remedy the detriment to safety exposed by this incident’ he said.n

SAFETY MEASURES STILL INADEQUATE afety measures at the Rydalmere Centre are still not up to scratch – two and a half years after the bashing of the nurse at Logan Cottage. NSWNA health and safety coordinator Trish Butrej said staff remain vulnerable because the alarm system depends on other staff members being close enough to a cottage to hear its individual alarm siren. ‘There could be circumstances in which other staff may not hear the

siren. Even if another staff member does hear an alarm they may not be able to leave a client to go to the aid of a colleague. There still doesn’t seem to be any organised method of responding to an alarm,’ Trish said. She said the NSWNA will push for the installation of a personal duress alarm system which directly pages other staff members giving the location of the problem. The Association will also seek to have locks fitted to all cottages.

‘Some cottages can’t be locked against intruders, leaving residents and nurses vulnerable,’ Trish said. DADHC does not seem to have learned from these prosecutions. It is not unusual to find their employees working alone in high-risk situations with either no alarm or an inadequate alarm. ‘The NSWNA believes nurses should never work alone with potentially violent clients and that all possible protection should be offered to the staff.’ THE LAMP JUNE 2005 25

A G E N D A

n o s e i l More

he Howard government has broken a ‘rock-solid, iron-clad’ election promise by raising Medicare’s safety net thresholds. Between 300,000 and 400,000 Australians will miss out on a rebate over the next year due to the threshold increase, independent experts estimate. The government is refusing to release figures showing the numbers affected. The safety net was the main plank of the government’s election pitch last October when the Health Minister, Tony Abbott, gave ‘an absolutely rock-solid, iron-clad commitment’ that the government would keep the $300 and $700 thresholds. But in April, in another blow to the poor and sick, and to the government’s credibility, the thresholds were raised to $500 for pensioners and concession card holders and $1,000 for others.

‘A Tony Abbott commitment now will raise horse laughs.’ The government has chosen to target the poorest and most vulnerable people in its attempt to find savings in the health program, said Dr Richard Denniss, health researcher for independent think tank, the Australia Institute, ‘The government expects a $6 billion budget surplus this year yet it is still prepared to sacrifice the health of the weakest members of society,’ he said. The higher thresholds mean most people will only be reimbursed 80 cents in the dollar when their annual out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital care hits $1,000. Before benefiting from the safety net, most people will have to spend more than $1,000 on covering the gap between the Medicare benefit and what the doctor charges. The average out-of-pocket cost to see a GP is $14.70 so even pensioner patients would need to make 34 visits in a year 26 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

before the safety net applies, according to Catholic Health Australia’s chief executive, Francis Sullivan. During last year’s election campaign the government estimated the safety net would cost $440 million over four years. In April it claimed it had suddenly discovered that costs had blown out to about $1 billion. Tony Abbott was forced to deny that he knew the real cost of the safety net before the election, and that his ‘guarantee’ not to raise the thresholds was a deliberate lie. On Channel Nine’s Sunday program, interviewer Laurie Oakes put it to Abbott that the government knew before the election that the cost of the safety net had trebled. LAURIE OAKES: ‘The lies are still being told, aren’t they? We know that Treasury…said that to abolish the safety net would cost $1.3 billion. In other words, they knew that was the cost of this scheme. That was known before the election. Yet John Howard claimed the other day that it’s only recently they’ve become aware of the extent of the problem. So we’re still getting lies.’ TONY ABBOTT: ‘Well, no. The government was aware of a significant blowout before the election.’

LAURIE OAKES: ‘Your word’s not worth much any more, is it? A Tony Abbott commitment now will raise horse laughs.’ As Opposition Leader Kim Beazley commented: ’This is so typical of John Howard. Say anything, do anything, promise anything to get yourself elected and then after the election present the Australian public with the bill. ‘It beggars belief that a promise made in October last year cannot be sustained in April this year.’ Raising the thresholds will do little to slow the escalating cost of the safety net, partly because its uncapped nature places no limit on doctors’ fees covered. The architect of Medicare, Professor John Deeble, says the scheme encourages doctors to expand the range of services they recommend. Monash University professor of health economics, Jeff Richardson, agrees the cost of the scheme will continue to escalate. ‘Unsurprisingly the safety net helps people with access to expensive medicines and that tends to be the wealthy and they’re not deterred by an increase in the safety net,’ Professor Richardson said.

promise t e n y t fe a S g board thrown over

Abbott backtracks on plans to slash IVF funding

g Community outrage stumps Abbott’s ‘3 strikes and you’re out’ plans for IVF funding.

n outpouring of community outrage forced the Government to resist slashing Medicare funding for IVF treatment in the Budget announced on 11 May. Instead, the government announced a review into the effectiveness of reproductive technologies. In April, Health Minister Tony Abbott had announced the federal government’s intention to cut Medicare funding of IVF treatment in the forthcoming budget. Abbott’s plans would have limited couples to three Medicare-subsidised treatments per year, while women over 42 will be entitled to just three treatments in total. After that couples would have had to pay $4,500 out of their own pocket if they need more than three treatments in a year, said Sandra Dill, of the IVF support group Access. The government argued the cutback would have saved $7 million next year. By comparison, the baby bonus is expected to cost more than $260 million. ‘I think Australian women are pretty sceptical about Minister Abbott and his agenda of imposing his values on them when it comes to fertility,’ commented Labor’s health spokesperson, Julia Gillard. Dr Richard Denniss, health researcher for independent think tank, the Australia Institute, said: ‘Abbott picked on a highly emotive and personally sensitive medical intervention to save a trivial amount of money. ‘Instead of this selective approach we should have an honest public discussion about what we expect from Medicare, about the sorts of things Medicare will and won’t cover, to develop some sound general principles about funding,’ Dr Denniss told The Lamp. He was supported by the Dean of Medicine at Sydney University, Stephen Leeder, who called for a debate about Medicare funding guidelines generally. ‘To single out a particular intervention and say we’re not going to fund this one is politicising an issue that does not deserve to be politicised,’ Professor Leeder said.n

WIN A EUROPEAN ADVENTURE Prize Includes: return airfares for 2 (ex Sydney) flying Austrian Airlines, 3 Nights in Paris and 3 nights in London - staying at the beautiful Concorde Hotels. The trip also includes cross channel train fares from Paris to London. WIN DAVID JONES VOUCHERS Every time you recruit 4 new members to the NSWNA, you will be awarded a $20 David Jones voucher, and for every member after that you’ll receive a further $5 voucher. It’s that easy! MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORMS HURRY – CALL THE ASSOCIATION NOW FOR YOUR RECRUITMENT KITS! PH: 8595 1234 (METROPOLITAN AREA) OR 1300 397 962 (NON-METROPOLITAN AREA) OR GO TO www.nswnurses.asn.au THE LAMP JUNE 2005 27

Frequently asked questions about the

Federal Government’s

co-contribution scheme Generally no, the co-contribution can only be paid to your superannuation fund account. However, if you reach preservation age, retire and take your beneﬁt before the co-contribution is paid, it will be paid directly to you.

When can I withdraw the co-contribution? The preservation rules which apply to superannuation savings apply to the co-contribution. See When can I be paid my superannuation beneﬁts? FSS fact sheet 5 for more information.

Will I always receive the super co-contribution? Generally you should always receive the government’s co-contribution to your super savings if you earn less than $58,000 annually (for 2004–05) and meet the eligibility criteria which apply.

