The Lamp February 2006

magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association

L TS ON ITA GH TE SP RI DA HO AL 28 UP ATE QU IGN IV S’ E PA PR SE AM R C NU

lamp the

volume 63 no.1 February 2006

Print Post Approved: PP241437/00033

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2 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

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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

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Active and organised We win 14

News in brief

Agenda

8 8 9 9

33 Dr Death scandal reveals flawed system

9 9 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 13 13

Private patients dumped on public system Over budget and slow to pay Greater Southern a serious offender STOP PRESS Moran forces ENs to sign up as AINs Finally, James Hardie locked into $4.5 billion payout RPA launches own TV channel Earlybird program cuts depression, boosts breastfeeding Intruder ransacks ICU Free eye surgery for six million Volunteers needed for Pakistan Outreach nurses get security guards Plan to cut surgery deaths Decaying rural hospitals under fire The Australian Nursing Awards 2006 Pregnant worker wins discrimination case

Nurses in action 34 Behind the theatre doors as a perioperative nurse

Occupational health and safety 38 Clean hands can save lives

Tips from members 41 Jenelle and the whales

Lifestyle 42 Step aside Mary Poppins 45 Book me

Industrial issues

Regular columns

20 RNs $570 worse off under Howard’s ‘fair pay’ fiasco 21 Treasury concedes IR changes will lead to lower wages 22 NSW Government challenges Howard’s IR attack 23 Politicians feel online heat 25 Win for part-time nurses 28 Private hospital nurses’ campaign heats up

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Professional issues 26 NSWNA Education Calendar 2006

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26

Editorial

by Brett Holmes 6 Your letters to The Lamp 37 Ask Judith 47 Our nursing crossword 49 Diary dates

Competition 35 10 medical dictionaries to give away

Special offer 43 15 double passes to Keeping Mum

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The Lamp COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Noel Hester T 8595 2153 EDITORIAL For all editorial enquiries, letters and diary dates: Salim Barber T 8595 1219 E sbarber@nswnurses.asn.au M PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 PRODUCED BY Lodestar Communications T 9698 4511 PRESS RELEASES Send your press releases to: T 9550 3667 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au THE LAMP EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Brett Holmes, NSWNA General Secretary Judith Kiejda, NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Coral Levett, NSWNA President John Lyons, Coonabarabran District Hospital Jonathan Farry, RPA Hospital Mark Kearin, Wyong Hospital Roz Norman, Tamworth Base Hospital Stephen Metcalfe, Lismore Base Hospital Therese Riley, St George Hospital ADVERTISING Patricia Purcell T 8595 2139 or 0416 259 845 F 9550 3667 E ppurcell@nswnurses.asn.au RECORDS AND INFORMATION CENTRE - LIBRARY To find old articles in The Lamp, or to borrow from the NSWNA library’s nursing and health collection, contact: Jeannette Bromfield, RIC Coordinator T 8595 2175 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au General disclaimer The Lamp is the official magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association. Views expressed in articles are contributors’ own and not necessarily those of the NSW Nurses’ Association. Statements of fact are believed to be true, but no legal responsibility is accepted for them. All material appearing in The Lamp is covered by copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission. The NSW Nurses’ Association takes no responsibility for the advertising appearing herein and it does not necessarily endorse any products advertised.

Privacy Privacy statement: The NSWNA collects personal information from members in order to perform our role of representing their industrial and professional interests. We place great emphasis on maintaining and enhancing the privacy and security of your personal information. Personal information is protected under law and can only be released to someone else where the law requires or where you give permission. If you have concerns about your personal information please contact the NSWNA office. If you are still not satisfied that your privacy is being maintained you can contact the Privacy Commission.

Subscriptions Free to all Association members. Ex-members can subscribe to the magazine at a reduced rate of $44.

Individuals $60, Institutions $90, Overseas $100.

THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 3

NSWNA Direct Debit Campaign Travel Prize winner

NSWNA announces the new Direct Debit Campaign’s Travel Prize

(drawn 30 December 2005)

WIN a trip which includes Return flights for 2 (ex Sydney) to Cairns and cruising the Great Barrier Reef for 4 nights on the Captain Cook Cruises’ ship – the MV Reef Endeavour.

Congratulations Lisa Vanderhorst!

Lisa is a registered nurse working at St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Darlinghurst and is thrilled with her prize which consists of Airfares for 2 to London and a 12 day Trafalgar Tour of Europe. 2006 will be a huge year for Lisa who is getting married in February.

Thank you to all those who participated in this important campaign which has been so successful that, for the first time, the number of members paying their fees by payroll deductions, has fallen to below 50%.

Dr 30 awn J 200une 6

The MV Reef Endeavour is a stunning small ship, purpose built to negotiate the reef’s shallow bays and narrow passages where larger ships cannot go. It’s the ideal way to experience the Great Barrier Reef’s remote and exotic locations.

But this campaign continues.

For the future viability of your Union we still need to reduce the number of members paying by Payroll Deductions as quickly as possible.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN GET ONE OR MORE CHANCES TO WIN cancel your payroll deductions and start paying your fees through direct debit/auto credit and you will go in the lucky draw. convince your colleagues to convert from payroll deductions to direct debit/auto credit and you, and each of your colleagues who switch to direct debit/auto credit, will go in the lucky draw. sign up a new member using the direct debit/auto credit method of paying their fees and you, and the new member, will go in the 4 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 lucky draw.

Membership Application Forms or Direct Debit or Direct Credit 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.

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E D I T O R I A L

BY BRETT HOLMES GENERAL SECRETARY

Creative action works g When you are organised, prepared to act and are creative, you can win.

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006 promises to be a big year for unions and I’m proud as General Secretary to start it off by congratulating our members at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for their splendid intervention to ensure this important regional hospital has adequate air conditioning (see page 14).

The action by our members at John Hunter shows how effective nurses can be when, working through their union, they combine with the local community and media to achieve a significant win.

