The Lamp June 2008 by NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association

lamp the

magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association

volume 65 no.5 June 2008

NSW GOVERNMENT

DON’T

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2 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

ABOUT THE LAMP

C O N T E N T S

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

Cover story

lamp the

magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association

volume 65 no.5 June 2008

NSW GOVERNMENT

DON’T TAKE US FOR GRANTED

NSW Government, don’t take us for granted 12 Cover

Print Post Approved: PP241437/00033

Commemorating the dedication of nurses on International Nurses Day Photograph by Sally Tsoutas

NSWNA COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Noel Hester T 8595 2153 NSWNA COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Russell Burns T 8595 1219 For all Lamp editorial enquiries, letters and diary dates: Editorial Enquiries T 8595 1234 E lamp@nswnurses.asn.au M PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 THE LAMP PRODUCED BY Lodestar Communications T 9698 4511

News in brief

Lifestyle

8 8 8 9 9 9 11

38 Movie reviews 42 Book me

More scholarships for nurses NSW’s first direct entry midwives graduate WorkChoices bites Lib candidate twice Ex-pollie empathises with nurses Spiders shut down hospital Fireys fined for speeding to blazes Burma Cyclone Relief Appeal

NSWNA education program

PRESS RELEASES Send your press releases to: T 9550 3667 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au

Notice 40 Warning! 33 workplaces without local branch representation

Obituaries

11 What’s on this month

41 Margaret Cluff (née Watt) a nurse ahead of her time

Industrial issues

Regular columns

24 27 29 29

Bans aim to stop Emergency mayhem Concord security under scrutiny Critical nurse shortages at Wagga Wagga Work bans at Grafton

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

31 Spotlight on health at 2020

6 34 45 47 48

Knowing your super

Competition

Agenda

32 Not so super for women

33 Win a pair of MBT Physiological Footwear

International Nurses Day

Special offers

36 The day of the Nightingale spirit

38 Win double passes to Unfinished Sky and five 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama DVD packs

THE LAMP EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Brett Holmes, NSWNA General Secretary Judith Kiejda, NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Coral Levett, NSWNA President John Lyons, Baradine MPS Jonathan Farry, Air Ambulance Mark Kearin, Blacktown/ Mt Druitt Hospital Roz Norman, Tamworth Base Hospital Stephen Metcalfe, Lismore Base Hospital Peg Hibbert, Hornsby & Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital Michelle Cashman, Long Jetty Continuing Care 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 THE LAMP ISSN: 0047-3936 General disclaimer The Lamp is the official magazine of the NSWNA. Views expressed in articles are contributors’ own and not necessarily those of the NSWNA. 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 NSWNA 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.

n Draw 30 June 2008

SWITCH TO DIRECT DEBIT AND WIN An 8 Day Escape for Two to WA’s Stunning Margaret River witch to direct debit and go into the draw to win a week of sheer relaxation and indulgence at one of Australia’s ﬁnest holiday destinations, Margaret River.

Our lucky direct debit winner will have the opportunity to unwind in luxury accommodation and explore jewelled caves, stunning forest, some of the world’s best beaches and great walking tracks. You can also enjoy the cosmopolitan side of the Margaret River Wine Region, exploring its boutique wineries and food producers, local arts and crafts, fabulous restaurants and live music and festivals. The prize includes return tickets for 2 from Sydney to Perth; 8 day car hire from Avis; 2 nights accommodation in Perth at Holiday Inn Burswood; 4 nights deluxe accommodation at Quest Margaret River serviced apartments; 2 nights accommodation at the Riverglen Chalets plus a bottle of Margaret River Wine and chocolates on arrival; a one-day tour of Margaret River Vineyards by the Wine for Dudes Tours; free entry into the Spectacular Caveworks Caves of Margaret River and the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse; and 2 cases Minot Margaret River wines.

4 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN WIN c cancel your payroll deductions and start paying your fees through direct debit and you will go in the lucky draw and/or c convince your colleagues to convert from payroll deductions to direct debit and you, and each of your colleagues who switch to direct debit, will go in the lucky draw and/or c sign up a new member using the direct debit method of paying their fees and you, and the new member, will go in the lucky draw. Membership Application forms or Direct Debit forms can be downloaded from our website www.nswnurses.asn.au Alternatively call the NSWNA on 8595 1234 (metro area) or 1300 367 962 (non-metro area) for more information.

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

Don’t take nurses for granted, Mr Iemma g The Rudd Government has kept its election promise and ploughed much needed funds into public health. It’s now up to the Iemma Government to meet its responsibilities and act to keep nurses in the system.

he NSWNA lodged its log of claims for improved pay and conditions for public health nurses and midwives with NSW Health on 15 February. As The Lamp goes to print, more than three months later, we have still not received an offer from the employer. This is unprecedented and nurses and midwives have good reasons to be angry with this show of contempt by the State Government. It gets worse. Also unprecedented is the Government’s declaration that it will not pay back pay for any agreement reached after the expiry of the old one on 30 June. With less than 20 working days to the expiry of the old agreement, and with no offer on the table, it is hard not to draw the conclusion that the Government is acting in bad faith towards its nurses. The talks conducted so far between your union and the employer have not been promising. There is no indication that the department will offer more than the 2.5% increase flagged in the Government’s public sector wage policy.

up 11.6%, bread up 9%, vegetables up 9.7% and food up by 5.7% overall. With petrol up 18.9%, rents by 7.1% and the relentless rise of interest rates – 12 in a row – the budgets of working families are under enormous stress.

Nurses and their families are doing it tough

To ask nurses to justify a pay increase beyond 2.5% with more ‘employee-related cost’ savings is a cruel joke. There is nothing left to give. The mountain of evidence to the Garling inquiry, and the all-tooregular breakdowns in our public hospitals, provide compelling evidence that the NSW health system is barely holding together and then only because of the heroic sacrifices of our nurses.

It is hard not to draw the conclusion that the Government is acting in bad faith towards its nurses.

This wages policy of 2.5% annual increases, unless there are demonstrable gains in productivity, is now looking, at the very least, inappropriate with Australian Bureau of Statistics showing inflation running at around 4.2% per annum. A closer look at the ABS figures are even more alarming with staples like milk

‘Can’t afford it’ is more of the blame game Throughout the life of the Howard Government the State Governments complained that the Federal Government, by reducing its share of funding of public health from 50% to 42%, was putting an unfair burden on state finances to keep our public health system working. There was a lot of truth in these claims. But this year’s Federal Budget has gone a long way to redress this issue with a significant increase in funding – $10 billion – for health and a change in emphasis in health policy, away from subsidising private health funds and towards greater investment in public health. These are very welcome developments. NSW has also complained strongly in the past about missing out on its fair share of GST revenue. Again, this issue has been redressed in the budget. Taken together, these funding measures show that Federal Labor is serious about fixing our health system and other public services. They have made more money available to the states to invest in health. However, the chronic workforce shortages and the unsustainable burden that has been put on the shoulders of nurses has been noticeably absent in Labor’s health announcements. It is a major weakness in their analysis of the health crisis. There is no point in investing in new infrastructure and beds if there aren’t any nurses to staff them. The ball is now in the Iemma Government’s court. It’s time to fix our public health system and they must start by addressing critical workforce issues and giving nurses fair pay and conditions so they will stay. To argue that they ‘can’t afford it’ is more of the blame game and NSW nurses aren’t going to wear it.n THE LAMP JUNE 2008 5

LETTER of the month

L E T T E R S

Val Sims

family commitments (I think), hopefully made not too many enemies, tried to keep my temper under control and had the honour of supporting families at a special time in their baby’s life. I guess I am, at heart, a midwife masquerading as a NUM. Val Sims, NUM, Bellingen River District Hospital

Inge Williams

Reminiscing at Bellingen

All the way with a UCA!

Joy Golds (April Lamp) is wrong – the hospital ship is not sinking, it is well and truly afloat due to the incredible efforts of the amazing staff (at Bellingen Hospital, anyway) who continue to believe that once you wade through the crap the most important person is the patient. I have been working at Bellingen Hospital for approximately 31 years. Since 1987 I have worked as a NUM level 1 managing a ward of 15 beds, which includes midwifery, palliative care, surgical, medical and pediatrics all thrown in. When I first commenced working in this wonderful hospital we had patients lined up on verandahs and two large rooms where patients were separated by a thin curtain (talk about confidentiality). It would have been an OH&S nightmare, especially for the team doing the checks for a Numerical Profile – never mind the ACHS accreditors who were to come in future years. One person who had a great impact on my life was Pamela Hayes. I met this wonderful midwife at Coraki during a course I attended. I shall never forget her vision. She was inspirational and changed my way of caring for women. Another colleague who also retired recently summed up the trial and tribulations of being a NUM in a rural hospital. With limited management time it is difficult to maintain standards that you set yourself and those set by your manager. Keeping up to date with IIMS, Cerner Pas, Proact Ps & Ps staff appraisals, attending all the meetings and trying to keep your head above all the bull***t that poured forth from the health department. The workloads tool has been of great benefit at ‘Bello’ especially for staff after hours, as it highlights the staffing issues when one RN on Hewitt Block has to spend the entire shift in the ED leaving two staff to manage the ward, answer the phone, care for the labouring women and try to have a break. I have been most privileged to have worked in an environment with a dedicated bunch of professionals and seen a succession of managers come and go with new ideas – some good, some just rehashed. I’ve managed to juggle my

We recently organised for a union collective agreement with management. Last year, myself and a few colleagues collected signatures to ask for a union collective agreement. Copies were sent to the NSWNA. We now find that staff have voted and the ‘yes’ vote came through strongly. Out of 147 staff that voted, 109 voted yes, 8 voted no and 1 was informal. Votes were counted on Monday, 31 March, with our union delegate Faylene Kennedy being one of the scrutineers. Betina Stankowski (Secretary) and myself Inge Williams (President and Alternate Delegate) were at a workshop at the NSWNA that day. After management sent in the paperwork on Friday, we then had a union collective agreement in place. Thank you to the NSWNA for guiding us to a successful outcome! The week the voting was on we had an information night where an NSWNA organiser came to explain everything and the next day another organiser made herself available to staff for questions. Thank you, guys! We will be negotiating again in June 2009 but this is a great start and hopefully we may be able to get even better conditions and pay for staff next time around. Inge Williams, AiN and Branch President, St Hegwig Nursing Home, Blacktown. Inge Williams won the prize for this month’s letter of the month, a $50 David Jones voucher.

6 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

Marion Beggs

Graceful retirement, with entitlements, please While reading the April issue of The Lamp I find myself agreeing with Joy Gold as to the lack of recognition for continuing service in the hospital system. We are fighting a losing battle for entitlements owed to us for long service. If we were politicians I doubt the fight would be necessary. As one who is rapidly approaching retirement from the said ‘sinking ship’, it would be nice if someone would take the time to sort out the problem that quite a few long-suffering members and myself have with the calculation of long service leave. It seems to be beyond anyone’s capability to fix the problems. During my career as a midwife spanning 30 years, I have moved from fulltime (18 months) to permanent part-time (night duty 11 years), straight back to fulltime (17 years day duty). During my parttime there were always ‘extra shifts’ worked that need to be calculated in as well. The problem now, as I understand it, is the pay office is unable to calculate our long service as the program does not work properly. This has been going on for years, as you well know, and it is time it was rectified. We are unable to get any satisfactory answers from anyone and all we want is our entitlements and full rate of pay when leave is taken. On behalf of other members here and elsewhere I am once again asking for assistance to rectify the problem so we can retire gracefully with our full entitlements. Marion Beggs, CNS, Gosford Hospital Editor’s response: In 2005, NSW Health agreed with Association representations about this problem and gave a commitment that all extra shifts must be included in calculations and, if necessary, a manual calculation should be done. More details are available at www.nswnurses.asn.au in the members-only section.

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

Got something to say?

Send your letters to: Editorial Enquiries email lamp@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.

Galetea Price

Back pay bonanza The part-time nurses who work at Ryde Hospital theatres on seven-day rotation have pursued, for many months, a fair interpretation of the Public Hospital Nurses Award in relation to Public Holiday payments. Typically, on public holidays the staffing at theatres is reduced to a minimum. The nurses who were rostered to work on the public holidays received payment as per the award. All other parttime staff were allocated the public holiday as their ordinary day off and thus, never got paid for a public holiday. Chris Blair from the Nurses’ Association took the matter up and successfully gained the part-time nurses their rightful entitlements. Now parttime nurses get paid properly for public holidays. They also received up to six years of back-pay (a number of these recipients subsequently donated a total of $335 of this pleasant surprise to CARE Australia!). The NSWNA is the only body in NSW that genuinely looks after the interests and entitlements of nurses. I urge all nurses to join the union. There is strength in numbers as demonstrated by this case. A strong NSWNA can negotiate and represent the nurse’s interests at all levels. Galetea Price, Ryde Hospital Branch Editor’s response: The current public health system campaign includes a claim to fix these part-time public holiday entitlement problems once and for all by changing the Award.

Senior RNs need better recognition I would like to express my support for the views expressed by Joy Golds (Letter of the month, April Lamp) and express my empathy in regards to the stressful situation described by Jan Keogh. I am a Triple Certificate RN who first registered in 1976. I am now into my fifties. I have worked in both the public and private systems – both hospital and community – only taking time off for a period of maternity leave. I currently work in a very busy Community Health Centre in the Mental Health Team and remain constantly

frustrated in regards to the Area Health Service’s expectations regarding workloads, the associated level of responsibility, the catch-22 of recording computer statistics to ‘prove’ how busy we are with client care, and the totally inadequate remuneration for this level of responsibility. It is common to have a case management load exceeding 40 clients with varied levels of acuity, and Community Mental Health nurses have become very skilled at ‘juggling’ their daily commitments, but at a personal cost. The level of stress is already extremely high when dealing with mental health clients. Added to this is the expected workload regarding non-direct client tasks; paper documentation; computer documentation (all within an allocated time frame as any ‘overtime’ can only be claimed as time in lieu, and we all know how difficult that can be to re-coup); the difficulty recruiting new staff to already under resourced teams etc. Is it any wonder that the aging RN population is burning out? Shift work seems to be the only way to gain adequate remuneration but we are all aware of the personal costs associated with this. Having said that, a junior RN working shift work in a hospital setting can earn a far greater wage than a very experienced RN working Monday to Friday. My decision to not work shift work, at present, is due to family commitments, but I anticipate this will need to change in the next few years to ensure a decent retirement. I am confident my situation is not unique. I am hoping there is success at the industrial table in regards to a monetary acknowledgement for senior nurses who are hanging in there, aware that they continue to offer an incomparable wealth of experience to the Area Health Service. Name witheld

EVERY LETTER PUBLISHED

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S T O P

P R E S S

DO YOU WORK IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL? IF YOU DO, THE ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU! The bargaining round for a Union Collective Agreement with your employer is about to start. This is a chance for you to have your say and we want to hear what is important to you. You should have received a survey which has been sent to members in all Private Hospitals. Make sure that you send it back in the reply paid envelope. If you have not received your survey, contact the Association for a copy of the survey.