Is the co-contribution payment independent of your spouse’s income? Yes. The co-contribution is calculated on an individual’s total income, subject to meeting the criteria which apply. A spouse’s income does not affect your eligibility for, or the amount of, the co-contribution if you are eligible.

What about teenagers who earn under $28,000. Can they be in the co-contribution scheme? Yes. A teenager who meets the eligibility criteria which apply is not treated any differently to any other taxpayer. This means anyone (including a teenager) who earns up

Like more information? ■

Visit the web www.ﬁrststatesuper.nsw.gov.au

■

Email your enquiry to enquiries@fss.nsw.gov.au

■

Ring Customer Service on 1300 650 873 for the cost of a local call (unless calling from a mobile or pay phone) Monday to Friday 8.30 am – 5.30 pm (AEST).

28 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

to $58,000 annually, makes personal contributions to their super account from after tax income, and meets the other requirements which apply, should be eligible to receive a government co-contribution. The maximum co-contribution is payable to an eligible person whose annual income is less than $28,000.

To get onto the co-contribution program, do you need to send in a form? How do you get started? You do not need to take any action to receive the co-contribution. The Australian Taxation Ofﬁce will identify whether you are eligible to receive a co-contribution, based on information it receives from your superannuation fund. If you are eligible, the Australian Taxation Ofﬁce will arrange payment of the co-contribution to your super account.

I’m a casual employee and my income varies a lot depending on how much work I do. My income each year could be anything from $26,000 to $34,000. How much would I get from the government, if I made extra personal contributions to my super account? The co-contribution is paid on your total income for a financial year, subject to you meeting the eligibility requirements which apply. It does not matter how much your income varies during the financial year: the total income declared in your tax return will be the figure that determines the amount of the co-contribution you receive, if eligible. Disclaimer: FSS Trustee Corporation (FTC) ABN 53 226 460 365 has taken reasonable care in producing the general information contained in this article and nothing in it is to be regarded as professional or personal advice. Members should seek their own independent, professional advice before making any decisions which may affect their future. FTC does not guarantee the repayment of capital or any particular rate of return for investments and past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.

COCONSC1 10/04

Can the co-contribution be paid into my bank account?

NN K EO WWSI NI G N YBORU IRE SF U P E R

Forget choice, I want security, says Gemma emma Smith, an EN at Canterbury Hospital, is sick of hearing about choice. ‘You hear it all the time – from banks, advertising, politicians, supermarkets. I don’t need more choice. I need some genuine help with making a decision,’ she says. Gemma says this is particularly true when weighing up the pros and cons of different super schemes. ‘Really, what do I know about the details of finance and super. I just want a fund that will deliver me enough money for a comfortable and secure retirement.’

‘Australia’s super industry is worth about $700 billion a year. The industry super funds are worth $11 billion but have more than seven million members. This is a field of prey for financial institutions.’ Gary Weaven says unions’ primary objective has always been to ensure that Australian workers have access to lowcost superannuation that maximises their retirement income. ‘Unions are not opposed to choice but they harbour serious reservations about the impact of the new laws.’ In particular, there is a fear that financial planners will be the organising arm of corporate funds.

More choice for employers

Beware when it comes to your super

From 1 July 2005, more than 50% of Australian workers will be given a choice about where to direct their retirement savings. Gary Weaven, a key architect of union involvement in superannuation and now a respected industry consultant, says union members need to very wary about the new changes and the bombardment of advertising they are about to receive. ‘The government’s intention is to wipe out award provisions for super. This means employers will determine what sort of super an employee gets. It gives employers more choice. ‘A lot of money is being spent on confusing the public about the marketplace and products. Commercial funds are outspending industry funds by five to one on advertising,’ he says.

Gary says the key concerns are: s mis-selling by financial planners will lead to employees being diverted from low-cost, high-performing industry super funds into potentially higher-cost and poorerperforming retail funds that pay commissions to financial planners. s unscrupulous financial planners will move their clients’ super from one fund to another to gain more concessions and fees. s higher fees will eat into employees’ super accounts and ultimately leave them worse off when they retire. Unions and the Labor Government introduced universal superannuation in 1995 to address the ageing population.

At that time, only 39% of employees had superannuation. Now 97% of the workforce has super. According to research conducted by a major super research group, SuperRatings, over five years to 31 December 2004 the average industry super fund returned $8.34 in earnings for every dollar taken out in fees. The average retail master trust returned $2.44. n

‘I don’t need more choice. I need some genuine help with making a decision.’ -Gemma Smith-

KEY BENEFITS OF INDUSTRY SUPER FUNDS s s s s s s

All profits returned to members No agents’ commissions Low fees No dividends paid to shareholders Consistent investment performance Secure: they are over 20 years old, have over 5 million members and over $75 billion of workers’ super

s Trusted: they were founded by unions to give all workers the right to super with member representation on board.

‘Employers will determine what sort of super an employee gets. It gives employers more choice’ -Gary WeavenTHE LAMP JUNE 2005 29

Make the

➔ right

NURSECOVER

move

a legal plan for members of the NSWNA Members now get relevant legal advice and representation for all sorts of workplace issues such as having to appear before the Coroner’s Court, the Health Care Complaints Commission or the Nurses’ Registration Board and of course the all-too-common problem for nurses work injuries and the tangled web that is called the ‘workers’ compensation system’. You are also entitled to have one free standard will drawn up and one free consultation in relation to other legal problems. But what happens when you need a solicitor for anything else? Legal costs can be crippling and it’s virtually impossible to get legal aid these days. For $2.50 a week, you will get access to a whole range of discounted legal services.

For more information on NURSECOVER, ring the NSWNA on 1300 367 962 or go to www.nswnurses.asn.au

5th NSW Nurses’ Association Professional Issues Conference 21 September 2005 Sydney Masonic Centre Something for everyone! Diarise now Why should you attend? This conference will showcase major professional issues in a new format of plenary and concurrent sessions. Key issues will include: Your mental health Changes to enrolled nursing

Costs: Members $85, Non Members $135,

Shift work & fatigue Workloads & skill mix

Nursing Students Free

for registration form visit www.nswnurses.asn.au or call Carolyn on 8595-2181

Watch this space for more details

30 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

Q & A

ASK

JUDITH Vacancies not to be filled by security officers Is it appropriate for security officers to provide special observations for aggressive patients in emergency departments?

The Association believes special observation is a nursing duty that must be safe and therapeutic. Special observations are an important intervention requiring skill and expertise. Special observation should not be allocated to security officers or other non-nursing personnel. A security officer may enhance physical safety but clinical care should be provided by mental health nurses with the support of security guards if required.

Act defines waiting times How long should mental health patients who are scheduled to a hospital wait to see a psychiatrist?

The Mental Health Act, which is currently under review, requires a patient brought

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS AT WORK, NSWNA ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY JUDITH KIEJDA HAS THE ANSWERS. THIS MONTH JUDITH LOOKS AT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AND MENTAL HEALTH. into hospital under schedule 2 to be examined by a doctor (s.29) as soon as practicable (within 12 hours). A second examination (s.32) must occur as soon as practicable and be performed by a psychiatrist unless the doctor conducting the first examination was a psychiatrist.

Mental health units in ED What is a PECC (Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre)?

A PECC is a new government initiative. The centres are part of an emergency department providing specialist care to patients experiencing a mental health crisis. Currently, there are two centres being trialled at Liverpool and Nepean hospitals.

OF INTEREST

The ANF would like to work with members who are keen to develop additional skills representing nurses at a national level. If you are a member of the Australian Nursing Federation (including the NSW Nurses‘ Association and the Queensland Nurses Union) with an interest in any of the following areas:

When we can’t cope What do we do when we just can’t cope any more with all of the mental health patients in the unit?