It is not just nurses who are the winners here but also patients and their families, other health workers and the wider community. And not just in Newcastle. People from all over Northern NSW are dependent on John Hunter for tertiary referral services.

Nurses at John Hunter have forced the state government to bring forward a timetable to provide air conditioning to alleviate the horrendous and dangerous conditions being experienced by patients and staff.

The battle is not over yet.

Interim measures are needed to provide the best possible working environment until an effective air conditioning system is implemented.

But our John Hunter branch has reminded us all, at a challenging moment in our history, of the fundamentals of unionism. When you are organised, prepared to act, are creative and you work with the community, you can win.

Spotlight now turns to private hospitals Nurses in private hospitals, who are the subject of pay talks between the NSWNA and their employers, will need to show

similar resolve and creativity to win what they deserve.

These talks are being conducted in a difficult environment with the Federal Government’s new laws expected to come into force in March. This leaves a short time frame to complete negotiations using the state system to cement future wage increases.

Two major employers, Ramsey and Healthscope, have already agreed to pay 3.5% to reduce the difference between public and private hospital wages. However, that still leaves private hospital nurses behind their public hospital colleagues.

Surveys we have conducted with our members tell us that this situation is unacceptable.

Our recent telephone survey of private members reinforced the union position that nurses in private hospitals (or, for that matter, in aged care) deserve to be paid the same rate as public hospital colleagues.

As The Lamp goes to print, the employers have rejected a large number of our claims. We and they are committed to ongoing talks but there is no guarantee employers will improve their offer.

On the eve of the introduction of the new federal legislation, this will leave private nurses in a difficult position if a satisfactory result is not reached.

We will need quick actions to get the message through to management about our level of commitment and concerns.

And decision making time on any final offer will need to be quick and responsive.

Our actions benefit not only our members but the wider community and we play an important role in keeping governments and management accountable.

Proof of our resilience and relevance The Howard Government’s new IR laws are putting at risk conditions that nurses have enjoyed for a long period of time.

But the John Hunter experience shows that even when there are legislative powers that disempower workers, there are still avenues to act.

The win at John Hunter also shows unions still have a significant role to play in our society. Our actions benefit not only our members but the wider community and we play an important role in keeping governments and management accountable. n THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 5

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L E T T E R S

LETTER of the month Emma Fisher

Private hospital nurses need to get union active

Girls party for breast cancer research

Like many nurses, I used to work in the public health system, with strong union involvement, before having a family and moving to a private hospital, where I was less involved with current issues.

Due to the many recent changes at my workplace, we decided to form a branch of the union. The support and help that we have received from the union has been amazing.

Too many times I had heard private hospital nurses say that the union only works for public hospital nurses. But this is far from the truth! Our branch has had fantastic support, with our organiser attending all our meetings, helping us to formulate resolutions and keeping us informed on all issues. Our staff have become more aware of their rights and have more power to negotiate because they have union backing and we have a large percentage of members at our hospital.

I urge all private hospital nurses to become involved with your branch, attend meetings and ensure that your fellow nurses are members. There has

Two nurses from Clarence Nursing Home and two of their friends were talking and decided to hold a girls’ night in party to raise money for breast cancer research.

When colleagues and friends were told about the idea, everyone supported and generously helped in any way they could.

Raffles were held, there were lucky door prizes, best dressed prizes and the prizes were donated by local businesses and private people. An auction was held (with some very keen bidders) and a guessing competition.

The party venue was decorated in pink streamers, balloons, baubles and candles. The plates, cutlery and tablecloths were also pink. A huge effort was put into costumes and some were very original.

Everyone looked very pretty in pink.

Around 35 people attended and everyone enjoyed the night. It was far beyond anything that was expected.

When the proceeds were totalled, much to everyone surprise and delight, $500 had been raised – an excellent effort for a backyard party.

never been a more important time for all private hospital nurses to stand together and support the strong campaign that the union is running for us to achieve equal pay for equal work.

Only by banding together will all nurses ensure that we’re all treated the same, regardless of whether we’re public or private.

Emma Fisher, Branch Secretary Kareena Private Hospital

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

Malvena Dick, Clarence Nursing Home

SECONDMENT POSITION (MATERNITY LEAVE RELIEF)

PROFESSIONAL OFFICER (MENTAL HEALTH) The NSWNA is seeking a creative and self–motivated nurse who has experience in the mental health sector and is aware of the contemporary issues challenging nurses in this sector for a secondment for maternity leave relief for at least 12 months.

The successful applicant should possess at least five years’ experience, preferably at a senior level, in mental health and have an understanding of trade union issues.

It is essential that you have the ability to network with key stakeholders in 6 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

mental health at a senior level and be proficient in policy analysis, review, development and implementation.

and Midwives Board and possess postgraduate qualifications in nursing or relevant field.

The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate their ability to work independently as well as part of a team, be able to meet deadlines and manage several issues simultaneously.

High level written and oral communication skills are essential.

Further information regarding this position can be obtained by telephoning Robyn Anson on 1300 367 962.

You must hold a current driver’s licence and be able to travel occasionally. You will be eligible for registration with the NSW Nurses

Applications should be received by 28 February 2006 and sent to Robyn Anson, by mail to PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 or email to ranson@nswnurses.asn.au.

Telephone enquiries can be directed to Kate Adams, Manager, Professional Services on 1300 367 962.

Got something to say?

Send your letters to: Salim Barber email sbarber@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.

Dr Terry Joyce

Donna-Lee Houghton with Ray Martin in Aceh

Lynette Dine

Support group for nurses with a mental illness

Aceh experience brings out true heart of nursing

Nurses need to look after each other through the union

I have recently completed a study that explored what is it like at the workplace, for a nurse who has (or had in the past 10 years), a mental illness. The nurses who were interviewed had one or more diagnoses. These included: acute or chronic depressive illness; anxiety; borderline personality disorder; post partum depression; anorexia/bulimia; dissociative disorder; bipolar and schizoaffective disorder.

The settings for this study included rural areas, metropolitan and regional cities in a range of nursing fields – general, mental health and developmental disability; public and private hospitals; nursing homes; community health general/mental; and nurse education facilities.