Stephen Langford

Motion on immigration detention Following the loss of the anti-mandatory detention motion at the last delegates’ meeting, I thought NSWNA members would be interested to know how many people are in immigration detention and for how long. According to the Department of Immigration, as of 4 April this year, 50 people have been detained for seven days or less; 90 for one week to one month; 66, one month to three months; 43, three months to six months; 84, six months to 12 months; 55, 12 months to 18 months; 30, 18 months to two years; 67, two to five years; and five people have spent more than five years in detention.. Stephen Langford, EN, War Memorial Hospital

Public support I’m not a nurse (I’m an allied health professional) but I work on a telephone program where I have spoken to a number of nurses over the past few years. I am of the opinion that the conditions you are working under aren’t just causing nurses to leave the profession, those conditions are destroying nurses health. My son was recently in hospital and was treated brilliantly by both nurses and doctors but I couldn’t help but see, even on a relatively quiet weekend, how overstretched everyone was. Roslyn Davis THE LAMP JUNE 2008 7

N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

SCHOLARSHIPS

FOR NURSES SW Health Minister Reba Meagher has announced 484 postgraduate scholarships for registered nurses and midwives across NSW. On the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, Ms Meagher said it was fitting to announce so many scholarships on such a day. ‘International Nurses Day recognises the valuable contribution nurses make to the community and I’m pleased to be able to recognise this contribution by offering educational scholarships that will serve to improve the careers of many nurses,’ Ms Meagher said. ‘Applications for the postgraduate scholarships are still being processed and we expect the current number of scholarships to increase, with all of the recipients to be contacted shortly.’ Scholarships were awarded in clinical studies, midwifery, mental health, education and management. Ms Meagher said a total of more than $2 million in scholarships would be awarded through the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Fund, providing nurses with up to $8,000 each to continue their professional studies. ‘There has been a growing tradition of continuing education within nursing and midwifery and the scholarships are an ideal opportunity to take advantage of the wealth of educational resources and knowledge that exist in the field of nursing,’ Ms Meagher said. ‘Nurses are a vital component of our health system and we are working hard to build a highly skilled nursing and midwifery workforce that will meet the health needs of the people of NSW into the future.’ For more information go to www.health.nsw.gov.au

8 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

NSW’s first direct entry midwives graduate

he first graduates of the University of Technology’s (UTS) midwifery degree have received their testamurs and are already working to ease the critical shortage of midwives in NSW. UTS Bachelor of Midwifery is the first direct-entry midwifery degree in NSW, which allows students to enter the midwifery profession without first becoming nurses. It was created to address the acute shortage of practicing midwives and increase the choices available to pregnant women. ‘These graduates have achieved great success – they’re pioneers in midwifery in NSW,’ said Joanne Gray, Director of Midwifery Studies at UTS. ‘Each one has shown commitment and dedication in achieving their goal of becoming a midwife.

‘Before establishing the degree, UTS midwifery academics consulted widely with the midwifery profession and consumers to determine the need for this course, and then worked with the NSW Midwives’ Association to lobby for legislative change,’ said Ms Gray. The program, currently in its fourth year, allows graduates to work independently or as a member of a team in birth centres and hospital maternity units. Supervised practical placements begin in the first semester of the course, with students partnering mothers-to-be throughout their pregnancies, labour and post-natal care. UTS still offers a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery for registered nurses wanting to become registered midwives.n

WorkChoices bites Lib candidate twice

Federal Liberal candidate has the dubious distinction of being one of John Howard’s final WorkChoices victims following his dismissal from a firm providing services to Labor-controlled local councils. Ian Soylemez, who unsuccessfully ran against union leader Bill Shorten at last year’s election, was the only one of 900 employees sacked in a company restructuring he believes singled him out for his political beliefs – a claim recently dismissed by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Mr Soylemez said the decision ‘probably’ showed he was a victim of WorkChoices. When asked if WorkChoices had been used against him, Mr Soylemez told the

national media: ‘Well, it has, hasn’t it? My wife is going through a hard time accepting it.’ Without going as far as saying he’d been caught in his own party’s trap, he did say, ‘It’s something that you preach and you support and then ultimately you are slapped with what you were preaching and practising. ‘But it’s about going forward. The Liberal Party has sort of acknowledged their faults, and [is] making the change to what the public wants. That’s good, but not good for me, I guess.’ Mr Soylemez intends to pursue a claim in the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission and is in conciliation talks ordered by the AIRC over a separate claim that his termination was unlawful.n

Spiders shut EMPATHISES down hospital WITH NURSES

EX-POLLIE

ormer Federal Liberal MP Ken Ticehurst told his local paper, Central Coast Express Advocate, about the difficult working conditions Ken Ticehurst for nurses after spending 14 weeks at his dying wife’s bedside at Gosford Hospital. Between December and March this year, Mr Ticehurst rarely left the bedside of his wife, Trisha, who had been battling lung cancer for 15 months.

‘There is a disconnection between management and the “doers”.’ ‘We were certainly well looked after [by the staff of the M2 oncology ward] but they are really stretched. Three nurses look after 14 patients but when they go on a break – which they need – it can mean just one nurse for 14 patients,’ Mr Ticehurst told local media. ‘I was there for Trish but there were times when you waited 30 minutes after calling for a nurse.’ The former company manager described the hospital staff’s working conditions as ‘terrible’ and the senior medico’s office as little more than a ‘broom closet’. ‘The doctors and nurses do an outstanding job but I could see no support from management,’ he said. ‘There is a disconnection between management and the “doers”. I ran several companies and you walk around and ask what’s going on and listen to your staff. The processes [here] could be improved to make it better for everybody.’

aralaba Hospital in central Queensland has reopened its doors following an infestation of deadly redback spiders. For the first time in 82 years, the hospital had to be emptied of staff and patients last month to allow a full fumigation by pest controllers. Queensland’s rural director of nursing, Ellen Palmer, told local radio she was surprised at the interest the story generated. ‘I have had lots of calls from plenty of places ... I did an interview with a radio station in New Zealand and I [got] a call from a radio station in Los Angeles,’ she said. The infestation was blamed on this season’s big wet, which has forced thousands of the venomous arachnids

indoors, and the subsequent high humidity, which created perfect breeding conditions for them and countless other creepy-crawlies. Local pest controller Bruce Dekker said one single redback egg could hold between 30 and 400 spiderlings. ‘We have had them in toys and Tonka Trucks, under kids’ bike seats and even in sand pits where kids are playing,’ he said. The hospital will be closed for a second round of fumigation some time in May or June. Hospital staff had kept the spiders at bay with monthly sprayings but were recently overwhelmed by the vast number of little nasties in the roof cavity and spreading into wards and bathrooms.n

Fireys fined for speeding to blazes

n yet another classic case of bureaucratic bungling, NSW firefighters have been personally copping speeding and red light fines while responding to emergencies. In an entertaining two week spat, the Commissioner of the NSW Fire Brigade (NSWFB), Greg Mullins belligerently blamed the Fire Brigade Employee Union’s (FBEU) current paperwork bans for the ongoing debacle. It wasn’t until the Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees intervened and found the State Debt Recovery Office at fault that the NSWFB pulled its collective head in. At the time the FBEU issued a directive to its members not to pay the fines. ‘It’s the Government fining itself, then spending a massive amount of

money to sort out that it doesn’t need to pay its own fines,’ FBEU secretary Simon Flynn told Sydney media. He said under the old system infringements were struck off by the brigade’s chief officer and the fines withdrawn, but that has now changed. Mr Flynn said traffic fines had been sent to individual firefighter’s homes forcing them to prove they were on their way to emergencies. Mr Flynn said at one stage frustrated firefighters were considering obeying the road rules on the way to emergencies. ‘What that would have meant was fire engines leaving fire stations on their way to a house on fire and pulling up at each set of red traffic lights, which is a ludicrous situation,’ he said.n

THE LAMP JUNE 2008 9

OU L U FAB

TS AVAILABLE NOW R I H S T IGN A P M S CA

BE PART OF THE 2008 NSWNA CAMPAIGN FOR FAIR PAY AND CONDITIONS It’s going to be a tough campaign. To win we need members to get involved. Show your support for the NSWNA pay and conditions claim by wearing the new campaign shirt. You can order your shirt individually or through a bulk order from your workplace. All we need is a cheque or credit card details and a delivery address. 10 THE LAMP JUNE 2008 Authorised by Brett Holmes, General Secretary, NSWNA

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PRICE: $10 EACH plus postage & handling $5 PLEASE SEND ME:

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PLEASE RETURN TO CAMPAIGNS TEAM: MAIL: NSWNA, PO Box 40, Camperdown NSW 1450 • EMAIL: gginty@nswnurses.asn.au • FAX: (02) 9550-3667

N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

Photo courtesy of Moe Aung Tin/The Irrawaddy

Burma Cyclone Relief Appeal

s Mental Health Nurses Forum 20 June, RPA Hospital, 1 day The annual Mental Health Forum focus this year is ‘Advanced Practice’. The keynote speaker is Associate Professor Andrew Cashin, president of the Australian Nurse Practitioners’ Association. Some of the presenters will be Nurse Practitioners (NP) in areas such as Adolescent Mental Health and Liaison Psychiatry. It will also inform participants in how advanced practice can improve outcomes for consumers, improve services and enable mental health nurses to develop professionally. Members $30 • Non-members $50

Homeless Burmese huddle under makeshift shelters in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.

CTU President Sharan Burrow has called on all Australians to donate to the disaster relief in Burma through Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA. ‘[Cyclone Nargis] is a humanitarian disaster on an unimaginable scale and we are working in unison with our sister agency, Norwegian People’s Aid, and other grassroots organisations on the ground to assist the people of Burma,’ she said. The people of Burma are in desperate need of clean water, food, shelter and medical aid. Most of the support has come from the monks of Burma who are sheltering as many people in their monasteries as they can. Donations by Australians to Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA will go directly to the Rangoon office of the Norwegian People’s Aid, which is well placed to get

s Basic Computer Skills for Nurses 16 June, Concord, 1 day This one day course will familiarise novice participants with the personal computer (PC) and associated components. General overview of Windows operating system and practical experience navigating the windows environment using keyboard and mouse, launch and switch between applications, and gain an understanding of computer file storage. Suitable for all nurses. Members $85 • Non-members $170

aid past the repressive military Junta to the people in most need. Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA has a close relationship with both Norwegian People’s Aid and the National Council of Unions in Burma and is resolute that aid will go to the people who most need it. The aid effort will be channelled through these agencies with a mixture of cash funding, technical expertise and equipment. Union Aid Abroad has a history of implementing effective humanitarian programs, including responding to largescale natural disasters in South East Asia. Cheques can be made out to: Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA and posted to: Level 3, 377-383 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000 or donate by phoning 1800 888 674. Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad (APHEDA) was created in 1984 as the overseas aid agency of the ACTU.n

s Appropriate Workplace Behaviour 25 June, Camperdown, 1 day Topics covered include why bullying occurs; anti-discrimination law and NSW Health policies; how to behave appropriately in the workplace; identifying unlawful harassment and bullying; what to do if subjected to unlawful harassment and bullying; how to use workplace grievance procedures; identifying, preventing and resolving bullying. Members $85 • Non-members $170 s Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses 27 June, Port Macquarie, ½ day Topics covered include the Nurses and Midwives Act 1991, potential liability, documentation, role of disciplinary tribunals including the NMB, writing statements. Members $39 • Non-members $85

TO REGISTER or for more information go to www.nswnurses.asn.au or11ring THE LAMP JUNE 2008 Carolyn Kulling on 1300 367 962

C O V E R S T O R Y

NSW Government fails nurses g Three months after presenting our claim for improved pay and conditions for public health nurses and midwives to NSW Health, and 20 working days before the expiry of our current agreement, NSW nurses are still waiting for an offer from the NSW Government.

s The Lamp went to press, over 200 NSWNA delegates have told the Government that the three-month delay in starting talks for improved pay and conditions shows bad faith towards nurses and midwives of the public health system. Delegates gave the Government until 2 June to come up with an offer that is acceptable to members. NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes slammed the Government for their failure to present nurses with a reasonable offer. ‘Despite reports about nursing shortages, the ever-increasing pressure on the public health system, and evidence given 12 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

to the Garling Inquiry, this Government is placing NSW residents at risk by effectively encouraging nurses and midwives to leave the system. ‘It’s appalling,’ he said. ‘The feedback I have from nurses and midwives is they have had a gutful and they want to send a strong message to the Government.’ The Iemma Government had previously indicated that all public sector wage increases were to be limited to 2.5% unless there were significant ‘employee-related cost savings to pay for additional increases over 2.5%’. The 2.5% figure purports to match inflation, bizarrely calculated as an average of the Sydney inflation rate over the past 11 years.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show inflation running at 4.2% to the year ending 31 March, 2008. The ABS predicts inflation to remain high for 2008 and then gradually reduce to around 2.75% by the end of 2010.

Backpay is threatened Brett Holmes says the Government’s wages policy also threatens that backpay will not be made on the first pay increase of an agreement unless there is a new agreement in place. ‘The employer is responsible for the delay in negotiations. We expect backpay to be made to 1 July when there is an eventual settlement,’ he said.