As well as a safety and welfare matter that is taken to the OHS committee, this issue should be referred to the workloads committee under s.48 of the award. It is now a breach of the award to have an unreasonable workload. The clause provides a strong mechanism for nurses to act on such a situation.

Support from Mental Health Alliance

No danger money

What is the Mental Health Alliance?

Do I get danger money for looking after mental health patients?

It is a group of front line workers in mental health from five unions including the Association. They are working together to lobby for improvements in mental health services. Any interested person should contact Angela Garvey at the NSWNA. n

No you don’t. There’s no allowance in the award for danger money but employers have an obligation to provide a safe work environment. If you don’t think it s s s s s

EXPRESSIONS

is safe you have an obligation to contact your OHS rep.

Rural health; Standards (Standards Australia); Child and family health; Information technology; or Quality use of medicines

And you have the time to spend up to one to two days a month representing the ANF, we would like to hear from you. The selection criteria are: s A nurse licensed to practice in one of the Australian states or territories; s Completion of relevant postgraduate education; s A knowledge of contemporary nursing and other health issues; s A strong commitment to the trade union movement including at least two years membership of an ANF branch; and

s Excellent communication skills. In addition, the ANF is seeking expressions of interest from ANF members interested in representing the ANF on selection committees for various scholarships, e.g. the aged care and rural/remote area scholarship schemes funded by the Australian Government. Payment of costs and for services will be negotiated on an individual basis. Contact: Victoria Gilmore (Federal Professional Officer) if you would like more information on these exciting opportunities on professional@anf.org.au or 02 62326533. Expressions of interest must be sent to: The Federal Secretary PO Box 4239 Kingston 2604 ACT by Friday 24 June 2005. THE LAMP JUNE 2005 31

N E W S I N B R NURSES INTERNATIONAL I E F DAY

Happy In ternatio g It’s the one day of the year when it’s time for nurses to shine, and this International Nurses Day we did it in style. On 12 May, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, NSW nurses joined millions around the world to celebrate the profession and remember why nurses are the heart of health. W CAMPBELLTOWN HOSPITAL PAYS TO TRIBUTE TO TSUNAMI NURSES Campbelltown Hospital staff marked the joys and challenges of nursing with a special presentation, including a speech by one nurse who was part of a tsunami rescue team in Sri Lanka.

X FIJIAN THEME AT WESLEY GARDENS AGED CARE With so many Fijian staff, it seemed natural to pick a Fijian theme at Wesley Gardens Aged Care, where many staff wore the vibrant colours of their birth country. Residents at the facility loved seeing the nursing staff in their dresses and asked why they couldn’t dress like that every day! The Fijian theme was continued with a lunchtime BBQ serving a host of dishes from around the world. Ruci Kava is an AiN at Wesley Gardens and says International Nurses' Day was a chance for her to reflect on why she loves nursing. ‘Being an AiN is a great job, it’s a big challenge for me, caring for the old. We are providing them all the best of care that no one else can possibly offer,‘ she said. ‘Nurses all over the world are doing a fantastic job.‘ 32 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

RN Amanda Larkin recounted her time in Sri Lanka helping countless tsunami victims in the difficult weeks following the disaster. There were also moments of humour when Amanda revealed her ’60 seconds of fame’, showing a tape of a Channel Nine news bulletin of her self in Sri Lanka wearing her ‘Proud to be a MacArthur Campbelltown Nurse’ T-shirt. Amanda was awarded a certificate of recognition for her work in Sri Lanka, and several other nurses were recognised for clinical excellence with certificates awarded by Area DoN Kerry Russell.

X AUSSIE BBQ FOR AMITY AT ASHFIELD It was a traditional Australian BBQ for the Amity at Ashfield nurses, but a speech from a South African nurse made it more of an international affair. One Amity resident’s family member wanted to express her gratitude to the staff with a gift of fruit and cookies, and management chipped in by paying for the lunch and sending a floral arrangement.

! y a D ’ s e onal Nurs MACKSVILLE HEALTH CAMPUS WISHES YOU THE BEST V Macksville operating theatre nurses decked out in their theatre uniforms posed for a photo to wish everyone a happy International Nurses Day. Macksville Health Campus held a special BBQ to say thank you to its nursing staff. Denise O’Connor, an EN from the OT, conveyed her best wishes to all nurses. ‘It’s nice to be recognised one day of the year. It’s a chance for all of us to get together and recognise why nurses are special.’

X T-SHIRTS SHOW NURSING PRIDE AT KEMPSEY DISTRICT HOSPITAL Seven different specialties of Kempsey nurses posed for this photo, showing nurses from education, community health, management, two emergency nurses, operating theatre and mental health cutting a celebratory cake. The mid-north coast nurses also developed a special T-shirt to commemorate the day with the slogan ‘Kempsey Nurses Care.’

U WOLLONGONG HOSPITAL HAS A BALL There was plenty to celebrate in Wollongong as nurses attended a special International Nurses’ Day ball held in their honour. The theme was masquerade and nurses from both public and private facilities in the area donned bright and colourful masks for the occasion. A DJ entertained the crowd until the wee hours of the morning. Glen Barrington, who helped organise the ball, said the night was a wonderful success. ‘The highlight of the night was to see all the nurses come together and celebrate. We’re already looking forward to next year!’

U SYDNEY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FLIES THE FLAG FOR NURSES Sydney Children’s Hospital raised their native flags to celebrate International Nurses’ Day, and with staff from such far-flung destinations as Ireland, the UK, South Africa, Canada, the United States, Scotland and Singapore, it was a truly colourful celebration.

THE LAMP JUNE 2005 33

COMPETITION

WIN! FABULOUS iPOD MINI All NSWNA members are eligible to win an iPod mini, the very latest music trend from Apple. We have two to give away, courtesy of Virtual Communities. With the iPod mini you can listen to your favourite music with ease and style. Valued at $299, the iPod mini is so small it fits in your pocket or purse; and so versatile, you can listen to your favourite music anywhere! To enter the draw for an iPod mini, write your name, address and membership on the back of an envelope and send it to: The Lamp iPod mini giveaway

PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 Virtual communities can provide you with the latest computer technology at an affordable price. As a member of the NSW Nurses‘ Association, you can access low-cost, top-brand home computer packages and accessories. With one phone call, you can make the most of our comprehensive service including:

s Great value computer packages and quality accessories

s Free installation and online training s 30 days‘ free help desk access s Low cost finance arranged with Members Equity (you own the computer from the start). Virtual Communities is the major technology supplier to union members Australia-wide. For more information, call 1300 131 789 or go to www.virtualcommunities.com.au Conditions of entry: Open to NSWNA members only. Competition closes 1 July. One prize per member only. Winners’ names are not published for privacy reasons.