The study revealed a poor picture of how nurses with a mental illness are treated by their colleagues. That is not to say that every person experienced negative responses at their workplace.

Some nurses discussed their colleagues’ compassion and understanding about their situation. As well as their support, co-workers and managers often assisted these nurses to develop strategies to cope with their life at home and work.

However, too many of the nurses in this study felt unsupported and, at times, were chastised for it. They spoke of discrimination and fear. Consequently, disclosure of their illness was often not an option. They worked hard to maintain the status quo and to prevent the attitude that they are a ‘risk’ at the workplace.

Clearly, the results of the study cannot be expressed in a letter to the editor and nor is it my intention to do so. However, what I would like to do is to set up a support group for nurses who may have a mental disorder or mental health problem.

At this stage, where this would take place has not been decided. If you would like more information or are interested in forming a support group, please contact me on terry.joyce@newcastle.edu.au or Ph: 02 4973 3616.

I want to share with my nursing colleagues a recent nursing experience that changed my life.

I am a Registered Nurse and I work for the Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service and I recently spent one month in Banda Aceh. I was a volunteer aid worker at Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets (YOTS) orphanage in Aceh. The orphanage is run in partnership with Muhammadiyah, one of the largest Muslim agencies in Indonesia.

The orphanage continues to provide much needed care and support to children whose lives were devastated by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.

I ran the health clinic for the 42 children at the orphanage, treating everything from minor ailments to malaria and typhoid. The volunteers also ran an outreach program which delivered food, goods, and medical supplies to outlying villages and refugee camps for Tsunami misplaced people.

I was deeply moved and touched by the sadness and devastation caused by the Tsunami.

The resilience of the children after such a tragedy is astounding, I was honored to be a part of their lives. I had one goal when I left Australia, that if I could bring a smile to one child’s face then I would have made a difference. I am very proud to say that I made a difference in many children’s lives.

The children in the YOTS orphanage now have a special place in my heart, I will never forget them, and I hope to return to Aceh in the future to visit them.

I hope that in the future I have many more opportunities to participate in volunteer aid work. This experience helped me to remember and appreciate the real reason I became a nurse – to help those in need.

I joined the NSWNA when I did my hospital training in the early 1980s. I never really thought much about it, just that the union was there if I needed it. Over the next 20 years we travelled a lot with my husband’s job. He was a coal miner and very much involved with his union.

In 2000 we moved back to Sydney and I started work at a small private hospital.

There was no NSWNA branch at this facility, so a friend and I organised our branch. We didn’t really know what we were doing but signed up everyone we could and started to attend meetings.

I have since moved to the public hospital in the same area. We remain the delegates at each of our hospitals and are still learning what we need to know to represent our members.

At times it is difficult in the workplace when nurses refuse to join the NSWNA and make statements like ‘What has the union done for me?’ Well, they helped increase our pay by 39.5% between 2000-2007, win us the Reasonable Workloads Clause in our award, increase maternity leave … and the list goes on. These same people don’t refuse to accept the pay rise and the other wins.

I was lucky enough last November to be able to attend The National Day of Action protesting against Howard’s IR reforms. It reinforced to me why I am a member of the NSWNA and a delegate. It was an amazing feeling to have so many nurses together looking after each other and supporting other unions.

Nurses need to remember we need to look after each other, and don’t leave it to the same few people to carry the load.

Come to a meeting, see what goes on.

See how much time and effort is spent by paid and non-paid workers of the NSWNA. Join up and help the Association keep up its fight for nurses.

Dr Terry Joyce, University of Newcastle

Donna-Lee Houghton, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service

Lynette Dine, Campbelltown Hospital

Every letter published receives a copy of the Australian Nurse Diary 2006.

The diary includes weekly shift planners, reference materials and foreign language translations, and is available from hospital newsagents.

THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 7

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N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

PRIVATE PATIENTS

DUMPED ON PUBLIC SYSTEM very year, thousands of beds in Sydney’s public hospitals are filled by patients abandoned by private hospitals – usually because their treatment becomes too complex or insurance cover runs out.

In the most extreme case 836 beds at St Vincent’s Darlinghurst were filled with patients transferred from private hospitals in 2004. Royal North Shore hospital admitted 250 patients in the same category.

Figures obtained by The Daily Telegraph show how public hospitals act as a safety net for private hospital patients.

A NSW Health spokeswoman told the newspaper the most common reason for patient transfer to the public system is that most private hospitals don’t have the facilities or equipment to cope with complications or unexpected illnesses.

She said another cause was that the patient’s private hospital insurance ran out.

‘Many funds have limited accepted periods of high-level financial support for in-patient costs in a private hospital and start reducing or cease funding after those periods,’ she said.

Apart from St Vincent’s and Royal North Shore, other hospitals with high transfers included Prince of Wales with 215, Wollongong 201, Gosford 178 and Sydney Children’s 107.

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ARE YOU A CNS, CNE, OR NE?

HAVE YOUR SAY! Your pay and award classifications are currently being reviewed. The NSWNA is asking members to complete a questionnaire on the NSWNA website: www.nswnurses. asn.au. Your responses will help gain improvements in your pay and conditions. Log on and have your say today.

8 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

Over budget and slow to pay g Top auditor names Health’s financial failures

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wo area health services – Northern Sydney and Central Coast, and Greater Southern – exceeded their budgets and regularly failed to pay creditors on time last financial year.

Greater Southern took so long to pay its bills that some suppliers were refusing further supply, creating many practical difficulties for health services in the area.

Both services failed to meet two key financial performance benchmarks set

by NSW Health, according to the State Auditor-General Bob Sendt.

The benchmarks relate to keeping net cost of services within budget, and paying creditors according to contract or within 45 days.

Only two areas – South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra, and Hunter and New England – managed to meet both benchmarks, Mr Sendt said in his annual report issued last month.

The remaining four areas failed to meet one or other of the criteria.