‘There is a lack of recognition’ ‘The Government seems to have been busy with more important issues than us. If they neglect people in the public health system it will be to their regret. ‘The 2.5% doesn’t reflect the skills we bring into the job every day. I’ve had midwives looking at jobs at Aldi’s for $25 an hour because it is more attractive. ‘What is concerning nurses and midwives in the Hunter is the continuing push from the Government and the New England AHS about rostering. ‘This could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Lots of nurses and midwives are ready to walk. People are very angry. There is a lack of recognition. People want to be rewarded in their wages.’

Signing a petition, delegates send a strong message to NSW Government: (from left) Carolyn Hook NUM Prince of Wales, Roseann Slattery-Quinn CNS Cowra District Hospital, Ann Conning RN Gosford Hospital.

Catherine Whelan, Midwife, John Hunter Hospital

‘Come to the table or we walk’ ‘I’m tired, Mr Iemma. Give me a reason to stay. I have spent years working excessive hours, short staffed, working unpaid overtime.

Brett says all the indications are from the six meetings held to date with the employer that an eventual offer will be considerably less than the 5% claim served by nurses. Ultimately, Brett says, the Treasury will have a significant say in what the offer is. ‘At the ALP Conference, Treasurer Michael Costa ran roughshod over his own party over the privatisation of electricity. He will have no qualms about doing it to us either. ‘We are making plans for when the offer is made. As soon as we get the offer members will have it by email and post. The next step will be to have it considered by members at branch meetings, probably in mid-June. ‘Realistically, it will take members’ resolve to achieve an acceptable offer from this Government,’ he said. ‘We will need commitment, discipline and precision if we are to get a fair outcome.’n

‘In a normal week I’d do 10-12 unpaid hours. My official hours are 8 to 4. I’m there most days by 7 am and I’m lucky to leave by 6 pm. ‘Morris Iemma is somebody who has been a health minister so he should be aware of the concerns of his health workforce. If he doesn’t come to the table he should expect us to walk either individually or collectively. ‘Among my peers, at least 50% are at the upper end of the age spectrum and have been to see their financial adviser about accessing super and getting out. If we walk that corporate knowledge walks with us.’ Chris Druce, NUM ED, Bathurst Base Hospital THE LAMP JUNE 2008 13

C O V E R S T O R Y

PETROL1: 0 18.9%

FOOD1: 0 5.7%

IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS JOSIE’S EXPENSES HAVE RISEN:

HOUSING1: 0 7.1%

2.5% won’t touch the sides

reasurer Michael Costa says a 2.5% pay increase will keep pace with inflation. ‘With my costs of living increasing more than 6% over the past year, 2.5% will send me backwards,’ said Josie Byrne, RN at Ryde Community Mental Health Centre and mum of Sam, 1, and Matilda, 3. ‘My child care costs alone have risen more than 15%,’ she said. ‘We’ve cut all non-essential expenses and we’re still struggling. We don’t go out, we rarely have take away and we haven’t had a family holiday in ages. We have nothing else to trim,’ said Josie.n 1

Source: the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

14 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

EFFICIENCIES DELIVERED BY NURSES AND MIDWIVES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS c Staffed 1,226 additional acute sector beds and community care equivalent services between 2005-2007. This figure will rise to more than 1,800 additional beds and community care equivalents by June 2008. c Treated 2.28 million patients that present to emergency departments. This is an 8.8% increase (June 06-07). c Dramatically reduced over 12 months elective surgery waiting list from over 10,000 to under 200 in December 2007.

c Dramatically reduced the urgent surgery waiting list from more than 5,000 in January 2005 to 114 in December 2007. c Contributed to NSW hospitals meeting national benchmarks for emergency department performance in every triage category for the first time ever. c Delivered new and more efficient methods of emergency care treatment such as fast track zones, ‘triage and treat’ and short stay units in emergency departments. c Consistently improved off stretcher time. c Assisted with a major increase in births.

‘The NSW Government doesn’t support nurses’ ‘The Government needs to sit up and listen. The health system is in a mess and we are holding it together. ‘I do unpaid overtime every day. The shifts don’t allow handover properly. Hard work and dedication keeps you there. ‘2.5%. No thank you. Even 5% is the minimum. We’ve had a high turnover recently. People are always looking for other ways to earn a living. They think the NSW Government doesn’t support nurses. ‘It’s about time we had an increase in night duty and we shouldn’t settle for anything less than 25%. It’s very taxing on families. We are the lowest paid state for night duty. We should be on a par with others.’ Lyn Sloane, RN ED, Bathurst Base Hospital.

CHILDCARE: 0 15%

WHAT YOU

CAN DO c Regularly visit the NSWNA website – www.nswnurses.asn.au – for updates on the campaign. c Ask friends and family to sign the ‘Save Our Nurses’ petition. c Write a letter to your local State Labor MP. c Contact talkback radio and your local paper to raise the profile of the campaign and seek support. c Contact your workplace NSWNA Branch Officials and offer to help distribute information. c If you want information fast, make sure the Association office has your mobile number and email address – email these to gensec@ nswnurses.asn.au with your full name and membership number.

‘If our wages go backwards, we will leave’ ‘The feedback I get from other nurses is that they want the 25% penalty for night duty. For a working family, that would help. As a mum I’m visiting the supermarket every week. The price of bread and milk is going up. I’m always looking for specials, going for no frills brands. ‘With the increases the Government is flagging we’ll go backwards. Inflation is over 4%. Nurses will leave. They wouldn’t go on with the workloads, the increased acuity of the patients, the stress. ‘There’s a whole lot of us ready to retire, looking at the benefits of retiring rather than the benefits of staying. Nurses cannot sustain a cut in real wages. ‘I think the NSWNA got it right at 5%. It’s achievable for the Government. It’s not exorbitant.’ Gai Pickering, Nurse Educator, St George Hospital

THE LAMP JUNE 2008 15

C O V E R S T O R Y

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: NSW nurses light the way; NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes prepares to address the vigil; Joanne Mawson, Wendy Machin and Janine Issa, from the Kirketon Road Centre at Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital; NSWNA Organiser Michael Sharp and RPA midwife Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Bray Smith. 16 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

Nurses, Our shining light g In a moving dawn vigil on International Nurses Day, nurses gathered to commemorate the heroine of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, and the commitment of nurses across NSW – a dedication that deserves reward and recognition through fair pay and conditions.

s dawn broke over Martin Place on International Nurses Day on 12 May, nurses from all over NSW gathered in a moving vigil to remember Florence Nightingale, the woman who inspired modern nursing. Like Nightingale herself, today’s nurses demonstrate the same selfless

dedication and commitment to their patients – a dedication that deserves reward and recognition through fair pay and conditions, said NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes to the assembled crowd. ‘This special day is a chance to recall and celebrate the magnificent contribution hundreds of thousands of nurses have made to NSW over the years, and the importance

THE EDITH CAVELL TRUST Scholarships for the academic year

2009

Applications for the Edith Cavell Trust Scholarships are now being accepted for 2009. Members or Associate Members of the NSWNA or the Australian Nursing Federation (NSW Branch) are invited to apply.

• an accredited nursing conference or seminar relevant to applicant’s clinical practice.

Applicants should meet one of the following criteria:

• attend full-time, relevant post-basic studies at an approved institution for a period or periods of more than six months;

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;

of nursing to our personal and social wellbeing – both now and in the future. ‘In hospitals, health facilities, community health, disability and aged care settings throughout the state, nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide care for the sick, injured and elderly. That is, again, something to celebrate,’ said Brett.n

3. Properly constituted nursing organisations, faculties or schools of nursing or registered or enrolled nurses wishing to:

• undertake an academically approved research program in the theory and practice of nursing work;

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

• conduct or fund a relevant professional or clinical nursing educational program.

Tel: Mrs Glen Ginty, 1300 367 962 Email: gginty@nswnurses.asn.au Web: www.nswnurses.asn.au

Applicants must be currently registered or

Applications close 5pm on 31 July 2008 THE LAMP JUNE 2008 17

Deidre Kelly, recovery EN at John Hunter Hospital, wears her ‘24/7’ campaign ‘badge of honour’ with pride – 24/7!

C O V E R S T O R Y

Nurses campaign for fair pay

t’s three months since the NSWNA lodged its claim for improved pay and conditions for public health system nurses and midwives and we are still waiting for an offer from the State Government.

Across NSW nurses and midwives have been active sending a resounding message to Mr Iemma that they are determined to maintain the fight for improved pay and conditions. It’s a simple message, Mr Iemma: Fair Conditions. Fair pay. Nurses Stay.

TAKE A WALK IN THEIR SHOES g The evidence is in – many NSW nurses are run off their feet.

ew data collected by the NSWNA shows that many NSW nurses are run off their feet at work, with some walking up to 10 kilometres a day. As part of the Fair Conditions. Fair Pay. Nurses Stay. It’s that Simple campaign, NSWNA members at a number of NSW hospitals recently wore pedometers for five days during working hours to highlight how much walking they do at work. Orthopaedic CNC Suzanne McNeill from John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle said she was staggered by the results. ‘I knew we did a lot of walking but I didn’t realise quite how much. I raised the point with Commissioner Garling recently that with so many “outlying” beds at John Hunter we spend a lot of nonproductive hours walking to and from patients,’ she said.

‘One of my patients is almost a kilometre away.’ NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes said while figures varied from facility to facility, they showed that many nurses are covering a lot of kilometres a day just to get their job done. ‘For example, the participating nurses at Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital and Wagga Wagga have walked more than 600,000 kilometres during their careers to date, or 15 times around the world at the equator. The seven John Hunter nurses have walked 1.16 million, or 29 times round the world,’ said Brett. ‘Some individual nurses in general wards walked more than 40kms during the week. One even did more than 60kms. ‘There is no doubt many nurses are run off their feet just keeping the health system going. To retain these nurses the State Government must properly reward nurses for the hard work they do and address key issues such as pay rates for experienced nurses and fair pay rates for working night shift as raised in the NSWNA claim for the next public hospital nurses’ wages and conditions agreement.’n

Nurses helping care for children! As a professional in the nursing ﬁeld you have the knowledge and skills needed to provide care. You can utilise these skills as a foster carer whilst continuing in your career. Your commitment can range from caring for a child one weekend a month through to permanent care. For more information please call Centacare on 8709 9333 or visit www.fosterkids.com.au Suzanne McNeill Centracare.indd 18 THE LAMP JUNE12008

13/7/07 12:44:48 PM

Your retirement planners

Better super = Better retirement? Do your numbers add up? TAKING THE WORD TO THE WORKPLACE

Tamworth nurses from Amity Aged Care gather to consolidate support for Campaign 08 on the Tablelands: (from left) Caroline McLaughlin AiN, Karen Grzazek AiN, Joan McMillan AiN and Margaret Le-Cornu AiN.

If you are planning to retire in the next one to two years, ask yourself these questions:

• Do you know how the Better Super changes will affect your plans? • Are you maximising your defined benefit superannuation? • How are you going to replace your pay packet in retirement?

Need answers? With more than 17 years experience providing Local branch member Paul Widseth CNC gets into the spirit of the campaign by ordering t-shirts for nurses at John Hunter Hospital.

retirement planning advice to NSW public sector employees, we can help you with answers and the decision support you need.

Call State Super Financial Services today on 1800 620 305 or visit our website www.ssfs.com.au to find out how we can help you plan your retirement.

Nurses at Sydney Children’s Hospital brandishing Pay Campaign badges and fact sheets take a moment from their schedules to support Campaign 08: (left to right) Yolanda Miceli RN, Jane Farrell CNS, Donna Sumner RN, Geraldine Moore RN, Libbi Lum Nurse Manager and (rear) John Watt NUM

This information is of a general nature only, is not comprehensive and is not specific to your personal circumstances or needs. State Super Financial Services Australia Limited ABN 86 003 742 756 AFS Licence 238430 (TL 11/07)

THE LAMP JUNE 2008 19

FIJIAN HOLIDAY You and a friend could be jetting off from Sydney return on Air Paciﬁc to Denarau Island in Fiji for 3 luxurious nights at the Radisson Resort Fiji. After your relaxing 3 days in a Paciﬁc Lagoon Guest Room, you and your guest will then enjoy a Blue Lagoon Cruise aboard MV Mystique Princess for a 4-day, 3 night Gold Club Cruise. All onboard meals, cruise entertainment and shore excursions are included in this exciting prize. HURRY! Call the Association now for a recruitment kit and recruitment incentive scheme details. Ph: 8595 1234 (metropolitan area) or 1300 367 962 (non metropolitan area) or go to www.nswnurses.asn.au

20 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

TRIP FIJI CL DRAW 30 JOSED 200UNE 8

Shop till you

Drop! For every friend or colleague you sign up, you will receive a $20 David Jones or Coles Group & Myer Gift Card and go into the draw for a fantastic holiday for 2 to Fiji.

C O V E R S T O R Y

Cyberspace beams support for nurses g Moving tributes and deep concerns on saveournurses.com.au

he NSWNA has not only taken our public health system pay and conditions campaign into the lounge rooms of the state via our TV campaign. We have also set up our stall in cyberspace with a special campaign website – www.saveournurses. com.au – and a dedicated page on the social networking website Facebook. NSWNA Assistant Secretary Judith Kiejda said she was overwhelmed by the response from the community and nurses on the web.

‘So many people have made a significant effort to log on to these websites to show their support for our campaign. It is very moving to read the experiences of both nurses and the public

We have also set up our stall in cyberspace with a special campaign website. and the deep mutual respect they have for each other and the serious concerns everyone holds about our public health system,’ she said. ‘Morris Iemma and everyone else in the State Government should take note and act.’n

CHANGE YOUR WORLD

WHAT YOU CAN DO ONLINE TO BUILD OUR CAMPAIGN The NSWNA has three web initiatives in play to help us build our campaign:

www.saveournurses.com.au you can post your own message of support for the campaign. There is a ‘Send to a Friend’ function on the site, which allows you to let other people know about the site and encourage them to participate. There is also a clip of our TV ad that you can play.

Facebook the NSWNA has created a campaign information group on Facebook. If you are a Facebook user join the group by searching for Fair Conditions, Fair Pay, Nurses Stay, It’s that Simple in the groups application – or go to www.facebook.com/group. php?gid=24057856064 and invite your friends to join our campaign.

www.nswnurses.asn.au the NSWNA’s main website has the latest information including media releases, campaign news and resources. You can also join the union online!