34 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

N U E W R SS E S I NW BHROI E DF A R E

Sharon remembers the tsunami’s forgotten victims

g Sharon Pippin, RN, heads off to India to assist those whose lives have been destroyed by the tsunami.

n upside to the tsunami disaster that struck on Boxing Day was the generosity of Australians highlighted with an unpreceded outpouring of donations and rescue and relief efforts. But as the flood waters subsided, so did much of the aid. But many people in these counties in Sharon Pippin South-East Asia were already extremely poor, and the damage reaped by the tsunami has increased their suffering manifold, according to Sharon Pippin, CNE at McArthur Private Hospital. ‘Many people still desperately need assistance so they can rebuild their lives. Their villages were destroyed, their livelihoods uprooted and the psychological trauma lives on – their already difficult lives are now much more miserable,’ she said. That’s why Sharon has volunteered to go to Chennai, in India, at her own expense to provide assistance to communities in remote villages that were destroyed by the tsunami. Through the Global Network of Volunteers, Sharon will be setting up a mobile health clinic that will visit remote villages in south-east India that were largely bypassed in the first wave of relief. ‘The people are suffering a level of poverty that’s hard to comprehend. They have had to treat their own injuries from the tsunami,’ she said. ‘I’m a little overwhelmed by what I’ve taken on. It’s going to be extremely confronting work but the knowledge that I’ll be helping people in real need encourages me. I felt I had to do something to help. ‘Part of my role will be providing counselling to those suffering post traumatic stress. ‘I’ll be there for seven weeks – I’m taking annual leave plus some unpaid leave.’ With accommodation and food required on top of the $1,500 airfare, Sharon estimates she will personally contributing more that $4,000 for the trip. ‘I’ve held raffles at work to try and raise money,’ she said. n

Garage sale to save a little girl’s sight g Sydney nurse gets first-hand experience of the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation.

t took several months, a monster raffle and a market stall for Sydney nurse Lynette Dine to raise enough money for a trip to Vietnam. Now back in Australia, Lynette is on the fundraising trail once again, thanks to a chance meeting with a little Vietnamese girl who is going blind. Lynette, a theatre nurse at Campbelltown hospital, met 10-year-old Bui Thi Kim Ngan outside the Da Nang Eye Hospital. Ngan has bilateral cataracts but her family cannot afford the expenses associated with an operation. So Lynette and her Australian travelling companions, all supporters of The Fred Hollows Foundation, decided to raise the money. ‘Ngan lives 250km from Da Nang, her father is dead and her mother will have to leave her other children to travel by bus with her for the surgery,’ Lynette said. ‘She will be in hospital for two weeks, and after that we would like to buy her a new dress. ‘I will be running a garage sale, which I would like donations for*, and a sausage sizzle some time soon.’

Lynette went to Vietnam with The Fred Hollows Foundation’s ‘See the World Challenge’. Participants must pay for their trip via community fundraising – a means of publicising the work of the Foundation – with half the money raised going to the Foundation. The Foundation has trained 322 Vietnamese doctors to perform modern cataract surgery, and supplies thousands of free intraocular lenses every year. It recently trained seven Vietnamese surgeons to perform sutureless surgery which further reduces the cost of operations and makes them more accessible to the poor. Almost 100,000 Vietnamese now receive sight-restoring surgery every year, compared to the 100 cases conducted annually before the Foundation’s program started in 1992. The Foundation also helped set up the Da Nang Eye Hospital. ‘The hospital doesn’t have all the equipment we in Australia have, but the Vietnamese staff are doing amazing work. The theatres appear to run very well,’ Lynette said. ‘It is wonderful to see the looks on the patient’s faces when they can see their children and grandchildren again.’ n

To learn more about the ‘See the World Challenge’ or to make a tax-deductible donation to The Fred Hollows Foundation, phone 1800 352 352 or visit www. hollows.org From top: Lynette with 10-year-old Bui Thi Kim Ngan (her sponsored child), at Hoi An Orphanage and with The Fred Hollows Foundation’s participants at Da Nang Eye Hospital

*To send donations to assist Ngan contact Lynette on (02) 4647 0151 or email stevedine@iinet.net.au THE LAMP JUNE 2005 35

N U E W R SS E S I NW BHROI E DF A R E

Ten hours in a lifetime g Taken away from her Aboriginal mother as a baby, Nancy de Vries spent her childhood being shunted from one home to the next – neglected, abused, and told she wasn’t wanted. In her book, Ten Hours in a Lifetime, Nancy tells of her journey to become a nurse, and confronting the painful past to find her mother.

was taken away from my mother at the age of 15 months. Like thousands of other Aboriginal children, I was taken away so that I could be given a better life. Believe you me, to put somebody in 22 different places before they are 18 is not giving them a better life. My mother and I were staying in Correlli, Marrickville, a home for young mothers and babies. She tried to keep me. She kept me for 15 months. She tried. They took me away. Because I was fair. I found out I was Aboriginal when I was five, at Bidura Children’s Home. We were having bread with honey on it and hot cocoa. It was one of my favourite meals, it was wonderful, chomping into 36 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

it. So when I heard, ‘Stand up, everybody, stand up!’ , I thought, I’m not standing up, I’m going to sit here and have my bread and my hot cocoa. Because that’s what I thought was important when I was five! The matron said, ‘Oh you naughty girl, get in the corner.’ So there I was standing in the corner, and here was an Aboriginal girl with an afro hairdo. I screamed, I got an awful fright. Then the nurse, she was an awful brute, came over and grabbed me and said, ‘You stupid little girl, you’re just like her.’ And that’s how I found out I was Aboriginal. They said I was uncontrollable. I kept on running away, looking for my mother Ruby. I went to Callan Park. Because I used

to shoot through all the time, they stuck me up in the refractory ward, which was for the worst type of mental patients. I ended up having shock treatment. They gave you a gag to bite, you were on your back and they’d put a pillow under the small of your back, hold onto you and boom! One day it went wrong. They didn’t knock me out. I could feel the electricity going through my body. I was terrified of electricity for years later. I’ve wanted to be a nurse from when I was eight years old, and so I worked in nursing homes looking after old people for 27 years.

‘My mother tried to keep me. She tried. They took me away. Because I was fair.’ Then the nursing course at University of Western Sydney came up, I was talking to a friend of mine who mentioned it. I said: ‘No, I wouldn’t be good enough for that,’ but she sent my application in. I could have hit her!

This article was extracted from Nancy’s book, Ten Hours in a Lifetime, published by UWS. The title refers to the amount of time Nancy was able to spend with her mother. The book has only had a limited print run, but a copy is available to borrow

Finally I enrolled and put my name down and paid the fees. Early on there was frustration from never having written anything down. To Aboriginal people time is different. Meal times are never set at a fixed time. We eat when we are hungry. The sun and the moon and the seasons guide us, not clocks and watches and deadlines. Deadlines and submission dates are hard to get used to. There was no ‘Koori time’ at uni and that affected most Aboriginal students.

I not only graduated with a piece of paper to say that I’m a registered nurse and that I’ve done my course, but I graduated as a person. So it was good, it gave me self confidence. I ended up doing very well, averaging about 70-75% on assignments. After graduation I worked in the Aboriginal Health Service in Brewarrina. I used to look at the staff in our community centre and see them so neat and tidy, but my clinic wasn’t. I would be giving sex talks to the boys down on the riverbank, or talking to the mums sitting on the verandah while they were playing bingo. It was very informal. But as an Aborigine and a nurse when I see them drinking, see the apathy, I start thinking – ‘hey, we’ve got to make these people think they are worthwhile.’ A lot of them have the idea that they are not good enough. One day I found out my mother wanted to see me, actually wanted to meet me, after 53 years. I had to leave at 7.30 in the morning to go out to Bourke to see her. The amazing landscapes you go through! That’s when you feel how wonderful Australia is, and for me to suddenly come to grips with the fact that this is my country, this is where my people belong, the land. I got to Bourke. My mother’s flat backed into a lane. I could hardly walk. I knew why she was sitting down when I arrived, because she probably felt the same way.