Budget over-runs for Northern Sydney and Central Coast, and Greater Southern were $10 million and $8.3 million respectively.

At 31 January 2005 the amount owing to creditors for greater than 45 days was $60.1 million, across all eight areas.

The figure fell to $13.2 million at 30 June 2005 (three areas) and increased to $34.1 million (four areas) at 31 August 2005.

‘A significant number of areas did not meet triage benchmarks.’

Reviewing emergency department triage, the Auditor-General said all health services met the department’s triage targets for the most urgent lifethreatening category, T1.

However, ‘a significant number of areas again did not meet the benchmark for the other life-threatening categories, T2 and T3.’

Mr Sendt also examined health services’ performance on access block, measured as a percentage of patients who need an inpatient bed but were not admitted to a bed within eight hours of first being seen by a doctor or nurse.

Metropolitan health services had a higher access block than rural services.

Sydney South West recorded the highest access block (38%) while the lowest was Greater Western (11%). n

Territory of Greater Southern Area Health Service

STOP PRESS MORAN FORCES ENS TO SIGN UP AS AINS As The Lamp went to print, Moran Health Care told ENs at its Tweed Heads facility they had to sign a letter accepting the lower classification of AIN … or they would be sacked. The move to downgrade ENs to the AIN classification is a cost-cutting measure by Moran. The NSWNA warns ENs at all Moran nursing homes to ring the Association if they are asked to sign any document that downgrades their classification or employment status.

Do not sign away your EN status.

Call 8598 1234 or 1300 367 962.

GREATER SOUTHERN A SERIOUS OFFENDER uditor-General Bob Sendt’s report indicates serious financial problems at Greater Southern Area Health Service.

His findings are backed up by recent reports in the Sydney and Canberra media revealing that: c Goulburn Base Hospital’s fire alarms had not worked for more than a year because of unpaid repair fees. c A Wagga Wagga woman with breast cancer was refused a $232 prosthesis and bra after Myer department store froze its account with the health service. c Batemans Bay hospital ran out of suture kits and could not order supplies to monitor antibiotic levels in patients’ blood because the service had not paid the supplier’s bill. c Surgeons had not been paid for up to four months.

Mr Sendt said the Area Health Service was devoting considerable resources to handling the volume of creditor enquiries due to slow payment of invoices.

‘Some creditors have placed the Service on “stop supply” and many practical difficulties are being encountered in acquiring critical goods and services needed for running the Health Service,’ he commented.

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Finally, James Hardie locked into $4.5 billion payout

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he James Hardie company has signed a legally binding agreement to pay $4.5 billion compensation to asbestos victims.

The agreement, signed in December 2005, gives legal effect to commitments given by the company to the unions and asbestos groups in December 2004.

ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said: ‘This agreement balances the need to provide justice and proper compensation to the victims of James Hardie asbestos products with the need to ensure the company can continue as a commercially successful business.’

Under the agreement, James Hardie is committed to an open-ended and uncapped funding agreement to provide $4.5 billion for asbestos compensation over at least the next 40 years.

The directors and officers of James Hardie will be released from action for compensation, but these releases will not prevent ASIC from pursuing investigations or possible prosecutions.

The ACTU has called for the lifting of any remaining bans or boycotts of James Hardie products.

‘We thank the NSW Government, asbestos groups and all the unions and union members who have worked so hard to achieve justice for James Hardie asbestos victims,’ said Greg Combet.

But the ACTU Secretary warned that the Federal Government’s IR laws would make campaigns like the one against James Hardie much more difficult in future.

‘In the future, workers and unions who run these types of campaigns could be subject to crippling fines, damages and prosecution from the Federal Government,’ he said.

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes welcomed the legal agreement signed by the company.

‘I know many of our members have taken a special interest in this campaign.

Many nurses have also cared for the victims of asbestos and will continue to do so in the future,’ Brett said.

‘Without the involvement of unions and union members, justice would not have been achieved for asbestos victims.’ n

RPA launches own TV channel

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atients, visitors and staff at RPA can now access a free television channel with over 10 hours of health programming and news reports.

RPAtv, which was launched in late-2005, is broadcast daily to patients’ bedsides and public areas of the hospital.

Programs cover topics including: c patients’ rights and responsibilities

c c c c c c c

parenting advice healthy cooking Indigenous issues mental health issues life skills for adolescents biographies, and interviews with inspirational people.

RPAtv plans to syndicate the hospital television concept to other health facilities. n THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 9

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N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

EARLYBIRD PROGRAM

CUTS DEPRESSION,

BOOSTS BREASTFEEDING parenting program run by Child and Family Health Nurses is boosting breastfeeding rates and supporting parents Carolyn Briggs, in the early weeks President of the after birth.

Child and Family The Earlybird Health Nurses’ Program was Association developed by the South Eastern Area Health Service and lunched statewide in late-2004.

The program, which gives parents access to Child and Family Health services as a soon as possible after birth, brings mothers together in Earlybird groups.

‘Women who attended an Earlybird group in the St George area were shown to have a more significant drop in their Edinburgh depression scale than women who attended one-to-one appointments with a Child and Family Health nurse,’ said South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service Director of Nursing and Midwifery Support Services, Kim Oleson.

‘The ongoing social and support networks appeared to make a significant difference.’

Carolyn Briggs, President of the Child and Family Health Nurses’ Association, said that women who attended Earlybird groups ‘had higher breastfeeding rates compared to women attending individual Child and Family Health consultations’.

‘As health professionals we recognise that breastmilk is the best choice for babies as it contains all the nutrients required for at least the first six months of life and is the most cost effective option for families,’ Ms Briggs said.

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10 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

Intruder ransacks ICU g NSWNA advises on security

Maxine Ross

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olice subdued an armed intruder with capsicum spray after he ransacked Armidale Hospital intensive care unit in an apparent search for drugs.

No staff or patients were injured but the nurses’ station and some equipment was badly damaged.

Improved security measures are now being introduced at the hospital with advice from NSWNA officers.

A young nurse activated a duress alarm and escaped from the ICU when a man armed with a sickle and sledgehammer came in.