AND HAVE SOME FUN Kate Lee, a NSWNA Bargaining Campaign Officer, set up a campaign information group on Facebook to tap into the burgeoning online social network and make it work in the interests of NSW nurses and midwives.

NSWNA Bargaining Campaign Officer, Kate Lee

‘Our presence on Facebook allows a younger audience, who interact differently to other parts of our membership, to get involved.’ she said. ‘There is a space for discussion. They can put up photos of themselves involved in campaign activities. They can share experiences – what it is like in their workplace and how they can change it. They can tell others, forward information and get them involved.’ Kate said the response had been fantastic. As The Lamp went to press there were 3,000 supporters, joining at the rate of 100 per day. There is now a competition with weekly prizes for the best photo of a campaign activity.

THE LAMP JUNE 2008 21

C O V E R S T O R Y

p e t s n i s e s r u n d n a y t i n u m Com

m suppor t fro f o s e g a s s me en dated with ere had be n h u t , in t n in e r e p b o e nt t u has he Lamp w rses.com.a T u n s r A u . o s e e v iv a idw g w w w.s ur s e s a n d m n W S N f o conditions

My wife gave birth three weeks ago at the Royal Hospital for Women and she had quite a tough time. I can’t praise the nurses and midwives enough for the care and attention they gave her. I was quite embarrassed that I probably earn three or four times their salary for doing nothing more than making a rich bank a little richer, while they are making a real difference to peoples’ lives and not being rewarded for it. Aaron

I have always been proud to call myself a nurse and cannot imagine doing any other job. But, 10 years in, and I’m feeling the pinch. Working full-time, raising small children, paying the mortgage and child care – the list could go on. Add to this the knowledge that we are not being paid appropriately for our dedication and commitment to our profession and it really hurts. Melissa Murphy

I am a Registered Nurse working out of the profession. I miss it so much, but considering the hours, conditions and pay, I cannot go back to it, which makes me very sad. It is the only job I ever wanted to do. Therese Cooper

As a senior RN I have never seen so many colleagues thinking about leaving the public health system. At a time when the demands on us are increasing, it would make a lot of sense to give us a wage and conditions that reﬂect the dedication and professionalism that nurses maintain 24/7. Peter Rothberg

22 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

The basic question that needs to be addressed is that no-one wants to be a nurse anymore. And why would they? Who wants to work that hard, under continally increasing levels of stress, in a labouring system for so little reward. Susan Latham

s n o i t i d n o c d n a y over pa d the pay an e v o r p im to : r campaign u o r had to say fo c le li p b o u e p p e e h t m hat so nurses and s. Here’s w t s o p 0 6 ,2 1 more than

Having previously worked as a junior doctor in our hospital system I have witnessed the hard work of our nurses and how under-rewarded they are. I have seen many good nurses leave the system out of frustration. Our Government needs to do all it can to hold on to nurses. They also need more support staff to free them up to do what they have been trained to do. Suzy Haddad

I think our society preys on the goodwill of its more altruistic members, but we can only get away with short changing nurses for so long before we start to feel the effects ourselves. Federal Labor take note, reforming the health system should start with our nurses. Thom Robertson

From my experience nurses are the living face of Australia’s health system and do a brilliant job. The entire health ediﬁce would crumble without them. They are overworked and underpaid and it is to Australia’s shame as a wealthy nation that this situation exists. Nurses deserve our respect and they deserve our support. Colin Wotherspoon

I work as a night radiographer in the NSW public system. I see the pressure that nurses in the public system face every night, not just with having to deal clinically with emergency situations, but also having to put up with abuse by aggressive patients, their friends and families. Denis Khan I cannot tell you how strongly I feel about the nurses and the unfair way they are treated. They should be put up on a pedestal, with all the hard, selﬂess work they do. They deserve so much more, and it is about time that we do something about it. M. Newman THE LAMP JUNE 2008 23

I N D U S T R I A L

I S S U E S

Bans aim to stop Emergency mayhem g Staff assaulted as ED fills with psychiatric patients

eeling from five assaults on staff in 10 days, nurses at the Prince of Wales Hospital (POWH) emergency department declared ‘enough is enough’. No longer would they allow aggressive, psychotic patients to be routinely housed in ED for long periods, because of the desperate shortage of mental health beds. The situation posed a constant threat to the physical safety and emotional health of patients and staff, nurses said. They voted unanimously to impose work bans until management acknowledged the seriousness of the problem and did something about it. After several days the work bans and media publicity appeared to be getting results. As this edition of The Lamp went to press, South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service and the NSW Nurses’ 24 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

Association were negotiating new ways to manage the surge in mental health patients. ‘Our members feel confident that things will improve. They feel they’ve got a bit of control over the situation now, instead of having problems foisted on them, with no consultation,’ said Mary-Louise White, a clinical nurse consultant and president of the NSWNA branch at the hospital. ‘High level talks are going on and we have had fantastic support from the Association.’ Mary-Louise said nurses had received ‘wonderful support’ from NSWNA representatives who came on site to consult with members and help resolve this long-running problem. The branch and Association had been seeking a fulltime security presence in ED as long as five years ago, but to no avail. The issue came to a head after more than 70 mentally ill patients presented to ED in a 10-day period. Sixty one of these

were scheduled and some were stuck in ED for more than four days. With no available mental health beds, and all ED resuscitation beds occupied by psychiatric patients, aggravated patients had attacked several nurses. Two were struck in the head. Mary-Louise said psychiatric patients in ED often had to be chemically and physically restrained. ‘When you’re in a busy ED and you’ve got a sick elderly patient in one bed and a young drug affected or psychotic patient in the next bed screaming and abusing staff that he wants to murder them all, it’s quite frightening and unfair for patients and staff to have to cope with all this extra stress.’ A meeting of NSWNA members in ED declared that management’s inaction had severely compromised nurses’ duty of care to patients. The health service had known about specific problems at POWH

Photo courtesy of Erin Byrne/Courier News

UNANIMOUS VOTE

FOR WORK BANS Bans imposed by a unanimous vote of emergency department nurses at Prince of Wales Hospital included: c Refusing to do overtime shifts which are being excessively used by management to deal with the situation in the ED. c All scheduled mental health patients to have their own individual nurse (a special), who is appropriately mental health qualified or skilled. Two ED beds will be closed for each scheduled mental health patient who does not have such an arrangement. c Closing two ED beds for each mental health patient who remains in the ED longer than eight hours, irrespective of whether or not they have a ‘special’. c The senior nurse in charge of ED to activate a Code Yellow (when the ED has lost operational capacity and cannot take any more ambulances, etc) at his/ her discretion.

Standing firm on nurse and patient safety: POW branch members (foreground right) Merrilyn Lambert RN, (from left) Ann Kelly CNC, Vivien Mcmannus RN, Catherine Lim CNC, Deborah Tracy CNS, Kelly Thompson RN, Charlotte Reed RN, Attor Aspizu RN, Miguel Videl RN, Amy Fenton RN, Kylie Howes RN, Gemma Hartman RN.

for 10 days yet had failed to act on nurses’ requests for action to reduce safety risks. The meeting called for: c Security officers to be immediately stationed in ED until the department’s senior nurse manager is satisfied that the risk to staff and patients has been effectively reduced. c An alternative location outside of ED for aggressive, psychotic patients be identified immediately. c Length of stay for mental health patients to be capped at eight hours. c Patients to be transferred to the hospital’s Psychiatric Emergency Care Centre (PECC) whilst awaiting mental health beds. c Commitment from management that all specials (one-on-one nursing for a given patient) will be provided and no ED staff will be asked to do overtime as a result of the mental health load. c A three-step escalation policy to go

into operation when the ED is over census with mental health patients. Following the branch meeting, NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes described the proposals as ‘perfectly reasonable and sensible in order to maintain patient and staff safety.’ Brett said ED nurses should not be required to look after mental health patients for days on end. ‘Short term assessment of patients is one thing, [but] long-term containment or nursing of mental health patients in emergency departments is unacceptable,’ he said. After five days of work bans, Brett was able to report a changed approach from hospital and Area senior management. ‘They now appear as committed to solving this problem as the nurses are,’ he said. ‘Hospital and Area management are now working closely with nursing and medical staff to try to improve escalation

c Closing two ED beds for each mental health patient who has been allocated a bed in another unit, but not transferred within one hour of the allocation. c Calling in the Visiting Medical Officer psychiatrist if the psychiatric registrar does not respond to the ED within two hours.

policies and the clinical appropriateness of the placement of mental health patients. ‘However, should there be any backsliding on management commitments to resolve this problem, then the issue will flare again.’ He said there was clearly a need for more mental health beds in NSW and across Australia. ‘This mess at POWH is not unique. For a number of social and public policy reasons our hospitals are dealing with increasing numbers of mental health patients and they are struggling to cope. ‘This is not good for the mentally ill, who need special care. It is not good for hospital staff and it is certainly not good for other members of the public who need, and have a legitimate right to expect, that our hospitals can respond to their various illnesses and injuries without all this drama and violence.’ 2Continued on page 26 THE LAMP JUNE 2008 25

I N D U S T R I A L

I S S U E S

Bans aim to stop Emergency mayhem Mary-Louise White said it was important that nurses had voted unanimously to back the imposition of work bans. ‘When it came to crunch time we needed everyone to stand up and be counted, and we had no weak links,’ she said. She also welcomed the fact that senior management had not tried to intimidate nurses who were upholding work bans. ‘We have now got 24-hour security in place and we are confident that it won’t be removed, that it’s not just a sweetener that will be pulled away from us when things have settled down. ‘There is now a level of communication between the executive of the psychiatric department and the general medical team within ED. We hope to have a lot more control over mental health beds in our hospital to properly care for the mentally ill patients who enter our ED.’ Mary-Louise said a victory for nurses

26 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

EVERY STAFF MEMBER ASSAULTED

From page 25

‘When it came to crunch time we needed everyone to stand up and be counted, and we had no weak links.’ President of the NSWNA Prince of Wales Hospital branch, Mary-Louise White

at POWH would benefit emergency departments around the State. ‘They will see our win and know it’s do-able for them too.’n

very staff member at Prince of Wales emergency department had been physically assaulted by a patient at one time or another, the hospital’s ED director Dr Sally McCarthy told the Garling inquiry into acute care services. Dr McCarthy, who is vice president of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine, also told the inquiry there has been an 80% increase in mental health patients presenting to the ED since 2002. She said many incidents of assault are not reported because staff do not have time. She said the emergency department was not a suitable environment for mental health patients. Despite this, on every day of the last year more than four of the department’s 12 beds were occupied by mental health patients. Meanwhile the Australian Medical Association has called for all emergency departments to have a specialist drug liaison officer for methamphetamine users who, an AMA spokesperson said, were increasingly presenting in an extremely aggressive state.

Concord security under scrutiny

urses are monitoring security arrangements at Concord Hospital’s new mental health centre, which incorporates services and staff from the former Rozelle Hospital. Rozelle staff who transferred to Concord on 30 April had been raising concerns for several months about security at the new 174 bed facility – especially the distance between Concord’s security office and the mental health centre. The issue of security was dramatised in March when a Rozelle patient fatally stabbed another patient. When the NSW Nurses’ Association branch at Rozelle voted not to assist with the transfer to Concord until security concerns were addressed, the South West Sydney Area Health Service took the issue to the NSW Industrial Commission. Under an interim settlement agreed

with Commissioner McLeay, NSWNA officials and management representatives are jointly monitoring security arrangements at Concord. An additional security officer has been employed and guards are making hourly rounds of the mental health centre. The NSWNA branch secretary at Concord’s mental health centre, Distan Bach, said nurses needed assurance that security would respond quickly to any emergency. ‘Security staff at Rozelle were able to respond quickly to the stabbing death at Rozelle, securing the building and making sure staff and other patients were safe,’ Distan said. ‘Such an extreme event reminded members of the importance of security and I think that was a catalyst for our decision not to cooperate with the move to Concord unless our concerns were taken seriously.

NSWNA branch secretary at Concord’s mental health centre, Distan Bach

‘It’s good that the administration has finally agreed to work together with us to sort it out. ‘We now have a better understanding of how security officers will patrol the area, and we are gathering information to report back to members.’n

THE LAMP JUNE 2008 27

A tax cut on the way? When money seems so easy to spend and so difﬁcult to save, have you stopped to think about how you could make better use of your pay?

First State Super has ﬂexible contribution options to suit most people.

An idea from First State Super

Flexible options: making contributions before tax (salary sacriﬁce), after tax, for themselves and their spouse.

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Consider sending all or part of the Federal Government’s 1 July 2008 tax cuts or a pay rise into your First State Super account? Using tax cuts or a pay rise to top up your super is a hassle-free way to save regularly.

Our members have access to:

Do you earn $58,980 pa. or less? If you are eligible and make personal after tax super contributions, the Federal Government will match your contribution. This could be up to $1,500 a year! Visit www.ato.gov.au/super for more information on the co-contribution.

Pay less income tax and earn more money – sounds like a good idea! A pay rise and the taxman A pay rise may push a person over into the next income tax bracket. One way to reduce tax is to make salary sacriﬁce (before tax) contributions to super. Doing this will reduce assessable income. Speak to your employer about setting up a salary sacriﬁce arrangement.

Not sure of the tax brackets? See below:

If you would like to make contributions to First State Super, contact us today: N

Visit the web: www.ﬁrststatesuper.com.au

Call Customer Service: 1300 650 873

Email us: enquiries@ﬁrststatesuper.com.au

Fax us: 1300 722 072

Tax rate

$0 – $6,000

$6,001 to $30,000

15%

$30,001 to $75,000*

30%

$75,001 to $150,000*

40%

$150,001 +*

45%

Disclaimer: Please consider the First State Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) having regard to your own situation before deciding whether to become a member or continue membership. A copy is available by calling us or visiting our website. The information contained in this document is current as at May 2008. Prepared by FSS Trustee Corporation (FTC) ACN 118 202 672, AFSL 293340, RSE L0002127, the trustee of First State Superannuation Scheme RSE R1005134.

Source: Australian Taxation Ofﬁce *The Federal Government has proposed to increase the threshold amounts from 1 July 2008.

www.ﬁrststatesuper.com.au 28 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

TAX CUT 05/08

Taxable income 2007/2008

Don’t delay!