SWNA MEMBE

ERS FOR N 2 SPECIAL OFF

The Lamp is offering members a special deal so they can enjoy over 170 of the best features,

To grow up, not knowing your family, you don’t know who you look like, you know. To suddenly sit in front of somebody and it was almost like looking in a mirror, although she had dark eyes and I had light eyes. Do you know what was the most healing moment of my life? When Bob Carr and all those politicians apologised and let me feel they were sorry that it happened to me and they would make sure it doesn’t happen again. One of the stolen generations had to be nominated to speak at parliament, and they got my name. You’ve got no idea how wonderful that day was. Everybody was saying to me that day, ‘Are you nervous? Are you nervous?’ And I said, ‘No – I’m not letting this lot overpower me!’ So anyway, when I got up in parliament I had to say, ‘I would like to welcome the members of the Aboriginal community,’ because I was speaking on behalf of them. It was an amazing day, I felt very humble that I had been asked to step up there. To stand there where all those older politicians had made those laws and say, ‘This is the result of those laws that you made, this is the hurt you gave us.’ Bob Carr – Bob Carr’s an amazing man, very reserved. And when he got up and spoke I thought, ‘Thank God you’re the one that’s accepting this.’ And then he gave the apology. So that was right then. n

52nd Sydney Film Festival!

documentaries and short films from around the world at this year’s festival.

The Sydney Film Festival is the premiere film event of the year, taking place this year 10-25 June.

from the NSWNA library, phone 8595 2175 (metro) or 1300 367 962 (country). The NSWNA library also has a video available in which journalist Maxine McKew interviews Nancy about her extraordinary life.

When you buy one ticket any festival Tuesday to a screening before 2 pm at the State Theatre, you get a free ticket for a friend! Simply present your nurses card at the State Theatre box office to redeem your ticket.

The Mini Day Pass lets you make the most of the festival – you can see up to three films a day before 4 pm at the State Theatre between Tuesday and Friday in either Week 1 or Week 2 for just $90, which is just $7.50 a film! Simply call the Sydney Film Festival booking number, 9280 0611, and quote NURSE when purchasing your Mini Day Pass.

PLUS purchase a Mini Day Pass by Friday 17 June, and go into the draw to win a double pass to the closing night gala screening of the Australian premiere of Howl’s Moving Castle.

For full program and ticketing information please visit www.sydneyfilmfestival.org THE LAMP JUNE 2005 37

%XCITING .URSING /PPORTUNITIES IN THE 53! AND THE 5+ 53! #OME AND EXPERIENCE THE 53 OF ! FOR YOURSELF YEAR CONTRACTS AVAILABLE TO EXPERIENCED 2'. S IN SOME OF THE lNEST TEACHING HOSPITALS AND HEALTHCARE #ENTRES FOR %XCELLENCE IN #ALIFORNIA 4EXAS !LABAMA !RIZONA AND -ICHIGAN %XCELLENT SALARY AND RELOCATION PACKAGES AND FULL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE ALONG THE WAY &REE GREEN CARD SPONSORSHIP SO YOU CAN TAKE YOUR FAMILY AND STAY ON AT THE END OF YOUR CONTRACT IF YOU LOVE IT AS MUCH AS WE THINK YOU WILL

,/.$/. /PPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN A NUMBER OF CENTRAL .(3 TRUSTS AS WELL AS PRIVATE HOSPITALS IN THE GREATER ,ONDON REGION FOR 2'. S SPECIALISING IN /NCOLOGY (AEMATOLOGY #ARDIO 4HORACIC #ARDIOLOGY ##5 AND 4HEATRE 3CRUB #OMPETITIVE PACKAGES AND FULL ASSISTANCE WITH ALL REGISTRATION AND IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS ,ONDON REALLY IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING CITIES IN THE WORLD AND IS AN EXCELLENT BASE FOR TRAVEL TO %UROPE AND THE REST OF THE 5+ 4AKE ADVANTAGE OF GOOD HOLIDAYS AND THE LOW COST AIRLINES TO SEE THE WORLD OR STAY IN ,ONDON AND SAVE YOUR POUNDS TO SPEND IN !USTRALIA n THE EXCHANGE RATE IS GREAT &OR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT (ARRIET "ULLARD % HARRIET BULLARD INTERSTAFF CO UK 4

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6 April 2005

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4 May 2005

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22 June 2005

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Topic Growing your super â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how much will you need? Growing your super â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how much will you need? Growing your super â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how much will you need? Growing your super â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how much will you need? Growing your super â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how much will you need? Investments and investment performance Growing your super â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how much will you need?

Seminar times are 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm, doors opening at 5.00 pm

www.firststatesuper.nsw.gov.au 38 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

How to contact First State Super? Customer service Phone 1300 650 873 for the cost of a local call (except from a mobile or pay phone). 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (AEST) Monday to Friday Postal address First State Super, PO Box 1229, Wollongong DC NSW 2500 Fax (02) 4253 1688 Email enquiries@fss.nsw.gov.au Internet www.firststatesuper.nsw.gov.au Personal interview service For an interview at any of the locations listed below, call (02) 9238 5540. Sydney Parramatta Port Macquarie Newcastle Wollongong

SEMIN2 01/05

How to book a seminar? To book your place at one of the following seminars, either email or fax your name and telephone contact details to Natalie Marin at: Email: natalie_marin@firststatesuper.com.au Fax: (02) 9238 2599

Disclaimer: FSS Trustee Corporation (FTC) ABN 53 226 460 365 has taken reasonable care in producing the general information contained in this article and nothing in it is to be regarded as professional advice. Members should seek their own independent, professional, financial advice before making any decisions which may affect their future. FTC does not guarantee the repayment of capital or any particular rate of return and past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.

N U E W R SS E S I NW BHROI E DF A R E

Saving kids from SIDS g Philomena McGoldrick has seen how hundreds of babies’ lives have been saved by a few simple initiatives brought about by SIDS research and health promotion.

hilomena McGoldrick, a clinical nurse educator in maternity at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney, explains an important part of her role is educating patients and their families, as well as staff, about how to minimise the risks of SIDS, a tragic condition in which seemingly healthy babies can die suddenly in their cot. Despite the increased awareness in the community about reducing the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and stillbirth, 100 babies still die of SIDS each

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SIDS There are three main ways to reduce the risk of SIDS: Put baby on the back to sleep, from birth Sleep baby with face uncovered Cigarette smoke is bad for babies

year in Australia, and many more children are stillborn. Philomena says midwives and nurses can be the key to providing information to first-time families, who may have no experience of pregnancy and childbirth. ‘Midwives are the unsung heroes for many families out there, and educating people is the key to empowering them. ‘Patients are sometimes reluctant to hear about potential risks. We have to inform people that sometimes things can go wrong, and that’s where SIDS comes into it. You can tell people how to minimise risks but the risks are still there. ‘Losing a baby is devastating for any parent and, aside with coping with their grief, it can also shatter their confidence when contemplating having further children,’ says Philomena. Philomena says the most important step for grieving parents is to acknowledge the loss of their baby and the flood of emotion that goes with it. ‘As long as it is acknowledged, it’s much easier for people to move on.’ Parents at the Mater attend a special

‘Patients are sometimes reluctant to hear about potential risks. We have to inform people that sometimes things can go wrong, and that’s where SIDS comes into it.’ home after losing a baby, where they are counselled by social workers. When the parents are ready to try for another child, they are kept in a group with other parents who have lost a baby. ‘They can talk about what they are going through with people who’ve experienced the same thing,’ says Philomena. n