A second nurse ran to the ICU in response to the duress alarm and found a man injecting himself with drugs from the emergency trolley. A window, computers and other equipment were smashed and the drug cupboard had been broken open, she told The Lamp.

Police arrested a 52-year-old man and placed him under guard in hospital.

He was charged with a string of offences including robbery while armed with an offensive weapon.

‘Staff were shocked and traumatised that something like this could happen so easily,’ said NSWNA branch president at the hospital, Maxine Ross.

Two NSWNA officers, health and safety coordinator Trish Butrej and organiser Robyn Starkey travelled to Armidale to inspect the hospital and meet with nurses and management three days after the incident.

They sent their report and recommendations to hospital and Area management.

Trish said the man entered the hospital during visiting hours. He was visible on CCTV footage, which did not show that he was carrying weapons.

‘It is assumed he held the hammer close to his body or leg. The large knife was hidden in leafy branches taken from the garden and looked on film like he was carrying a large floral arrangement,’ she said.

Trish said the ICU was not secure partly because it was temporarily located in the day surgery area while the usual ICU area was being refurbished.

‘Only one duress alarm was located in the ward, at the nurses’ station – a temporary system with a limited number of units and no capacity to location-find,’ she said.

‘Security was already being improved when the incident took place. For example, the new duress alarm was in the process of being installed at the time of the incident.

‘The new ICU incorporates the latest design guidelines for enhanced security.

We have had a lot of input into these guidelines and continue to do so.’

Trish said management had advised that the temporary duress alarm components would be used for areas of the 84-bed hospital not covered by the new duress alarm.

‘Management were very cooperative and forthcoming. They were very receptive to our recommendations and provided support for staff including a debriefing and counselling.’

Maxine Ross said the branch discussed a number of security issues with management including multiple access to the hospital. Access after 6pm is now restricted to one door.

She said nurses remain concerned that only one security guard/wardsman is on duty overnight – an issue first raised by the branch about 13 months ago.

‘The security person is often tied up with wards duties for long periods of time, meaning they can’t cover their security role effectively,’ Maxine said.

‘The security guard/wardsman has to cover all parts of the hospital building including the boiler room where the pager doesn’t work. He also patrols the accommodation block and another neighbouring building and the car park.

‘Vehicles belonging to staff and patients have been broken into and stolen from the car park,’ Maxine said. n

FREE EYE SURGERY

FOR 6 MILLION

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ourists arriving in the Cuban capital are shocked to find all Havana’s luxury hotel rooms fully booked until mid-2006.

More than a dozen hotels have been temporarily closed to tourists to make way for a different kind of visitor. Most of them arrive nearly blind; but all will be able to see perfectly before they leave.

A remarkable humanitarian program is under way in Havana, reports The Independent newspaper of London. The program aims to restore the sight of six million people through free eye surgery.

Launched in July by the 79-yearold Cuban President, Fidel Castro, and Venezuela’s leader, President Hugo Chavez, Operation Miracle has brought daily planeloads of the poor from across Latin America and the Caribbean to Havana for surgery.

Cuba provides the medical skills, Venezuela the petro-dollars to pay all costs.

People suffering from cataracts and other eye conditions that can be quickly remedied are candidates.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

FOR PAKISTAN ustralian nurses and doctors are being asked to volunteer for urgent relief work in earthquakedevastated Pakistan.

The unofficial death toll from October’s quake is thought to be well over 90,000 with more than 120,000 injured, according to Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA. Union Aid Abroad is supporting a call for volunteers issued by the Australian-based Pakistan Earthquake Appeal Co-ordination Committee.

Interested nurses can obtain details from www.peacc.org./ topics/2119.html

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Outreach nurses get security guards g Palliative care service saved from closure

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urses operating the Illawarra district’s community palliative care service no longer have to work alone at night and will be accompanied by a security guard after 9pm.

The after hours call-out service was threatened with closure, but community uproar helped deliver funding to overcome occupational safety concerns.

Complaints from the public and local politicians generated wide coverage in local media.

The Illawarra Mercury warned that planned changes would RN Nilda Miranda, president of the force terminally ill people NSWNA branch at Port Kembla hospital wanting help to die at home to time their deaths to occur through last year management realised during business hours. the service would have to comply with The Illawarra has a home death rate occupational health and safety policies and of up to 40%, compared to 17% in St George and 19% in South Eastern Sydney. ensure risks were eliminated or controlled.

‘The branch supported all measures The after hours call-out service handled to safeguard nurses, but we were also more than 1600 referrals in 2004.

‘We remain committed to delivering quality care.’

‘Continuing the service not only made economic sense but also responded to a critical need to provide palliative care to all in the setting of the client’s choosing,’ said RN Nilda Miranda, president of the NSWNA branch at Port Kembla hospital and a member of the palliative care unit.

‘Our call-out nurses cover a wide area from Helensburgh in the north to Gerringong in the south. These selfless, committed and caring professionals dedicated many unpaid hours to their work and on many occasions exposed themselves to potential risks.’

‘Working alone at night, conducting some of the work from home, driving long hours and in all weather were some of the concerns.’

Nilda told The Lamp that mid-way

concerned to maintain the jobs and earning capacity of the six RNs and two CNCs employed by the after hours service.’

Nilda said the service went through a period of ‘uncertainty, stress and crisis’ and lost invaluable staff mainly as a result of changed working hours and loss of the ability to work from home.

She said the service, renamed the Palliative Care Outreach Program has now secured financial backing from area management and is seeking new staff.

‘The palliative care team in conjunction with generalist community nurses are working hard to ensure patient care remains our highest priority. We remain committed to delivering quality care to our clients in their own homes, aged care facilities and other hospitals in the area,’ Nilda said. n THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 11

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N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

PLAN TO CUT SURGERY DEATHS ll surgical deaths in hospitals will be audited under a plan designed to detect system failures and medical errors.

The national plan is based on a West Australian audit which ran between January 2002 and June 2004 and involved voluntary participation by 96% of WA surgeons.