I N D U S T R I A L

I S S U E S

Critical nurse shortages at Wagga Wagga g IR Commission demands urgent action to address nurse shortages

he NSW Industrial Relations Commission held an urgent conference in Sydney last month to discuss solutions to the nurse shortage at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital (WWBH) after NSWNA members threatened work bans in response to the excessive workloads. The Commission demanded that the Reasonable Workloads Committee at WWBH meet weekly to monitor and respond to the critical shortage of nurses at the hospital. The regional hospital has more than 200 beds and 348 full-time equivalent (FTE) nursing positions of which 14% (50FTE) are currently vacant. There are currently 30 vacancies due to nurses on leave not being replaced, and another 20 FTE permanent vacancies have no nurse employed in the role at all. From late May, the ICU roster alone was 80 shifts short. NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda said local branch members and the Area Organiser for Greater Southern Area Health Service (GSAHS)

were continuing to work closely with the WWBH executive to develop strategies to deal with the shortage. ‘The hospital has taken on all our suggestions but if the situation gets any worse it will have to make some difficult decisions such as making beds unavailable and reducing elective surgery,’ said Judith. ‘Meanwhile WWBH is advertising in the major newspapers and media outlets to recruit more staff and we’re all looking at options such as transferring patients

‘The Federal Budget indicates that further funding has been made available to develop GP Clinics attached to public hospitals, which may go some way toward keeping the pressure off emergency departments – to have such an initiative at Wagga would assist the hospital to manage less acute patients more effectively. ‘These are the things the Federal Government needs to look at. The present waitingtime for a GP in

‘The hospital has taken on all our suggestions but if the situation gets any worse it will have to make some difficult decisions such as making beds unavailable and reducing elective surgery.’ NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda to the private hospital, recruiting agency staff, redeploying staff from other areas of the hospital and working with the local council to develop some initiatives and incentives to attract nurses to come and work at the hospital.

Wagga Wagga is two to three weeks and this is putting enormous pressure on the ED.’n

Work bans at Grafton

ightshift nurses at Grafton Base Hospital have minimised the entry of non-clinical data, following the continued refusal of the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) to appoint a night-time clerk. NSWNA Branch Secretary Jasmine Brown said it was not industrial action at this stage but a strategy implemented in consultation with the hospital executive to maintain clinical standards and patient safety while negotiations continue. ‘We acknowledge the minimising of data-entry by night nursing staff will increase the workload of clerical staff during the day but nurses feel strongly that their core business is to deliver safe and efficient health care,’ said Jasmine. The branch has requested an extra

night-time clerk and an RN in the ED as part of its Reasonable Workloads Submission. So far the Area has only offered to divert night-time phone calls from the ED and supply an extra EN. Due to circumstances unique to Grafton ED, night duty nurses can often end up working alone. ‘No nurse should have to practice in isolation – enrolled nurses during morning and evening shifts do not staff the resuscitation area or triage in the ED and it is not acceptable that they be put in this position on night shift,’ Jasmine said. Negotiations between the NCAHS and the NSWNA Grafton branch have been slowed by the Area Executive’s continued requests for extra data. According to branch president Gwen Simpson, nurses are already overworked

and are struggling to complete the information requests during work hours, as required under the award.

‘No nurse should have to practice in isolation ... it is not acceptable that they be put in this position on night shift.’ ‘Nurses are having to compile the data in their own time after long night shifts and in some cases the Area is asking for data that is simply not kept,’ she said.n THE LAMP JUNE 2008 29

Simply better ward beds at every step of the way

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For more information on these ward beds and our full range of hospital beds, trolleys and ward furniture please visit: www.medicrafthill-rom.com.au or call 02 9569 0255 30 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

A G E N D A

Spotlight on health at 2020 g There were some interesting and innovative ideas about health raised at Kevin Rudd’s 2020 Summit but workforce issues and the way health is funded remain key problems to be addressed. Images courtesy of the Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

2020 Summit health co-chair, Professor Michael Good: ’There was an enormous amount of goodwill and collaboration.

TOP HEALTH IDEAS FROM THE 2020 SUMMIT c

Create a national preventative health agency funded by taxes on products with a high social cost, such as alcohol, cigarettes and junk food.

Create a healthbook (like Facebook) for Australians to take greater ownership of their health information and electronically share it with people they trust – their doctor, nurse or family members.

Introduce health literacy programs such as universal first aid training eg. all Australian kids would have done First Aid, trained by volunteers.

Establish a Health Equalities Commission with a focus on Indigenous and other disadvantaged communities.

Set up a health ASEAN – a collaborative regional group to focus on emerging infectious diseases like bird flu.

Rethink the shape of the medical workforce – creating a selfsufficient and flexible medical workforce with competencebased training for accreditation.

he Australia 2020 Summit was ‘designed to harness the best ideas from across the nation and apply them to the challenges before us, to create a better Australia for all of us,’ said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. With this in mind, health, with its recurrent crises and unmet challenges, was an important stream of discussion. The importance of healthy lifestyles, health promotion and disease prevention were recurring themes raised at the summit, according to Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary of the ANF. Ged said she was impressed by the energy, goodwill and sense of hope that permeated the Summit. ‘A whole new dialogue seems to have opened up in Australia, which was missing for more than a decade. Nurses have a greater opportunity to influence health policy and more effectively advocate on behalf of patients in this climate,’ she said. Ged said there was a clear understanding from participants at the summit that nurses carry the system

and there is a need to move the focus away from an illness model towards a multidisciplinary model. ‘While no promises were made at the summit, I was really pleased to be part of a discussion around breaking down legislative and professional barriers to advancing the role of nurse practitioners, and other health professionals, as an essential part of workforce reform,’ she said. ‘Removing barriers to allow nurse practitioners to be able to access the PBS and order diagnostic procedures is not rocket science. It is just plain common sense. Not only will it greatly improve health care delivery, it will also provide a more attractive career path and greater job satisfaction for nurses.’ Ged said that while the summit was very worthwhile and there was a real desire for constructive change, there were some key pieces in the health jigsaw that were outside the brief of the summit. ‘Workforce shortages and the way health is funded remain fundamental problems that need to be addressed if we are to fix our health system,’ she said.n THE LAMP JUNE 2008 31

KNOWING YOUR

SUPER

Not so super for women g A shorter time in the workforce and lower wages means many women reach the end of their working lives with inadequate retirement savings.

uperannuation is not a retirement issue. It is a workplace issue. According to Dr Diana Olsberg, Director of University of NSW Research Centre on Ageing and Retirement, women generally have inadequate retirement savings because Australia’s system of occupation-linked superannuation disadvantages female employees and women who are not in the paid workforce. ‘Women’s working patterns, their lifelong earnings and their capacity to accumulate sufficient retirement savings are crucially compromised by interruptions to paid employment due to child-bearing, child-rearing and other family responsibilities,’ she said. Women’s superannuation is directly connected to their lifetime income in the paid workforce.

BARGAINING FOR BETTER SUPER he NSWNA is pushing for an increase in employer superannuation contributions of 1% for each year in the new Award wages and conditions claim for the public health system. Currently, a growing number of nurses receive only a 9% employer contribution. This is insufficient to fund an adequate retirement for those on average or part-time incomes. NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes said including an increase in the employer super contribution is the start of a longer union campaign to address the inadequacy of nurses’ retirement incomes. ‘Nurses deserve a dignified and

Women can expect to live longer than men and take time out of the workforce with carer responsibilities. They have more than six years, on average, out of the workforce to raise children and are more likely than men to work part-time. On average, working women earn 13% less than men. Women need more super to support a longer life. But women have less money in their superannuation accounts. On average, women retire from the paid workforce with about half as much money as men.

TIPS TO BOOST YOUR SUPER c

Find lost super – especially if you have done casual or part-time work. You may have little pots of money in several accounts. AUSfund offers a free lost Super Search service. You can visit AUSfund on www.unclaimedsuper.com. au and do a search online.

Consolidate your super accounts and keep up to date with your address to prevent them becoming lost.

Top up your super savings if you can afford it.Tax concessions and government benefits make super an excellent way to save for retirement.

Get interested in super. For example, industry super sites such as HESTA (www.hesta.com.au) have super calculators on their websites so you can work out how much retirement income you will have at your current savings rate or by adding more.

Avoid illegal schemes to access your money early. Sometimes people facing immediate financial trouble are lured into early access schemes only to be ripped off by extortionate fees and face a big tax bill at the end of it.

32 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

secure retirement,’ he said. ‘We are concerned that nurses will not be able to accumulate sufficient savings to enable them to have an appropriate income in retirement. ‘We support increasing the level of compulsory contributions to 15% so that nurses have a decent retirement income. ‘We intend to play our part and make it a bargaining issue.’ Under the Howard Government’s WorkChoices, this part of the claim would not have been possible as super was not an ‘allowable matter’. The new Rudd Government has flagged that increases in super will be possible as it modernises awards.

Research conducted by the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) shows Australians will need at least $25,109 (couples) or $17,873 (singles)

C O M P E T I T I O N

each year in retirement to achieve a modest lifestyle. This lifestyle would allow for basics only. According to this research, most people need to be saving 12% to 15% of their wages over a 30-year working life to achieve adequate savings. One in six men aged between 35 to 44 years have more than $100,000 in their super, only one in 12 women has more than $100,000 and the average balance for a woman is $43,300, compared to $78,700 for men. The balances for those aged between 55 and 64 are $94,700 for women and $183,600 for men. (source: ASFA) The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission issued a report last year (It’s About Time: Women, Men, Work and Family) highlighting, among other things, that half of all women aged 45 to 60 have less than $8,000 in super. For women currently in retirement, compulsory superannuation has come too late and for them an adequate and secure pension is the highest priority. ‘Older women currently comprise 60.8% of age pension recipients and most are dependent upon government pensions for most of their income,’ said Diana Olsberg.n

PROTECT THE PENSION AND BUILD COMMUNITY SERVICES uperannuation is credited by many financial experts as being the greatest brake on widening inequality over the past decade. But according to Rhonda Galbally, founder and CEO of Our Community, it is not enough to give all our older Australians a secure and dignified retirement. ‘Super is a very good idea but the Government has to look at the whole of government policy for older people: income security, affordability of housing, community facilities and support, and health services,’ she said. ‘The danger of super is the Government says ”thanks very much”. Retirement can still be a miserable lifestyle for some people – not because of money but because of poorer community facilities.’ Rhonda said we need to do other things to cater for an older population like providing a better physical environment and reducing loneliness. ‘50% of people have a mild disability at age 60. By 80 this climbs to 82%. We can improve the lives of the aged by improving things like building standards. For example, if a building has more than one story there has to be a lift. ‘If people have access to facilities like a bowling club it leads to better health and lower levels of depression and alienation.’ Retention of the aged pension as a safety net for all Australians is also important for a secure retirement, especially for those who haven’t been able to accumulate enough super. Groups such as Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia and the Industry Funds Forum advocate a pension that entitles those without selffunded retirement incomes to receive target minimum retirement incomes.

HUN BT M R DREDS OF NURSES WEA HY WIN A PAIR AND FIND OUT W Sick of tired legs and aching feet?

PUT THE BOUNCE BACK IN YOUR LIFE As worn by celebrities on the Great Walk to Beijing including Olivia Newton-John. MBT made the 236km journey comfortable. How many kms do you walk a week? With MBT’s unique, curved sole and soft-heel sensor, each step will take you towards better posture. MBT footwear are classed by the TGA as a Class 1 medical device.

ACTIVATE YOUR WHOLE BODY MBT shoes are proven to: c Reduce backache c Improve posture and gait c Strengthen core muscles c Lessen the shock to joints c Tone and shape your body. The Lamp has five pairs of these amazing therapeutic shoes valued at $369 a pair to give away to five lucky members. To enter the MBT giveaway, write your name, address, and membership number on the back of an envelope and post to: MBT Competition PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 Competition closes 30 June 2008

For more information on MBT physiological footwear contact

47 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia’s first MBT Centre of Excellence Podiatrists on site p: (02) 9262 6899 f: (02) 9262 4150 e: getfit@healthandimage.com.au www.healthandimage.com.au

Annalise Braakensiek wearing MBT on the Great Walk to Beijing THE LAMP JUNE 2008 33

Q & A

THIS MONTH NSWNA ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY JUDITH KIEJDA

ASK

JUDITH

ADDRESSES QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKLOADS AND THE FLU SEASON. JUDITH SAYS IT IS CRITICAL WE DON’T RISK SPREADING COLDS AND FLU TO COLLEAGUES AND PATIENTS. THERE ARE STRICT GUIDELINES ON WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE ILL AND IT’S TIMELY TO REVIEW THESE.

Winter calls for care when you’re sick As nurses and midwives working in the health system, how should we respond to the dilemma of staying at work if infected with cold or flu or staying at home and reducing the risk of spreading to our colleagues and those in our care?

It is critical in health workplaces that all workers take precautions not to spread infectious diseases. The costs of ‘soldiering on’ because you don’t want to let colleagues down can be very high. When should I stay home?

Public health information issued by the NSW Health Department in December 2007 states: ‘Flu symptoms … may include sudden onset of fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose and severe tiredness. Don’t spread it around! If you get symptoms of influenza stay at home until you are better.’ The Minister for Health, Reba Meagher reinforced this in public health advice earlier this year: ‘[Influenza] can quickly spread from person to person when infected persons cough or sneeze … people can help stop the spread of the disease … if you get the flu, stay at home and keep away from crowded places.’

What is my employer’s policy on staying at home if I have a potentially infectious illness?

All public sector staff are covered by the NSW Health Department Code of Conduct which states: ‘Staff must abide by all occupational health and safety policies and safe working procedures and take reasonable care for the health and safety of people at their place of work and who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.’ What is my role as a Manager with sick staff?