RED NOSES SAVE BABIES’ LIVES Red Nose Day run by ‘SIDS and Kids’ is one of Australia’s great health promotion success stories. The first Red Nose Day run in 1988 was one of the first campaigns of its kind, where a charity creates a novelty day to raise money and awareness. Red noses were seen on cars, planes, newsreaders and thousands of ordinary people. The day created huge public awareness of a relatively unknown condition

and raised $1.3 million for research. The result of the research and subsequent health promotion is that SIDS deaths have fallen 70% since 1989, when 513 babies died of the condition. 24 June will mark 18 years of Red Nose Day for SIDS. While the day has saved the lives of countless babies, many poorer mothers and Aboriginal women are still at risk of losing their babies to the condition. For more information, visit www.sidsandkids.org THE LAMP JUNE 2005 39

Guide to Managing OHS Risks in the Health Care Industry Coordinating Authors: Claire Mayhew and Chris Peterson On a daily basis, health care workers face a wide range of hazards and risks, including occupational violence, infections, injuries, risks associated with precarious employment, stress, and the particular problems faced in small businesses such as GP surgeries. This book is a practical guide to help OHS professionals in related industries, as well as managers and supervisors in hospitals, clinics and community health organisations, to reduce the hazards and risks faced by health care workers, and to improve their OHS status.

NEW RELEASE

Written by expert health care professionals, this guide:

An essential reference for every OHS professional, as well as every manager or supervisor in the health care industry. To find out more or to place an order, phone CCH Customer Service on: 1300 300 224 or visit our website at www.cch.com.au

•

identifies the major hazards and risks to which diverse groups of workers are exposed;

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recommends policies and strategies to enhance preventive interventions;

•

provides guidance on effective risk management strategies for the range of hazards and risks in different environments; and

•

helps managers to meet their duty of care obligations enshrined under the OHS regulatory frameworks in all Australian jurisdictions.

CCH Code: 3908A ISBN: 1 921022 28 0 CCH Australia Limited 40 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

ABN 95 096 903 365

First Choice For Professionals

L I F E S T Y L E

Book me The Happiness Handbook by D. Timothy Sharp, Finch Publishing, RRP $24.95 Can it really be so easy to be happy? Absolutely, says respected psychologist and author Timothy Sharp, founder of the Happiness Institute in Australia. In this book he shows that happiness is nothing more than a way of thinking and doing; and that beliefs lead to actions, which in turn lead to happiness. Dr. Sharp outlines a comprehensive and practical individual happiness plan and dismisses the notion that our happiness is dependent on other people. The Happiness Handbook includes numerous accounts of how Dr Sharp has helped clients. In addition, each chapter has a ‘Happy Ending’ story – illustrating how that chapter’s strategies have been effectively put into practice.

Wound Care Nursing: A Guide to Practice by Sue Templeton, Ausmed Publications, RRP $79.95 Wound Care Nursing: A Guide to Practice provides expert, practical, personcentred, evidencebased advice for nurses who care for people with wounds. Wound-

care nursing is now beginning to receive the recognition it deserves. The book highlights wound management as a developing speciality in its own right, but still manages to extend basic knowledge without being too prescriptive or specialised. Rather, the book highlights the principles of practice – and encourages readers to think about their current practice. While being aware of more sophisticated knowledge and practices, the book promotes the notion that simplicity is a virtue.

Caring for the Vulnerable: Perspectives in Nursing Theory, Practice, and Research by Mary de Chesnay (ed.), Jones and Bartlett, RRP $88.00 Caring for the Vulnerable explores vulnerability from the perspective of individuals, groups, communities, and populations, and addresses the implication of that vulnerability for nurses, nursing and nursing care. The text presents a basic structure for caring for the vulnerable, and forms a theoretical perspective on doing so within a cultural context, with the ultimate goal of providing culturally competent care. As nurses are the crucial link between those who are vulnerable

and those with access to solutions, the last unit provides ideas for how nurses might advocate for the vulnerable on a policy level. Written specifically for nurses, by nurses, Caring for the Vulnerable is a timely and necessary response to the culturally diverse populations for whom nurses must provide appropriate and precise care.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Woman’s Guide to Identifying & Managing PCOS. by Dr John Eden, Allen and Unwin, RRP $26.95 Up to one in four women has polycystic ovaries. Of these women, seven out of 100 suffer the effects of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This easy-to-understand guide offers the latest advice on managing PCOS. Dr Eden, an Associate Professor in Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of NSW and Director of the Sydney Menopause Centre, the Natural Therapy Unit and the Barbara Gross Research Unit – all at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney – has been researching PCOS for 20 years. His expertise in this area will give women the confidence and knowledge to ask their doctors the right questions, and make informed choices about their health in the future. n

WHERE TO GET

JUNE NEW RELEASES These books are all available on order through the publisher or your local bookshop. Members of the NSWNA can borrow any of these books and more from our Records and Information Centre. For borrowing information, contact Jeannette Bromfield, 8595 2175, jbromfield@nswnurses.asn.au or Cathy Matias, 8595 2121, cmatias@nswnurses.asn.au

THE LAMP JUNE 2005 41

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The Edith Cavell Trust Scholarships for the academic year

2006 Applications for the Edith Cavell Trust Scholarships are now being accepted for 2006. Members or Associate Members of the NSW Nurses’ Association or the Australian Nursing Federation (NSW Branch) are invited to apply. Applicants should meet one of the following criteria: 1. Student nurses undertaking full-time courses leading to initial registration as a nurse 2. Registered or enrolled nurses who wish to attend: • an accredited clinical nursing education course of six months or less, either full-time or part-time; • an accredited nursing conference or seminar relevant to applicant’s clinical practice. 3. Properly constituted nursing organisations, faculties or schools of nursing or registered or enrolled nurses wishing to: • attend full-time, relevant post-basic studies at an approved institution for a period or periods of more than six months; • undertake an academically approved research programme in the theory and practice of nursing work; • conduct or fund a relevant professional or clinical nursing educational programme Applicants must be currently registered or enrolled with the NSW Nurses’ Registration Board (or the Registration Board of the State where practising). Applicants must use the official Edith Cavell Trust application form. Details of the Edith Cavell Trust Rules are available on request and will also be supplied with the application form. For further information or forms, contact: The Secretary – The Edith Cavell Trust PO Box 40, Camperdown NSW 1450 Tel: Mrs Glen Ginty 1300 367 962 Email: gginty@nswnurses.asn.au Web: www.nswnurses.asn.au – click on ‘Education’

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APPLICATIONS CLOSE 5PM ON 31 JULY 2005

CRoSSWoRD

Test your knowledge with The Lamp’s nursing crossword 1

9 10

12 13

16 17

21 23

29 30

s ACROSS 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 16. 17. 18. 20. 21. 23. 26. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

Pain down the back of the leg (8) An autoimmune condition affecting the skin and organs (5) Twitch (3) Another name for doctor (slang) (6) Covering of the eye (6) The organ of hearing and equilibrium (3) Clouding of the lens of the eye (8) Come together and work as a group (5) Doorway to outside (4) Trainee Enrolled Nurse (1.1.1) Where seriously ill people go in hospital (1.1.1) Small, tiny (4) Muscular organ that pumps blood (5) Ward in which patients undergo and recover from operations (8) Human eggs (3) Cause, reason (6) Sheath of connective tissue enclosing a muscle (6) Protrusion of organs through tissue, a rupture (6) The scientific study and treatment of tumours and cancer (8)

s DOWN 1. 2.