NSW is rolling out its audit area by area, starting with the Sydney South Western Area Health Service early this year, according to the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission.

The WA audit identified systemic problems and has resulted in nationwide changes in surgical practice.

These included changes in medication given to patients before surgery to prevent deep-vein thrombosis and reduction in the amount of fluid given to emergency patients to avoid over-hydrating.

‘The results in WA have already improved the safety and quality of care by providing feedback to surgeons, hospitals and government that highlight system failures, which have prevented a recurrence of adverse events,’ said Guy Maddern of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons.

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12 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

Decaying rural hospitals under fire g Tumut, Batlow residents demand new facilities

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ommunity agitation over the decrepit state of hospitals in Tumut shire, west of Canberra, has highlighted the lack of funding for rural health facilities.

A letter to Director General for Health, Robyn Kruk, calling for new hospitals at Tumut and Batlow and signed by 446 people, said decaying infrastructure was putting medical staff under increasing strain.

‘Both Tumut and Batlow hospitals are unsafe, inefficient and in need of immediate replacement. Many doctors, nurses and allied health professionals have understandably already left to work in more modern hospitals elsewhere,’ the letter said.

The department’s own Tumut Health Service Plan admits: ’The provision of effective emergency, mental health, allied health and maternity services is significantly affected by the poor facility condition at the Tumut District Hospital site.’

The NSWNA branch at 26-bed Tumut hospital has told local management of its concerns about the poor state of facilities and inadequate security.

‘Management are supportive and are doing repairs and maintenance when they can, but their hands are tied by financial constraints,’ said branch secretary Vicki Kell.

‘Batlow hospital is in an even worse state. It’s really run down,’ Vicki said.

A few of the many complaints about Tumut hospital listed in the community letter to NSW Health and confirmed by nurses include:

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The maternity ward is situated in the middle of the main ward, leading mothers to worry about the dangers of cross infection. c Grieving relatives have no privacy unless a staff member vacates an office. c A bathroom is closed because the flooring is lifting, and bathrooms are too small for the elderly with their frames.

Vicki said security was recently improved with a security guard on duty from 6pm to 11pm, but doors and window locks are not secure.

‘We do have occasional water leaks when it rains heavily and we have to get towels and mops and buckets out,’ she said.

‘Staff handle the conditions very well, we adjust accordingly and the hospital functions well in the circumstances.’

Local MP Katrina Hodgkinson praised the efforts of Tumut and Batlow nurses.

‘At the moment there is only one factor that is keeping the residents of Tumut and the Adelong Batlow area supplied with halfway decent health care: the dedication and commitment of the local medical and administrative staff, who are forced to work in substandard buildings,’ she said.

Some relief for long-suffering staff and residents may be in sight. Tumut hospital management are seeking a grant of over $200,000 for repairs and renovations, and NSW Health has appointed architects to begin design work on a new multi purpose centre for Batlow with the construction tender to be let ‘in the first half of 2006’.

A new hospital for Tumut seems a much more distant prospect. There is no mention of it in the current health services plan which runs to 2011. n

THE AUSTRALIAN

NURSING AWARDS

2006

The Australian Nursing Awards aim to encourage skills advancement and excellence in the nursing profession by awarding outstanding nurses from each of the following three categories: c HESTA Professional Development Scholarships Awards three outstanding nurses scholarships to fund further education or training in a specialty of their choice. Nominations must be made by a senior staff member supporting their application to further studies in their chosen field. Scholarship funds up to $5000 will be awarded to the successful candidate with two finalists receiving up to $2500 each. c National Care Awards The National Care Awards seek to recognise and reward excellence in nursing practice. Nominations are made by patients, the families and friends of patients and colleagues of nominees who wish to acknowledge the provision of care they considered to be excellent.

Seven state finalists are awarded prizes and an overall national winner is announced at the ceremony. The state finalists will receive $500 each and the national winner $1500. c sanofi-aventis Student Achievement Awards Three Awards will recognise excellence in final year undergraduate students in nursing, nominated by their university. The finalists will receive $500 each.

Visit our website for more information and nomination forms: http://www.healthstaffrecruitment. com.au/australiannursingawards.htm

Pregnant worker wins discrimination case g Light duties request was refused

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hospital blood collector has been awarded $7500 compensation for sex discrimination after her employer, North Coast Area Health Service, failed to meet her request for light duties when she was heavily pregnant.

The Administrative Decisions Tribunal upheld a complaint by Ms Kylie Jordan of sex discrimination on the grounds of her late-term pregnancy. The tribunal rejected her complaint of victimisation.

Ms Jordan, an employee at Lismore Base Hospital, repeatedly requested light duties on the grounds that she was finding it difficult to do her normal job as a specimen collector because of her advanced pregnancy.

through alternatives that would have both enabled her to remain in full-time employment, and would have enabled blood collections to be done.

‘Before imposing a discriminatory requirement NRAHS was required to do more in the circumstances than to say, in effect, “there is no policy, there are no vacancies, there’s no

‘... rather than impose the discriminatory requirement, it was possible for NRAHS to have made considerably greater efforts to accommodate Ms Jordan’s needs.’

The operations manager refused her requests on the grounds that there was no suitable position available and no funding to create one.

He instead offered her a reduction in the number of hours she would be required to collect blood and suggested she take leave if she was unable to perform her duties.

The tribunal ruled that efforts to find alternative work for Ms Jordan were inadequate, ‘and render unreasonable the requirement of Ms Jordan that she continue her ward blood collection duties.’

‘We are satisfied that opportunities for the North Coast Area Health Service to provide alternative full-time duties for Ms Jordan were limited,’ the tribunal said.

‘We are satisfied, however, that rather than impose the discriminatory requirement, it was possible for NRAHS to have made considerably greater efforts to accommodate Ms Jordan’s needs

money, and there’s no legal requirement”.