Nurse managers have responsibilities too. The Health Department’s sick leave management policy states: ‘Where supervisors/managers are concerned that a staff member’s illness or injury poses a risk to the health of safety of the staff member or others at the workplace, they must take appropriate action.’ Area Health Services have strict policies too

Some Areas have additional policies and instructions that you should follow. For example: South Eastern Sydney Illawarra: Staff members are eligible for sick leave when they risk further impairment to his/her health by reporting for duty” or “would … under the advice of a

registered medical practitioner, jeopardise the health, well-being of safety of others by his/her presence in the workplace, for example by exposing other staff to a communicable disease. Hunter New England: Line managers are responsible for ‘… assessing the potential risk to patients/clients, where a staff member has an illness that may be passed on to others or an injury that may affect the safety of others’, and ‘directing a staff member to proceed on sick leave where it has been identified that the staff member remaining at work poses a risk to the health and safety of patients/ clients and/or staff members.’ North Coast: Where an employee has an illness that may be passed on to others (particularly in areas such as direct patient care or food preparation), or an injury that may affect the safety of others, the employee should stay away from work until no longer posing a risk to the health or safety of others. Greater Southern: Where a staff member has an illness that may be passed on to others [they should] remain away from work until no longer posing a risk to the health or safety of others. Sydney South West: ‘…if an employee has an illness that could be passed to, or an injury that could affect the safety of others, the employee may be directed to remain away from work until the risk no longer exists.’

‘Spring with the Kids’ Paediatric Perioperative Seminar 6 September 2008, The Sebel Hotel, Parramatta For further information contact Vanessa Ezzy, Nurse Educator Email: vanessae@chw.edu.au Tel: (02) 9845 2112 or Tel: (02) 9845 0000 (page: 6958)

34 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

What if my illness is hospital-acquired?

If you have a hospital-acquired illness you may be eligible for workers’ compensation rather than having to use your sick leave entitlement. You can phone the Association for more information.

Can we close beds when we’re short-staffed? I am a nurse working in the public hospital system. I have turned up to work and found out we are shortstaffed again. It seems we never have enough staff and the beds are always full. If there are not enough nurses to work the shift can I close beds?

Nurses employed under the current Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award are legally entitled to a reasonable workload under Clause 53, Reasonable Workloads for Nurses. This means that your employer must provide you with reasonable workloads. There are several steps which must be followed: c You need to talk to your NUM (or immediate nursing supervisor) to

find out whether absent staff are going to be replaced; c Notify your workloads committee representative; c A workplace representative should liase with the workloads committee chair to organise an extraordinary meeting to deal with the issue. In the meantime the following process should be followed: c Proceed to discharge any patients who are ready to be discharged; c Advise nursing management that no other patients can be accepted into the unit until the staffing situation has been appropriately addressed; c Prioritise patient care as appropriate whilst the staffing situation is being addressed. It is the responsibility of management to provide safe staffing levels with appropriate skill mix for patient care and a reasonable workload for nurses carrying out that care. It is their responsibility to ensure patient flow does not negatively impact on either nurses’ workloads or safe patient care.

Can the hospital open beds without putting on more staff? I am a nurse working in the public hospital system. We have been told beds will be opened because of a recent Government announcement but we have been told we won’t get more staff. Can they do this?

No they can’t open beds without additional nursing staff. Nurses are employed under the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award and you are entitled to reasonable workloads. It is clear that without additional staffing, beds can not be opened. A commitment was given to the Association that this will not occur. There are several things you should do: c You need to talk to your NUM (or immediate nursing supervisor); c Notify your workloads committee representative; c A work place representative should liase with the workloads committee chair to organise an extraordinary meeting to deal with the issue. If management insist on opening the beds anyway contact your Branch and the Association.n

A New Beginning Join us as we welcome our new Mater Mothers’ Hospital in June 2008 Job code: 08NM19

www.mater.org.au New Facilities New Models of Care New Opportunities

The Mater Mothers’ Public and Private Hospitals Brisbane manage over 8,000 births and 2,000 neonatal admissions each year, including at least 120 neonatal retrievals and 400 back transfers. With a major redevelopment project at final stages, and an anticipated increase in the number of births to 10,000 per year, this is an exciting time to join our growing team. The world-class hospital, due to open in South Brisbane on 4 June 2008, will be the premier maternity facility in the southern hemisphere. At Mater Health Services we aim to provide our staff with the highest standard of professional and personal support offering flexibility and conditions not readily available elsewhere. With an integrated Practice Development and Education team in place to ensure an optimal learning environment exists, Midwives and Neonatal Nurses have access to a range of exciting career development opportunities. To find out more please visit our website at www.mater.org.au or contact our Recruitment team on +61 7 3163 8511, or via email recruitment@mater.org.au

THE LAMP JUNE 2008 35

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY

Photo courtesy of Muswellbrook Chronicle

Nurses from Muswellbrook Hospital celebrated the International Day of the Midwife by unveiling a hand-made quilt ‘Shades of Motherhood’, representing their understandings of midwifery.

he theme for this year’s International Nurses Day, Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Primary Health Care, was celebrated with gusto across NSW last month as nurses turned out in force to support their peers and their profession. Our spies across the state reported rampant frivolity on a scale not seen since, well, the last International Nurses Day, as nurses engaged in everything from bed races to lunchtime banquets. While nurses might be struggling

36 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

to have their voices heard in Macquarie Street, such was not the case out in the real world as local communities took the opportunity to thank their primary care givers – with stories of appreciation and gratitude from leaders and ordinary folk appearing in most regional and metropolitan newspapers.n 2 Taking a moment out from a busy day at Deniliquin Hospital to acknowledge International Nurses Day: first-year nursing student Ashleigh Smith (left), standing with Francine Wade, Wendy Pearce and Robbie Smith (front), who have 90 years of nursing expertise between them.

Photo courtesy of Deniliquin Pastoral Times

The day of the Nightingale spirit

EN Carole Morris was nearly struck speechless after winning the inaugural ‘Nursing Excellence Award‘ at Coledale Hospital’s International Nurses Day luncheon. Carol was presented with an MP3 player from the Members Equity Bank.

0 Nurses at North Shore Private Hospital put in a great effort for International Nurses Day supplying pizzas and cupcakes for all the staff and free massages from the physio dept. Each ward voted for an ‘outstanding nurse’ in their area. Pictured is North Shore’s clinical director Sue Engele presenting Pete Lowe with an award for his work in the Cardiac Cath. Lab while Sarina Klages and Maggie Gent (both in scrubs) look on. 2A special commendation goes to Goulburn Base Hospital’s Nightingale look-alike Liz Simpson – looking great for 188 Liz! – sitting with fellow winners (clockwise from left: Kym Whykes, Margaret Nicholls, Kristy Wilson, Donna Calleja, Lisa Best, Tracy Lewis and Yvonne Pope.

THE LAMP JUNE 2008 37

Photo courtesy of Mudgee Guardian

Nurses at Mudgee Hospital received high praise on International Nurses Day including a special commendation from the local community health council and a big thankyou from Nursing Services Manager Gwenda Ingram who praised the team’s professionalism under difficult circumstances.

L I F E S T Y L E

Unfinished Sky g A gripping drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat and tugs at your heart. Top entertainment, says Elizabeth Joyce.

Review by Elizabeth Joyce, RN, Shoalhaven District Hospital The Lamp’s rating

frightened woman appears on the property of a reclusive Queensland farmer. Neither can speak the other’s language. Both are hiding from something. As their trust and affection for one another grows, secrets are revealed which could endanger them both. This Australian film is 90 minutes of top entertainment; a gripping mixture of drama and relationship development. Written and directed by Peter Duncan, Unfinished Sky also touches on darker issues that resonate in our society. Farmer John Woldring (William McInnes) discovers a troubled woman miles from home, injured and unable to speak English. Somewhat reluctantly, John restores Tahmeena (Monic Hendrickx) to health, slowly gaining her trust and learning more about her past, whilst coming to terms with his own. Still grieving the loss of his own wife, John has all but given up – withdrawing deep into the familiar routine of life on the family farm. He is strong, but remote. Tahmeena’s sudden arrival reawakens John, jolting him into a world he does not yet fully understand. When John begins to suspect the owner of a local pub is connected to Tahmeena’s earlier assault, he makes a decision to keep her whereabouts hidden until he can help her to safety. Set against the rural beauty of south east Queensland, Unfinished Sky is a superbly layered drama, with a surprising, emotional and thrilling climax that keeps you on the edge of your seat and tugs at your heart. My husband, Ken and I really enjoyed it. We felt like Margaret Pomerance and David Strattan and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. It’s a really good film and, even better, it’s Australian – a must see.n Unfinished Sky opens on 19 June.

GIVEAWAY The Lamp has 25 double passes to give away to see Unfinished Sky and 5 DVD packs of 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama. To enter, email lamp@nswnurses.asn.au with your name, address, contact number and membership number. First entries win! 38 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

Our reviewers & tipsters receive a delightful ABC Classics CD – for uplifting enjoyment! Gifts so good, you won’t want to give them away. There is an ABC Shop near you. For locations visit abcshop.com.au or call 1300 360 111. Ask about our rewards program.

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama g An interesting travelogue and polemic on religion and politics.

his film is difficult to describe in terms of genre. Therein lays its charm, and its difficulty. The title somewhat belies its content. If you think listening to the Dalai Lama’s answer to 10 questions packaged as a film sounds appealing, then this film will probably disappoint. However, as a broad-ranging travelogue and polemic on religion and politics, the film works well. It is especially topical due to the current dramas surrounding the Olympic Torch relay, and also the upcoming visit of the Dalai Lama to Australia in June. The content of the film spans the historical context of the Tibetan struggle for self-determination, with wonderful archival footage of the young Dalai Lama during his early years of exile. It also covers the basic origins of the Buddhist religion against the gorgeous backdrop of the landscape and people of Tibet and India. This was all interesting and well edited. On the negative side, the American writer, director and narrator of the film, Rick Ray, has fallen into the trap of thinking that the viewer will be as interested in him as they are in the Dalai Lama. After waiting for half the film’s screening time for the question and answer session with the Dalai Lama to begin, it was irritating to have Ray give himself almost equal screen time as that given to the Dalai Lama. The answers to the questions he posed to the Dalai Lama are so heavily edited, I felt a less heavy-handed film maker could have done this segment more justice. 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama could find a potentially large audience within the ranks of nurses. Nurses, in general, are simultaneously the kindest hearted yet most legitimately cynical people you could ever hope to meet. The Dalai Lama’s constant teaching of kindness and tolerance in the face of the overwhelming cynicism of our times still manages to shine through in this small film and left me feeling a bit more hopeful for the world.n

HOW GOOD

o o o o o o o

Great service Low fees Excellent investment returns Good value insurance Investment choice Proﬁts go to members Extra beneﬁts for members

For quality super contact HIP:

1300 654 099 hipsuper.com.au

The Lamp’s rating

Review by Cheryl Thompson, RN, Tweed Heads Hospital

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama is available from 5 June, RRP: $29.95

This information from Health Industry Plan is general only. It is not specific to your personal financial situation, objectives or needs. Get the facts from www.hipsuper.com.au or talk to a financial advisor before making any super decisions. The Trustee of HIP is Private Hospitals Superannuation Pty Ltd ABN 59 006 792 749, AFSL 247063. THE LAMP JUNE 2008 39

N O T I C E

WARNING! 33 workplaces without local branch representation

he NSWNA workplace branches listed here no longer operate because they did not hold or complete their 2008 elections. Under the Rules of the Association members of these former branches may apply to the Council of the Association to belong to another branch. However, not having a branch at your workplace limits your local representation and power. A branch gives you a voice at work. It gives you authority to meet, discuss and negotiate with your management under the umbrella of, and with the full backing of, the NSW Nurses’ Association. A branch is the source of collective power for large issues such as inadequate staffing, hospital closures, occupational health and safety issues. Branches also take up local individual issues for members and are a source of advice and support close at hand. Most importantly, branches give every individual member a chance to influence state action at the bimonthly Committee of Delegates, and set the policy of the Association at the Association’s annual conference. Don’t go without – you may not

have a problem today but there’s always tomorrow and you need to be organised. Management is well organised with human resources departments, employer associations, and in the public sector, NSW Health, ready to step in. Not to mention the bevy of solicitors they can drum up at a moment’s notice.

The bottom line You have three choices: 1. Talk to nurses at the workplace and get support for the branch to be reformed. Then contact the NSWNA for help with the process; or 2. Write to the Council of the Association and request a transfer to another branch. This is possible under the rules but obviously does not give you as much influence if other workplaces are involved; or 3. Do nothing and hope you never need the support of your colleagues in taking a united stand. Remember, it’s always easier to pick off individuals than deal with a determined group of nurses and midwives! The choice is yours but think carefully, is there really a choice? Contact your NSWNA organiser to reform your branch – 8595 1234 (metro) and 1300 367 962 (non metro).n

Parents Without Partners .. is where you meet people and make friends - Membership open to single parents and singles - single grand parents welcome - 1,500 affordable functions a year - Something every day of the year - Regular parties, BBQs, dinners - Over 41 years of community service

Membership Inquiries contact our member volunteers after hours * City of Sydney, Eastern Subs, Inner West, Southern Suburbs, Sutherland, Cronulla, Menai and Southern area - 9554 3444 * Hills & Greater Western Subs, Carlingford, Parramatta, Holroyd, Penrith, Blacktown, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains - 9634 7502 * Macarthur, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Wollondilly, Picton, Mittagong, Camden - 4647 4477 * Northern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, North Shore, Hornsby, Brooklyn, Central Coast - 9411 1858

for single parents and singles www.PWP-NSW.org.au

BRANCHES NO LONGER EXISTING c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c

Albury & District Private Nursing Home Amity Grand at Dural Amity at Tumut Balmain Hospital Balranald District Nursing Home Brisbane Water Legacy Nursing Home Calvary Retirement Community Ryde Chesalon Nursing Home - Malabar Coffs Harbour Legacy Nursing Home Coffs Harbour Nursing Centre Crest Nursing Home David Berry Hospital Eric Calaway House Nursing Home GWAHS Eastern & Southern Cluster Senior Nurse Managers Hawkesbury Hospital and Community Health Holroyd Private Hospital James Milson Nursing Home Kyogle Memorial Hospital Laurieton Lakeside Aged Care Residences Lingard Private Hospital Marsden Centre Murwillumbah Nursing Home Narromine District Hospital Prince of Wales Private Hospital Scalabrini Village Bexley Shalom Nursing Home Shangria-La Nursing Home Strathlea Nursing Home Sydney Private Hospital Toronto Nursing Home Wesley Private Hospital Westmead Private Hospital Wingham Court Aged Care.