Atopic dermatitis (6) Fluid in the mouth with an enzyme to help break down food (6) 3. Formerly known as ‘manic depression’, ……. disorder (7) 4. The insertion of a tube into the body (15) 5. Pressure sore (5) 6. Large organ under the stomach that breaks down red blood cells (6) 7. To help (6) 15. Fungal skin infection often affecting the feet (5) 16. Urinary tract infection, abbrev (1.1.1) 19. Feelings of irritability or depression before menstruation (1.1.1) 22. Any opening in the body (7) 24. The hard outer covering of the tooth (6) 25. The back of the eye (6) 27. Synthetic shape inserted into a shoe to support the foot (6) 28. Getting older (5) 29. The heart, skin, lung, etc (5) Solution page 45 THE LAMP JUNE 2005 43

DIARY DATES

Conferences, seminars, meetings SYDNEY, HUNTER & ILLAWARRA Holistic Nurses Association of NSW Date: First Tuesday each month, 7 pm Venue: Macquarie Hospital, North Ryde Details: Kate Belfield 9634 3924 Infection Control Association NSW Southern Metro Interest Group Date: First Wednesday each month, 2 pm Venue: Rozelle Hospital Details: Jan O’Hara, 9556 9179, jan.ohara@email.cs.nsw.gov.au Sydney Hospital Graduate Nurses’ Association Date: 3rd Wednesday each month, 10.30 am Venue: Nightingale Wing of Sydney Hospital Details: Karys (Hall) Fearon 4323 1849; Jeanette Fox, 4751 4829 CNSA – Sydney Executive Committee Meeting Date: 7 June Venue: Level 12 RNS Hospital Details: Tracy Cosgrove 9926 8200 Australian Association of Stomal Therapy (AASTN) NSW Date: 7 June 2005 17.45 (1st Tue every 2nd month) Venue: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Level 9 Main Building Details: Anne Marie Lyons (02) 9767 6761 The Disability Nurses Reference Group Second Monday of every 2 months 12.30 – 2 pm Westmead Hospital Monday 13 June, 8 August, 10 October and 12 December Details: Cheryl Jones (02) 4731 6222 Renal Society of Australasia (RSA) NSW branch Education Evening/AGM 17 June 2005 Venue: TBA Details: Susana.sanmiguel@fmcasia.com 44 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

ACAT meeting Date: 21 June Venue: Bankstown Hospital, L4 Details: Wendy Oliver, 9722 7300 Stomal & Wound Care Odessey Date: 25 June 2005 8.30-4 pm Venue: Edmund Blackett Lecture Theatre, Prince of Wales Hospital Contact: Carol Stott 9382 3869 Nursing & Allied Health Stroke conference “Smart Strokes” Calling for Registration & Abstracts Dates: 7 & 8 July Venue: Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney Details: Louise Pitney, 9437 9333, Louise@conferenceaction.com.au HIV, Sexual Health & Viral Hepatitis course Dates: 11-15 July Venue: RNSH Details: Carol Martin, 9926 6508, cmartin@doh.health.nsw.gov.au Infection Control Association of NSW 28th Annual Conference Dates: 21 & 22 July Venue: Hilton Hotel, Sydney Details: Jan O’Hara, 9556 9179, jan.ohara@email.cs.nsw.gov.au 8th Westmead Hospital Critical Care Evening Seminar Date: 29 July 2005 Venue: Carlton Hotel Church St Parramatta Details: Angela Berry or Richard Conway 9845 6065 angela_berry@wsahs.nsw.gov.au richard_conway@wsahs.nsw. gov.au ANCAN Catheter Workshop Study Day Date: 29 July 2005 8.30 – 4 pm Contact: Cheryl Meade meadec@sesahs.nsw.gov.au or PO Box 299 Mortdale 2223 Foundations in Diabetes Management Date: 1-5 August 2005 Venue: RHSH, Sydney Details: Helen Henry 9926 7229 hhenry@doh.health.nsw.gov.au Navigating Neuro Neuroscience Conference Date: 13 August Venue: Wollongong Hospital Details: Terri Penkis, 4222 5390, Narelle Walton 4253 4400

Westmead Midwifery Dinner ‘A Professional Evening for Midwives – Celebrating Midwifery’ Date: 2 September Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Parramatta Details: Sadie Dugdale, 9845 5555, page 01793, or lesleyepotter@bigpond.com 5th Australian Update on HIV & Hepatitis C in Children & Families Dates: 22-24 September Venue: Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick Details: Kidest Nadew, 9382 1654, or NadewK@sesahs.nsw.gov.au Community Nurse Audiometrists Assoc. 23rd Annual Conference Date: 12th, 13th & 14th October 2005 Venue: Hunts Function Centre, Cross Roads Liverpool Details: Rhonda Boyde 9824 8490 Email: rboyde@bigpond.net.au NSW Midwives Association ‘Midwifery by the Sea – riding the waves of change’ Dates: 21 & 22 October 2005 Venue: Swiss Grand – Bondi Details: Renee 9281 9522 or midwives@zip.com.au Wound Care Association of NSW conference Dates: 11 & 12 November Venue: Luna Park Conference Centre Details: Debbie Blanchfield, 4295 8203, or wcansw@lists. health.nsw.gov.au

INTERSTATE Drug and Alcohol Nurses of Australasia conference ‘Moving Forward, Looking Back’ Dates: 23 & 24 June Venue: Rydges Capital Hill, Canberra ‘Making Sense of Our Lives’ What might reminiscence and structured life review contribute to meaning making? A seminar presented by Faith Gibson Date: Tuesday 28 June 2005 3-6pm Venue: St Mark’s National Theological Centre 15 Blackall St Barton Canberra Registration closes Monday 20 June 2005 Details: CAPS 6273 8551 Email caps@csu.edu.au or www.centreforageing.org.au

3rd Australasian Conference on Safety & Quality in Health Care ‘Evolution or Revolution!’ Dates: 11-13 July Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre Details: www.aaqhc. org.au/resources .asp, or aaqhc05@sapmea.asn.au South West Infection Control Association Quarterly Workshop Day Date: 1 June Venue: Henty Community Health Centre, Henty Details: Cheryl Fox 6933 9125 Neurosurgical Nursing Professional Development Scholarship Cttee 1 Day Conference Date: 3 June Venue: Rydges Jamison Hotel Sydney Details: Fiona Wilkie 9954 4400 nnpdsc@dcconferences.com.au ‘The Changing Face of Critical Care, Seminar 2005, Celebrating 31 years’ Date: 21 July Venue Stamford Grand Hotel, North Ryde Details: Vivienne East, 0405 130 002, vivienne.east@email.cs.nsw.gov.au Partners in Pain: Patients Clinicians & Pain Management Date: 18-19 August Venue: Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour Details: Fiona Wilkie 9954 4400 Pinp@dcconferences.com.au CCSM: Chronic Condition Self Management Workshop Date: 19 August Venue: Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour Details: Fiona Wilkie 9954 4400 ccsm@dcconferences.com.au Assoc. Neonatal Nurses NSW 3rd Annual Level II Clinical Practice Day Date: 27 August Venue: Blacktown Hospital Details: Jennifer Dawson 02 4734 2863, dawsonj@wahs.nsw.gov.au 8th Australian Palliative Care Conference 2005 Date: 30 August – 2 September Venue: Sydney Convention Centre,

Diary Dates

Darling Harbour web: www.pallcare2005.com pallcare2005@tourhosts.com.au

Reunions Lewisham Hospital 30-year reunion PTS April 1975 Date and venue: TBA Details: Wendy Janick, 6925 0578, or Julie MacQueen (Conlan) 6686 7727 Christo Road Private Hospital Reunion Date: Friday 17 June 2005 7 pm Venue: West’s Leagues Club, 100 Hobart Rd, New Lambton Contact: Judy Wilson 49482277 25th Anniversary of North Gosford Private Hospital Date: 23 July 2005 Venue: Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Terrigal Details: Katherine Bridekirk 02 4323 8116, katherine. bridekirk@affinityhealth.com.au RPAH 30-year reunion PTS September 1972 Date: TBA September Venue: Vanuatu for 5 nights Details: ‘Don’ Stibbard, Stephen or Martha, 6629 5742, debraelfes@hotmail.com Reunion Renwick Infants Hospital (now Grosvenor Hospital) Date: 8 October 9.30am-3 pm Details: Rae Watson (nee Botefur) 4446 5577, Heather Fallows (nee Stewart) 9747 3598

St Vincent’s Hospital Darlinghurst P.T.S January & March 1965 40 Year Reunion Date: 15 October 2005 Venue: TBA Details: Carol Briscoe nee Patmore, carolbriscoe@bigpond.com Rosemary Morrow nee Candsell romorrow@hotmauil.com Donna Lukas nee Morrow donna.likas@lucas.com.au Dubbo Base Hospital Nurse Reunion Date 11 March 2006 Venue: TBA RSVP 30 June 2005 Contact: Betty Salter (Brooks) phone 02 6882 2718 email bettysalter99@hotmail.com St George Hospital Graduate Nurses’ Association 2006 will mark 60th annual general meeting and we are seeking all graduates who are no longer, or never were, members. Contact: BM Carruthers 4/1 Carlton Parade Carlton NSW 2218 Sutherland Hospital 30 Year Reunion PTS August 1972 Date & Venue: TBA Contact Details: Lois Berry (nee Cassidy) 02 44416884 ; Email - berryl@iahs.nsw.gov.au Particularly seeking contact with Gwenda Burchill (nee Hudson), Debbie Baker and Penny Lewis.

L]Vi¼h X]Vc\ZY4

Orange Base Hospital PTS Feb and March 1981 Date and venue: TBA Details: Joyce Kennedy (Biggs), 6361 0408, jkenne14@postoffice.csu.edu.au RNSH General Nursing 30 Year Reunion PTS May 1973- May 1976 Hoping to organise 30 years reunion for May 2006 Details: Robyn Birkinshaw, 02 4868 1003, robyn. perry@bigpond.com.au

Diary Dates is a free service for members. Please send information at least two months before the event, in the same format used here – event, date, venue, contact details. Send information to: Ms Glen Ginty Email: gginty@nswnurses.asn.au Fax: 9550 3667 Mail: PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 Please double-check all information sent is correct. The Lamp cannot guarantee that the issue will always be mailed in time for the listed event. Due to high demands on the page, some dates too close to publication or too far in the future may be cut. Special Interest Groups Special Interest Groups is now part of Diary Dates. If you are a special interest group, you now must send information about your event as above.

Send us your snaps

Desperately Seeking

If you’re having a reunion, send us some photos and any information from the night, and we’ll publish the results in The Lamp.

Margaret Geoffrey

Linen nurses needed!

Margaret was born around 1946 in Newcastle and attended St Theresa’s School and New Lambton School. She trained as a nurse in Newcastle. If anyone knows Margaret, contact Jan Kilmurray, jan.kilmurray@mater. health.nsw.gov.au. Chris Hobson Chris Hobson and I lived together at the hospital residence Babworth House in Darling Point. We worked at St Vincent’s Public at Darlinghurst between 1998-2000. Last known residence was in Glebe where he lived with his partner Julie an ICU nurse. Please contact Wojciech Korczynski, wojciech@korczynski.com.au

A call for nurses and former nurses - could you volunteer to help us with our linen service? Just two hours a fortnight, making beds with clean linen for frail elderly people in Lane Cove. (It’s more fun with a friend – but if you can’t rally one, we’ll match you with one of ours!) Details: Lane Cove Community Aid Service 9427 6425

From page 45 Crossword solution

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Hiâa d[[Zg^c\ cjghZh V [gZZ ^cî^Va XdchjaiVi^dc 8dciVXi i]Z 6hhdX^Vi^dc [dg V gZ[ZggVa [dg ndjg cd"X]Vg\Z ^cî^Va XdchjaiVi^dc Hiâa lî] gZ\^dcVa d[Å XZh CZlXVhiaZ AZkZa &! &,. 7gjc`Zg GY 6YVbhidlc! ''-.

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EgdjY id WZ i]Z aVlnZgh [dg i]Z CZl Hdji] LVaZh CjghZh¼ 6hhdX^Vi^dc# THE LAMP JUNE 2005 45

46 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

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50 THE LAMP JUNE 2005

DESIGN BYRNE Âˇ 2060-4/05

MH Matrix has been the leading Health Care Recruiter to the Middle East for over 24 years. We recruited the first Australian healthcare professional to a Saudi Hospital in 1980.

Special discounts for nurses

Bring this advert with you

Nurse Prote ction Pack • Window

END OF YEAR FREE FINANCIAL CLEARANCE

tint • Headlight pr ot • Mats • W/s ectors hields

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ranty 6 Year War les† ic h e v w e n on all

RUNOUT NO W ON

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HORNSBY MAZDA 64-72 PACIFIC HIGHWAY WAITARA

9.75%

Fixed not variable

9372 3000

Fast approvals

Convenient one stop shopping

APR Financing available for new & used vehicles up to 5 years old, minimum amount of loan $5000, fee & charges are applicable to approved purchasers

FROM

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Focus

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6 Year Warranty on all new cars† NOW AT OUR

HILLS FORD

NEW LOCATION

Independent Ford Dealer

206

FROM

9372 3000

64-72 Pacific Highway Waitara

407

FROM

29990

42790#

6 YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL NEW PEUGEOTS#

NORTHSIDE EUROPEAN PEUGEOT

53 PACIFIC HIGHWAY HORNSBY 9487 4344

NOW

NORTHSIDE EUROPEAN PEUGEOT

OPEN

#Plus $1895 dealer delivery and government statutory charges. †3 year factory plus 3 year dealer warranty on all new cars, conditions apply. Pictures for illustration purposes only. *Conditions apply to approved purchasers. DL11283 HM228

Everyone knows interest rates are rising. This makes it more important than ever to find the best deal you can.

Don’t be down-in-themouth about .74% 6 p.a. interest rates. Refinance your home loan ™ with me . 13 15 6 3

As a NSW Nurses’ Association member, you already have a bank of your own that has a home loan rate that’s the envy of the competition. It’s Members Equity.

Comparison Rate for Super Members Home Loan Standard Variable Rate

Why refinancing to ME can be a smart move. • No application fees

• No account keeping fees • 5 star Cannex Rating*

• Mobile lender can come to your home or workplace

As well as all this, you have access to other great Members Equity products like credit cards, personal loans and savings accounts. So before the next rate rise hits, contact Members Equity to find out more about our low cost home loans and other great products.

membersequity.com.au

Interest rate as at 17/03/05 and is subject to change. Fees and charges apply. Applications for credit subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. *CANNEX, mortgage star rating, September 2004. #Comparison rate for a Standard Variable Home Loan of $150,000 for a term of 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. A comparison rate schedule is available from Members Equity. Members Equity Pty Ltd ABN 56 070 887 679 6890 AD16 C135/1/0305