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O B I T U A R I E S

Drug and alcohol nurse ahead of her time MARGARET CLUFF (NÉE WATT) 15 November 1942 – 21 December 2007

argaret Cluff, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, suddenly passed away in December, after a highly successful nursing career that spanned more than 40 years. Born on the NSW North Coast and raised at Tumbulgum, Margaret was the eldest of six children. It was thought that Margaret entered into nursing after seeing her father suffer from a chronic illness requiring long periods of hospitalisation. Margaret commenced her psychiatric training at Macquarie Hospital at North Ryde in 1965, going on to work at Parramatta Psychiatric Hospital in 1968 and Wisteria House. Working under the medical directorship of Dr Stella Dalton at Wisteria in 1971, while drug and alcohol (D&A) research was in its initial stages, was the starting point of Margaret’s career. This partnership developed over many years and Margaret enjoyed the challenges of D&A. Of particular interest to Margaret were the younger people who were experimenting with opiates and then becoming addicted. She was concerned about the number of people admitted numerous times for detoxification of drugs, particularly opiates, and recognised early their long-term prospects ContinentalTravelNurse.ai 7/3/08 were limited due to relapse.

Margaret was also involved in the beginnings of the Wayback Committee, an organisation particularly concerned with the welfare of clients after discharge from hospital. Margaret’s belief in the methadone program and experience had shown her how dramatic an improvement could be made in people’s lives through this intervention. She continued her membership of the Wayback Committee. As NUM of the original Wisteria Community Health, then Parramatta Drug and Alcohol Service, Fleet Street and eventually Blacktown Methadone Clinic, Margaret provided a non-judgemental, client-focused service. Her ability to reach and empathise with the most chaotic clients, and continue to advocate for them, is what she was all about. Margaret treated each person she came across with respect and dignity. Her lateral thinking enabled decisions to be made after consideration of the impact for both the individual and the organisation. She supported the service throughout numerous changes and was an excellent source of information in relation to service provision. Margaret had acquired expert knowledge in relation to her role and the concept of Opioid Substitution Therapy service delivery. She was highly regarded and respected by anyone who had the opportunity to meet or work with her. 10:51:46 AM Margaret’s slight stature was no

indication of the determination and strong-will she possessed. She had her own unique way of approaching things – even in death Margaret seemed to do it her way. Retirement was never an option. Margaret dedicated her career to advocating the effectiveness of the methadone program and improving client outcomes within the field of D&A. Margaret, through her leadership skills and collaborative management style, developed a team of staff at Blacktown whose service provision is highly regarded throughout the area. Margaret was an excellent communicator, always concise and precise. Her willingness and ability to share knowledge will be sadly missed. During her career, she was a mentor to many professionals and instrumental in their continuing education. Through her ‘vision’ for the need to change, Margaret challenged mainstream views. She played an integral part in facilitating a change in treatment to meet the needs of opioid dependent people, which provided them the opportunity to change their lives. The SWAHS Drug and Alcohol network has lost a valuable resource with Margaret’s passing, her wealth of experience and knowledge is irreplaceable.n By Karen Scrivener, CNS, Blacktown Methadone Unit, SWAHS Drug and Alcohol Network

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Continental Travelnurse THE LAMP JUNE 2008 41

L I F E S T Y L E

WHERE TO GET THIS MONTH’S NEW RELEASES

Book me Real Nursing English (RNE) – A Western Healthcare Language and Communication Guide for Chinese Nurses by Craig Louey, Peking University Medical Press (available in Australia through Interculture Connect Pty. Ltd.), RRP $25.00 (+ postage and handling) : ISBN 978-7-81071-771-7 Real Nursing English is the first book written by an Australian healthcare professional on communication for Chinese doctors and nurses. It is a learning resource that would be an invaluable reference tool for anyone who needs to improve their language and communication skills to enable them to work in Australian healthcare.

Understanding Patient Safety by Robert M. Wachter MD, McGraw-Hill Professional, RRP $49:95 : ISBN 978-0-07148-277-6 Understanding Patient Safety aims to teach the key principles of patient safety to a diverse audience: physicians, nurses, pharmacists, other healthcare providers, quality and safety professionals, risk managers, hospital administrators, and others. This book is easy to read, with graphic

examples, integrative tables and graphics, take-home key points and smart design.

Mosby’s Pocket Guide to Cultural Health Assessment (4th edition) by Carolyn Erickson D’Avanzo, Mosby (available through Elsevier Australia), RRP $50.00 : ISBN 978-0-323-04834-7 Mosby’s Pocket Guide to Cultural Health Assessment is a guide that provides some basic information about people of the countries of our world, when and where you need it. This edition focuses on the potential variations a culturally diverse client may, or may not, exhibit and explains health care beliefs, eye contact and touch practices as well as birth and death rites and practices. Ethnic and race specific endemic diseases are categorised for each country.

Life in a Hospice: Reflections on Caring for the Dying by Ann Richardson, with a forward by Tony Benn, Radcliff Publishing (available through Elsevier Australia), RRP UK £19.95 : ISBN 978-1-84619-243-2 This inspirational book provides vivid, real-life

SPECIAL INTEREST TITLE

Life in His Hands: The True Story of a Neurosurgeon and a Pianist by Susan Wyndham, Picador Australia, RRP $32.95 : ISBN 978-1-4050-3837-9 ‘Charlie Teo is one of Australia’s most celebrated yet controversial neurosurgeons. His pioneering “keyhole” techniques have earned him praise around the world, but in his home country he is regarded by some in the profession as reckless and even dangerous. In 2001, at the age of 24, Aaron McMillan was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour. He underwent 12 hours of surgery. Two days later he was back playing the piano, preparing to record and perform. Life in His Hands is the remarkable true story of a medical maverick and one of his most high-profile and tragic cases. It is a book full of heartache and hope and scientific marvels. Ultimately, it is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.’ – Provided by publisher. This book is an uncorrected proof copy only held in library. 42 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

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 Reviews by NSWNA librarian, Jeannette Bromfield.

accounts of hospice life seen through the eyes of the managers, doctors, nurses, carers and support staff who work in them. The differences between hospice and hospital care are examined, as well as the many ways hospices strive to meet the needs of patients and their families with sensitivity and respect. Life in a Hospice is enlightening reading for all healthcare professionals in palliative care, including volunteer, administrative and support staff.

All-In-One Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity and Psychiatric Nursing Care Plans (2nd edition) by Pamela L. Swearingen, Mosby (available though Elsevier Australia), RRP $75.00 : ISBN 978-0-323-04416-5 This one-of-a-kind resource contains over 100 selected care plans for the four key clinical areas, medical-surgical, pediatric, maternity and psychiatric, that can be used throughout the entire curriculum. The latest NANDA nursing diagnosis, detailed rationales, lab values for pediatric and adult patients and desired outcomes featuring specific time frames, and the open and attractive two-colour design makes this the most student-friendly and clinically relevant nursing care planning book available.n

PUBLISHER’S WEBSITES • McGraw-Hill: www.mcgraw-hill.com.au • Elsevier Australia: www.elsevier.com.au • Picador Australia: www.panmacmillan.com.au/picador/ home.asp

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THE LAMP JUNE 2008 43

The way ahead… ACT Health offers fully funded Post-graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing in Canberra ACT Health through Mental Health ACT in association with La Trobe University, Bendigo Campus, have developed a program for Registered Nurses (RNs) interested in gaining post-graduate nursing qualifications. With 1 in 5 people experiencing a significant mental health issue in their lives and with as many as 25-30% of people admitted to general wards of hospitals having significant mental health problems, mental health nursing skills are in high demand. With an ever increasing need to respond to the full range of human emotions there has been a significant increase in the need for all nurses to be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective care and treatment. The Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing programme offered by Mental Health ACT is an excellent means by which RNs can build their knowledge and skills base in caring for people experiencing a range of mental health conditions. The programme is clinically based and provides RNs with the option of either part-time or full-time paid employment for 12 to 18 months in Canberra while they study through La Trobe University. During the programme, RNs rotate through the various services provided by Mental Health ACT, including crisis assessment, acute inpatient, rehabilitation, community adult, child and adolescent, and older persons as well as placement options with specialist teams such as eating disorders and forensic mental health. RNs are well supported with designated study days and mentoring by nurse educators, CNCs, and experienced senior RNs. As the Nation’s Capital, Canberra is an attractive city offering a culturally diverse lifestyle and employment opportunities in a stimulating environment. Canberra has excellent health facilities, recreational, sporting and community amenities, primary and secondary schools, and three Universities. Canberra is close to the NSW snowfields and the sandy beaches of the South Coast and is within ready driving distance to Sydney. It has all the benefits of a city while retaining its rural personality. It is an ideal place to educate and bring up a family with their long-term future in mind. A career with Mental Health ACT offers exceptional opportunities for personal and professional advancement. Special Features of the Mental Health Post Graduate Diploma Program Registered Nurses who undertake the programme are: • Paid while they study; • Guaranteed a scholarship to cover course fees; • Well supported as they learn how to provide appropriate care to people with a mental health problem; • Able to fast track their career; • Paid a qualification allowance on completion. If you are interested in finding out more about this programme, please contact Catherine Hungerford, Nursing Clinical Support Officer, Mental Health ACT, on catherine.hungerford@act.gov.au or (ph) 02 6205 3661. Applications close on the 9th June 2008. hmaA012523

44 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

N U R S I N G

O N L I N E

Health care solutions: physician assistants and nurse practitioners ddressing the skills shortage in the Australian health system requires a multidimensional strategy which includes short and long term measures. In NSW we have seen the development of the nurse practitioner role and the introduction of endorsed enrolled nurses. Another new role that is attracting growing attention in this country and which has potentially significant implications for nursing and midwifery is the physician assistant. Nurses and midwives should be aware of what is being proposed and prepare for a strong debate in defence of nurses’ and midwives’ roles.

Health workforce: a case for physician assistants? By Dr Rhonda Jolly Various attempts have been made to resolve the health workforce shortage problem in Australia. Since the mid 1990s, these have included the extensive use of the services of overseas trained doctors and nurses, resulting in what has been criticised as an over reliance on the services of overseas trained doctors. More recently, attempts have included substantial increases in student numbers for nursing, medicine and some allied health courses. However, there are structural pressures on demand and supply that increasing student numbers and importing health workers alone are not likely to address. As a result, like other developed nations, Australia has begun to examine the possibility of implementing new models of care and workforce practices into health planning ‘to accommodate and utilise the wider range of treatment possibilities’. This paper considers one such model that involves the introduction of a type of medical ‘assistant’, usually referred to as a physician assistant, who can supplement the services of doctors by undertaking

routine and less complex care at both primary and tertiary care levels. c www.aph.gov.au/Library/pubs/

RP/2007-08/08rp24.pdf

Physician assistants and nurse practitioners: the United States experience By Roderick S. Hooker In the United States, medical care has evolved to be a role shared between doctors and non-physician clinicians — physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). These non-physician clinicians were introduced in 1967 and provide services that overlap with the traditional roles of doctors. As of 2006, there are 110,000 clinically active PAs and NPs (comprising approximately one sixth of the US medical workforce). Approximately 11,200 new PAs and NPs graduate each year. PAs and NPs are well distributed throughout primary care and specialty care and are more likely than physicians to practise in rural areas and where vulnerable populations exist. The productivity of NPs and PAs, based on traditional doctor services, is comparable and the range of services approaches 90% of what primary care

physicians provide. The education time is approximately half that of a medical doctor and entry into the workforce is less restrictive. c www.mja.com.au/public/

issues/185_01_030706/ hoo10101_fm.html

The medical care practitioner: developing a physician assistant equivalent for the United Kingdom By Jim V. Parle, Nick M. Ross and William F. Doe Although the existing professional roles have served health care delivery well in the past, many factors, including changing demographics and working patterns, have generated new demands for a more flexible medical workforce to enhance the delivery of frontline clinical services. There is now preliminary evidence to suggest that the introduction of the medical care practitioner role (MCP), based on the proven North American PA model, may make a valuable contribution to clinical care in the NHS, and represents an effective strategy for increasing medical capacity without jeopardising quality. The MCP role offers the prospect of increased flexibility and stability in the medical workforce. Further studies are required to determine whether introducing MCPs in England will also enhance effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery. Several fundamental issues remain to be resolved, including regulation, registration and prescribing. The realisation of this new profession for the UK now awaits the outcome of the national consultation process.n c www.mja.com.au/public/

issues/185_01_030706/par10411_ fm.html THE LAMP JUNE 2008 45

Great legal advice for Nurses

Qualifications for PCAs and AINs

Maurice Blackburn are proud to be the lawyers for the New South Wales Nurses’ Association.

Certificate III and IV in Aged Care

Free legal advice#

Gain recognition for your skills and experience and meet current accreditation requirements. Our Certificate III in Aged Care is offered to PCAs and AINs by assessment – you could attain your qualification in just a few weeks, at a discounted rate.

Conditions apply

Call the Association information line on 1300 367 962

The program is open to individuals, and as a traineeship scheme to organisations. Graduates can then proceed to our Certificate IV in Aged Care course.

Maurice Blackburn has ofﬁces in: Sydney T (02) 9261 1488

Newcastle T (02) 4953 9500

New ofﬁces in: Parramatta T (02) 9806 7222

Canberra T (02) 6248 9122

Visiting Ofﬁces Camperdown T (02) 9261 1488

Wollongong T (02) 9261 1488

Call 1300 366 044 or visit www.adepttraining.com.au

Appointments for regional members can also be arranged. RTO provider number 90991

www.mauriceblackburn.com.au

2–4 June

Care of the neonate

5 June

Paediatric nursing: Child nutrition

DUBBO BURWOOD

12–13 June

Leadership skills

SHELLHARBOUR

16–20 June

Mental health for acute nurses

WAGGA WAGGA

16–17 June

Infant mental health

DUBBO

16 June

Team leadership skills

BURWOOD

18–19 June

First-line trauma management

BURWOOD

20 June

Shock: A comprehensive overview

BURWOOD

20 June

Stoma care: Management strategies

BURWOOD

26–27 June

Chronic disease self-management

TWEED HEADS

26–27 June

Midwifery practice

BURWOOD

The Colle

ge of Nursi

hours rs!! CPD hours!

Continuin Develop g Professiona l ment Ha ndbook JANUAR Y – JUN E 2008

¬#

46 THE LAMP JUNE 2008

LE G

4HE

P CPD hours! E¬O F¬ . U

CRoSSWoRD Test your knowledge in this month’s nursing crossword.

ACROSS

1. 5. 7.

Large muscle of the upper back (9) Back tooth (5) Muscular organ that sits on the pelvic floor (7) Overruns, infects (7) Where the ulna is found (3) Drainage tubes (9) Curve (3) When the body’s temperature drops below normal (11) Time after birth (9) Piece (3)

18. 20.

9. 11. 12. 14. 15.

21. 23. 25. 26. 27. 28.

Call or ring someone (9) Grease (3) Adolescent (7) Patella (7) Parts of the spine (5) Yelling (9)

DOWN

1. 2. 3. 4.

Bone of the leg (5) Person deficient in iron (7) Brain chemical (9) Sexually transmitted infection, abbrev (1.1.1.) Film (5)

A disease that doesn’t respond to antibiotics is said to be this (9) 8. Red blood cell, abbrev (1.1.1.) 10. Vision during sleep (5) 13. Sum, overall (5) 14. Removed a limb (9) 16. Infectious agents (9) 17. Lung disease (9) 19. Large organs of the abdomen (7) 20. The trachea divides into these (7) 22. Strategies, procedures (5) 24. Part of the mouth (3) Solution page 49 THE LAMP JUNE 2008 47

DIARY DATES Conferences, seminars, meetings SYDNEY, HUNTER & ILLAWARRA HIV, Sexual Health & Viral Hepatitis Course for Nurses 16–20 June, 8.30am–4.30pm, RNSH Cost: $550 / $250 for NSCCAH staff Contact: Carol Martin, 9926 7414 cmartin@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au ACAT Special Interest Group 19 June , 21 Aug, 16 Oct, and 4 Dec, Bankstown Hospital, 1–3pm Contact: Wendy Oliver, 9722 7300, Wendy.oliver@sswahs.nsw.gov.au Catheter Expertise 20 June, St George Leagues Club, Kogarah. Cost: $50 members, late fee $60, nonANCAN members $75. Register by 12 June. Contact: Rhonda Brownlow, 9534 2555, Rhonda.brownlow@sesiahs.health.nsw. gov.au or Cheryl Meade, 9570 1273, Cherylmeade@msn.com. Clinical Nurse Consultants’ Association Development Day 20 June, The Burwood RSL Club, with Geraldine Burton and other guest speakers Contact: CNCAN office, 9745 9614 or email cncan@nursing.aust.edu.au Prince of Wales Private Hospital Neurosurgery Conference 21 June, Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach Cost $99. Contact: Naomi Byrnes, 9650 4458, Naomi.Byrnes@healthscope.com.au Renal Society of Australasia (RSA) National Conference 26–28 June, Sydney Convention Centre Contact: anna.lee@sesiahs.health.nsw. gov.au, www.rsa2008.com ’Bones on the Beach’ Wollongong Orthopaedic Conference 5 July. Cost: $88 early bird. Contact: Fiona Roberts, 4222 5390, fiona.roberts@sesiahs.nsw.gov.au

lamp the

magazine of the NSW Nurses’

volume 64 no.8 September

Urology on the North Shore 23 July, 8.30am – 3pm, RNSH, St. Leonards Cost: $55 member and $95 non-member Closing date: 9 June Contact: Paula Macleod, 9926 8054 or email urological_nurses@hotmail.com Enrolled Nurse Professional Day 26 July, Wyong Hospital, 9am–3.30pm Contact: Jenny Sullivan, 0400 426 353/ Jolan Bogsanyi, 0419 487 822 by 18 July 63rd NSWNA Annual Conference 6–8 August, AJC Randwick Racecourse. Contact: NSWNA, 8595 1234 ATCA/TNA 2008 National Conference Bridging The Gap 8 August, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Contact: www.tna.asn.au Stroke 2008 Conference 13–15 August, Star City Contact: Hanna Ulkuniemi, 9437 9333, stroke2008@conferenceaction.com.au NSW Day Surgery Nurses’ Association 16 Aug, Four Points by Sheraton, Sydney. Contact: www.adsna.info 8th Rural Critical Care Conference 22–23 August, 9am – 5pm, Batemans Bay Soldiers Club. Cost: $330 (by 20 June) or $395 after. Contact: Jane Howorth, 6650 9800, info@eastcoastconferences.com.au For registration form, call 1300 368 783 go to www.ruralcriticalcare.asn.au Natural Therapies and Natural Health Expo 21–22 August, Wharf 8, Sydney Contact: info@naturaltherapyexpo.com.au/ www.naturaltherapyexpo.com.au Spring with the Kids Paediatric Perioperative Seminar 6 Sept, 9am–4pm, The Sebel Parramatta. Cost:$110 (incl. lunch). Contact: Vanessa Ezzy, 9845 2112, vanessae@chw.edu.au

Australian Asthma Conference 2008 20 October, Australian Technology Park Contact: 9265 5443 or email asthma2008@tourhosts.com.au Web: www.asthmaconference2008.com 2008 Discharge Planning Association ’Critical Actions‘ 24 October, Rydges Hotel, North Sydney. Contact: Margaret Blackwell, abacus@ abacusevents.com

INTERSTATE AND OVERSEAS 11th Case Management Society of Australia National Conference 12–13 June, Sofitel, Melbourne. Info: (03) 9658 2399/ cmsa@cmsa.org.au Cancer Nurses’ Society of Australia – 11th Winter Congress 12–14 June, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast Contact: (02) 9954 4400/ www.cnsa.org.au Public Health Assoc. of Australia, Population Health Congress 2008 A Global World: Practical Action for Health and Well Being 7–9 July, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Qld Contact: congress2008@confco.com.au/ www.populationhealthcongress.org.au

magazine of the NSW

volume 64 no.3 April

10th National Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses (CATSIN) 10–12 September, Mercure Grosvenor Hotel, Adelaide, SA. Contact: Susan Day, (02) 8850 8317

Lung Health Promotion Centre at The Alfred – upcoming courses • 24–25 July, Smoking Cessation Facilitators Course • 6 August, Asthma Management Update • 14–15 August, Principles & Practice of Spirometry

26th Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia (CRANA) 11–15 September, Cairns, Qld Contact: www.crana.org.au

2007

lamp magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association

volume 64 no.2 March 2007

SES

2,000 NUR

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Patricia Purcell Tel: (02) 8595 2139 • 0416 259 845 Email: ppurcell@nswnurses.asn.au

GIVING NURSES

A VOICE

48 THE LAMP JUNE 2008 The Lamp.indd 1

Community Health Nurses National Conference – Communities, connections and celebrations 28–30 August, Swan Valley, WA Contact: info@peppermint.com.au or visit www.peppermint.com.au

8th International Conference on Grief & Bereavement in Contemporary Society 15–18 July, The Sebel, Melbourne. Full registration: $850 Contact: (03) 9265 2100, conference@ grief.org.au, www.icgb08.com

Nurses’ Association

the

Australian Diabetes Educators Assoc. Annual Scientific Meeting 27–29 August, Melbourne Visit: www.adea.com.au/index.aspx

CAREX 2008 – Aged Care Expo. 9–10 July, Brisbane. Contact: Wayne Woff, (03) 9571 5606

lamp the

2008 Australian and New Zealand Cystic Fibrosis Nurses Conference ‘The Changing Face of Cystic Fibrosis’ 14-15 Aug, The Old Woolstore, Hobart. Contact: www.anzcfnurses2008.com

National Association of Childbirth Educators Inc (NACE) Educators epicure: Recipes for success 3–5 September, Melbourne. For abstracts/ sponsorship, contact: Melinda Eales, meales@tpg.com.au, www.nace.org.au

Association

2007

• 20–22 August & 17–18 September, Respiratory Nurse Course • 27–29 August, Introductory Course in Asthma Education • 30 August, Presenting and Educating with Confidence Contact: (03) 9076 2382 or email lunghealth@alfred.org.au

18/10/07 10:50:22 AM

Royal College of Nursing Australia Annual Conference 2008 25–27 September, Sheraton Perth, WA. Contact: (02) 6283 3400

Diary Dates Diary Dates is a free service for members. Please send the diary dates details, in the same format used here – event, date, venue, contact details, via email, fax, mail and the web before the 5th of the month prior, for example: 5th of August for September Lamp. Send information to: Editorial Enquiries Email: lamp@nswnurses.asn.au Fax: 9550 3667 PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450

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. Only Diary Dates with an advised date and contact person will be published. Diary Dates are also on the web – www.nswnurses.asn.au 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

Please double-check all information sent is correct. The Lamp cannot guarantee that the issue will always

If you’re having a reunion, send us some photos and any information from the night, and we’ll try to publish them.

34th Annual International Conference of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses 6–10 October, The Sebel, Melbourne. Info: AST Management, (07) 5528 2501

Social Events

Reunions Crown Street Women’s Hospital 40-Year Reunion – midwifery students March class 1968 (commenced 1967) 28 June, 12 noon. Contact: Jenny, 9418 1466 or Wendy, 9487 9450 Liverpool Hospital 50th birthday 26 July, 11:30am, Cabravale Diggers Exservicemens Club, Canley Vale Cost: $35. Contact: Margaret Favelle, 9605 1733 or email margfav@hotmail.com Prince Henry Hospital Little Bay 1964 July PTS 1 Aug. Venue: TBA. Contact: Maxine Cook, mcook@smbs.com.au/ Cherrylyn McCarthy, cmccarth@chcs.com.au Scott Memorial Hosp. Scone Reunion 4 Oct, 6.30 for 7pm start, Scone Bowling Club. Cost $25pp. RSVP by 12 Sept. Contact: Jan McPhee, 6545 1690/ Leigh Schalk, 6540 2100 Mater Hospital 30 & 40 Year Reunion 26 Oct. Venue: TBA. Contact: Christine Kirby (30-year reunion), 0414 550 419/ ckirby@ nswnurses.asn.au or Patricia Purcell (40-year reunion), 0416 259 845, patricia@ppms.net.au Sydney Hospital group 78/2 Seeking interest in 30 years reunion Contact: Carolyn Moir, 93461418, cmoir@bcs.org.au Prince Henry Hospital Training Class of October ’66 Seeking interest (Graduated March & June 1970) to attend October reunion Contact: Janis Montgomery née Coconis, 0423 179 974

Join The ’Fair Pay, Fair Conditions, Nurses Stay’ Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/group. php?gid=24057856064

Other notices Australian Smart Cards Summit 2008 3–5 June, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Web: www.acevents.com.au/cards2008 Nurses’ Christian Fellowship • Winter Dinner, 14 June, 6.30pm • Cultural Health Care, 18 July, 7pm, Macquarie Park. Contact: Diana, 9476 4440 • Conference ’The Light Still Shines in a Suffering World’, 14 November, 9am, St James Church Turramurra Contact: Margaret, 0407 110 538 4th National Centre for Ageing & Pastoral Studies (CAPS) Conference Ageing and Spirituality: a Diversity of Faiths and Cultures 17–20 Aug, Rydges Eagle Hawk Resort. Contact: caps@csu.edu.au or visit: www.centreforageing.org.au Monash University online survey on Australian health professionals’ attitudes towards suicide and self-harm behaviours Go to: www.med.monash.edu.au/ spppm/questionnaires/jgagnon before Sept 08. Contact: Jennifer Gagnon 0432 946 473, email caps@csu.edu.au or visit: www.centreforageing.org.au

Crossword solution

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST SOUGHT FOR

REMOTE AREA NURSES/ HEALTH CENTRE MANAGERS Department of Health and Community Services Central Australia Remote Health – Alice Springs Region Nurse 4 ($70,598-$75,846)+ Benefits. Free accommodation Nurse 5 ($77,742-$81,006)+ Benefits. Free accomodation Exciting Opportunities exist for Registered Nurses and Midwives to work in Central Australia and the Barkly area in the diverse and challenging field of Remote Area Nursing. We are seeking motivated, professional nurses from a variety of backgrounds to join some of our 25 community based health centre teams. Experienced Remote Area Nurses are also sought for upcoming vacancies as Health Centre Managers. Central Australian Remote Health provides comprehensive Primary Health Care Services through a dynamic multidisciplinary team approach that includes Nursing, Aboriginal Health Workers, Medical, Specialist and Allied Health services. The Health Centre teams range in size from 1 Remote Area Nurse to teams of 5 remote area nurses delivering health services which reflect: • Child Maternal and Women’s Health • Men’s Health • Acute Care Management • Chronic Disease Management • Program development • A Primary Health Care Context of educational, promotional and preventative activities. An induction program will be available on commencement of employment including access to Professional Development opportunities relevant to remote area practice. Applicants must have a genuine interest in Indigenous Health with a focus on Primary Health Care and are highly motivated, mature, flexible and adaptable.

ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED to the Nursing Coordinator, Central Australia Remote Health on 8951 7586 or email shella.hall@nt.gov.au or the Nursing and Midwifery Recruitment ofﬁcer THE LAMP JUNE 2008 49 FREECALL1800000648

BCS Orana Centre Central Coast BCS is one of Australia’s premier organisations in the provision of aged and community care services. BCS Orana Centre is seeking permanent part - time Registered Nurses. If you are currently in the aged care sector or in the acute sector and are interested in a move into aged care then please give us a call or e-mail and let’s arrange a time to meet and take a tour of our facility.

Registered Nurse (PPT / FT – Morning & afternoon shift) Essential criteria: • Current Registration and / or /current Aged Care experience • Demonstrated skills in the clinical assessment of older persons • Clinical Leadership Skills • Willingness to learn and develop new skill sets

All applicants must have: • A true empathy with the needs of the elderly • The ability to work as part of a team and unsupervised • Good communication skills • Ability to adhere to the Mission and Values of BCS If you are interested in a position with us please forward your application or e-mail: lmcintyre@bcs.org.au Written applications: LB McIntyre – BCS Orana Centre 193-201 Brisbane Water Drive Point Clare NSW 2250

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