Ms Jordan told the tribunal that because she had to start her leave early, she was unable to stay at home with her baby for as long as she had planned before returning to work. n

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

ACTIVE & ORGANISED

WE WIN NSWNA members at John Hunter hospital hand out ice blocks to the public during a heat wave without air conditioning.

Ice block protest wins g Our hard-fought rights at work will be eroded by Howard’s IR changes unless NSWNA members get active to send a strong message of protest to the government.

This month, The Lamp explores how members have thought creatively and organised themselves in the fight to defend their hard-fought conditions and entitlements. Working with their union and engaging the support of local communities, active and organised nurses can make a real difference to their working conditions, patients and wider communities.

14 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

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t took one thousand ice blocks to finally melt the Health bureaucracy’s 15-year resolve to deny air conditioning to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

On Monday January 17, the hospital’s 15th birthday, members of the NSW Nurses’ Association stood at John Hunter’s main entrance handing free ice blocks to everyone who came and went.

With every ice block came this message: ‘Nurses are doing this as a protest to mark 15 years without air conditioning. We aim to put some of the heat suffered by patients, staff and visitors onto the Department of Health and the state government.’

The hospital has between 650700 beds and 450 have never had air-conditioning.

As Health bureaucrats and politicians tucked into a birthday cake in the hospital cafeteria, hundreds of people – patients, visitors and staff – milled around the entrance to offer support to nurses and sign their petition calling for air conditioning in all wards.

The government caved in that afternoon, agreeing to provide the $8.9 million needed to fully aircondition John Hunter.

‘We are all thrilled by the decision – it’s a huge win for the Nurses’ Association,’ said Jade Starkey, a clinical nurse specialist in paediatric oncology and NSWNA delegate.

Another NSWNA delegate at the hospital, RN Andrew Rigg, said nurses would keep up the pressure

to have air-conditioning installed as quickly as possible.

‘We realise it will take time but we have told the department we want to see work underway by November this year,’ Andrew said.

The NSWNA branch at John Hunter first raised the heat issue with management in January 1991, shortly after the hospital’s opening, and every summer since.

‘We gave management 12 months notice last January and they did nothing,’ Andrew said.

‘This summer was really unbearable.

On New Year’s Day we had a heatwave and bushfire which got close to hospital, and because of that the staff had to close out all the windows. There was no airflow and the temperature inside some wards reached 48 degrees.

‘Staff were really stressed and patients were suffering acutely.

‘Nurses put up wet towels and sheets by the windows to try to cool things down and humidify the air. They were handing out drinks left right and centre, trying to keep everyone cool, calm and collected.

‘Imagine coming in after a fall or a hip operation, or a car accident, or giving birth and then having to endure temperatures in the forties.’

Delegates also reported that pregnant nurses had sometimes been forced to leave work early and people had fainted because of the heat.

‘In the paediatric ward, we have had children in traction come out in heat rashes that just would not heal.

MEDIA COVERAGE

WAS CRUCIAL he ice block protest followed weeks of bad media publicity for the government over the air conditioning issue.

With temperatures inside the wards frequently in the high thirties and reaching 48 degrees on New Year’s Day, public opinion was clearly on the side of nurses.

‘The media coverage we received was a major factor in the government backing down,’ said RN Andrew Rigg, a NSWNA delegate at John Hunter.

‘Channel 3 local TV ran the story almost every day, the Newcastle Herald were keen to chase it, and we had the Sydney Daily Telegraph up here taking pictures,’ Andrew said.

‘The nurses got good coverage on at least two Sydney radio stations –Tim Webster at 2UE and Ray Hadley at 2GB – and it was all over the local radio.

‘It really shows the importance of communicating your issue to the media.’

Andrew said the public strongly supported the ice block protest.

‘People appreciated the joke and everyone wanted to sign the petition. We had no complaints from the public – it was all, “Thumbs up, go get ‘em.”

As well as handing out ice blocks, nurses gave the public copies of a NSW Health press release which recommends people exposed to excessive heat take similar action to that being requested by the John Hunter nurses.

‘We told people it was time the Health Department practised what it preaches,’ NSWNA delegate Jade Starkey said.

‘I think the department was embarrassed that we were using their own circulars against them. For example they advised people with diabetes and hypertension to avoid hot areas. If we followed those guidelines we wouldn’t be able to admit people to John Hunter.’

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air-conditioning battle ‘There are problems with blood that is hung up getting too hot, and infection implications of sweat dripping into wounds.’

As this issue of The Lamp went to press, the NSWNA was negotiating with management on interim measures to relieve discomfort and risk to patients and staff before air-conditioning is installed.

The union is seeking: c Extra staff during hot periods to provide patients and staff with hourly ice and drink rounds. c Implementation of ACTU or WorkCover guidelines on working in heat, which provide for extra rest periods each hour when temperatures are excessive. c Nurses to be allowed to wear cooler

clothing when the ward temperature reaches 31 degrees.

Wendy Goodman, NUM and the John Hunter Hospital Branch Secretary, said the interim measures to combat heat are extremely important. ‘It’s about the safety of our staff and ultimately, the safety of our patients. If nurses can’t function, they can’t work. The interim measures make sure that nurses, and patients, are not at risk.’ n

Wendy Goodman

CALL FOR INDUSTRY-WIDE ACTION ON HEAT SWNA General Secretary, Brett Holmes, called on state and federal governments to commit to making airconditioning available in all health and aged care facilities.

‘The heat issue has serious clinical and occupational health and safety risks in health and aged care facilities,’ Brett said.

‘It’s an issue the NSWNA faces every summer across the hospital sector.’

Brett wrote to NSW Premier Iemma outlining some of the ‘horrendous and dangerous’

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conditions experienced by John Hunter patients and staff and asked him to provide funding to aircondition the hospital.

‘Heat is also a major problem in the aged care sector, with thousands of elderly people, many bed-ridden, forced to sit out the summer in rooms without air conditioning,’ Brett said.

‘It’s time the Federal Government also got its act together and did something about the appalling conditions aged care residents and staff often have to put up with during the summer months.’

THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 15

ACTIVE & ORGANISED,

WE WIN

LOCAL&VOCAL 16 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

g Nurses across NSW are taking every avenue to deliver the message to Coalition MPs.

‘Arrogant’ National MP dismisses nurse concerns

Presenting Page MP Ian Causley with a bundle of letters protesting against the proposed industrial relations laws are Lismore Base Hospital nurses (left to right) Lorraine Black, Leisa Sowelu, Mary-Lou Fraser and Angela Saul.

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cting NUM Mary Lou Fraser from Lismore Base Hospital wanted to ask the Federal Government face-to-face about the impact of IR changes on local nurses.

So she joined one of two NSWNA delegations to meet her local federal MP Ian Causley, the National Party member for Page.

After a 30-minute meeting in late-2005, Mary and other nurses were disappointed with Causley’s attitude.

‘His manner was arrogant and dismissive. At one stage

he said, “I’ll say this for you slowly so you understand”,’ said Mary.

‘I handed him 200 letters of protest signed by workers in his electorate. Not one of us heard from him or received a reply.’

The MP dismissed as ‘unfortunate’ the negative impact of IR laws on local nurses, including a change that allows employers to insist on medical certificates for singleday absences.

‘Sick leave is a big issue for nurses,’ said Mary. ‘The legislation allows for employers

to demand that workers get a medical certificate after one day’s illness.

‘But there is no bulk billing here and people cannot afford to travel long distances and pay a doctor to get a certificate.

‘I asked him to comment on the hardship that people would be under. He said that sickies are a real problem and tackling this is more important than our hardships,’ said Mary.

NSWNA Assistant Secretary Judith Kiejda said Mary’s experience shows just how out of touch politicians such as Mr Causley have become. n

Cyclists deliver message to Canberra

Hugh Clark delivers his message to Canberra

By Hugh Clark RN, Rozelle Hospital, and Dr Mark Dalgleish, RPAH

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n November, around 70 bicycle riders and supporters rode from Sydney to Canberra.

The 300km distance was cycled as a statement to the Howard administration about what we and millions of other working Australians think about the new industrial relations `reforms` the government refers to as WorkChoices.

Also the Howard Government’s spending of $100million of taxpayer’s money on a propaganda campaign, which is little more than Liberal Party ideology, was seen as grotesque.

This ride was a healthy way to deliver this message and support all workers, including nurses who will be particularly affected by this legislation.

The Unions NSW bright orange bus, together with our bright orange t-shirts, proved a very vivid sight that attracted

the attention from well-wishers and local media.

After a three-day journey, the riders and supporters converged on Parliament House in Canberra. With whistles blowing, we delivered a powerful message to the government that this draconian legislation will not be accepted.

During the ride we were to learn some very frightening facts about this legislation.

One that requires special mention is for those employees whom are currently on an enterprise agreement.

All the employer need do is give 90 days notice prior to the expiration of the agreement and they would be reduced to the five minimum conditions, not the award.

There are no choices in Howard’s WorkChoices unless you count the door as a choice. The claim that no one will be forced into an individual contract is clearly false. n

Deputy PM shamed into meeting nurses

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endy Jones, CNC, and Belinda Porter, NE, from Port Macquarie Private Hospital were finally granted a meeting with their local MP Mark Vaile – but only after an article in the local newspaper shamed him for ignoring their request for five months.

National Party MP Vaile, who holds the NSW federal seat of Lyne, is also Deputy Prime Minister.

Wendy and Belinda met with him in late-November to discuss their concerns about the WorkChoices IR legislation.

Wendy said that the MP tried hard to avoid the topic of the industrial relations changes and preferred to talk about the hospital.

The NSWNA members questioned Mark Vaile about the protection of the

Belinda Porter and Wendy Jones (right)

wages and conditions of nurses who work in private hospitals. The Deputy PM advised that nurses should ‘see how things work over time and negotiate our needs’.

Wendy said she felt it was a worthwhile meeting and encourages other nurses to approach their local members.

‘I feel now that I have a solid basis for watching what happens with WorkChoices and challenging him on it,’ she said. n

Coral eyeballs senators over WorkChoices g NSWNA President Coral Levett told a senate committee her concerns about WorkChoices and its impact on nurses

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oral was part of an ANF delegation – three working nurses and an ANF industrial officer – who fronted up before the inquiry late last year.

She said the senators were obviously divided.

‘The Liberal senators’ body language and the questions they asked suggested they thought it was a waste of time. All the other senators, including NSWNA President the National Party Coral Levett member, seemed resigned that it was going to go through anyway but that they were worried.’

Coral says the Liberal senators didn’t seem to understand their own bill.

‘They said nothing would change if you were under a state award. When I pointed out that our reasonable workloads clause or the Victorian nurses’ staff/patients ratios were not allowable matters they just shrugged.’

‘The Greens senator and the Labor senators were clearly concerned. They asked a lot about the OHS implications of the new laws.’

‘Penny Wong (ALP, South Australia), especially, seemed to be on the ball. She had a terrific understanding of how it would impact on emergency services.’

Coral said she wasn’t able to even talk about unfair dismissal which wasn’t one of the terms of the inquiry. ‘I was cut off when I brought it up,’ she said.

Even though the senate committee was unable to change the bill Coral still thinks appearing before the committee was worthwhile. ‘It’s important to get across the perspective of nurses directly. It takes the wind out of their sails if you go there as a working community member.

This is true for the media as well as for the politicians.’ n THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 17

s COVER STORY

Christy’s partner, Jamie, is one of the workers on the picket line.They are currently living on her nurse’s wage. She describes the emotional impact of being on strike for such a long period of time as ‘horrendous’.

Nurse supports striking Boeing workers – unless their employer says they can. The support from the community around this issue has been overwhelming.’

g RN Christy Lantz joined striking Boeing workers at an AWU picketline in support of her partner and the right of workers to negotiate a collective agreement.

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ew Year’s Day marked 215 days that the Boeing workers at Williamtown, Newcastle, have been on the picket line to win the right to negotiate a collective agreement.

Since January 2005, the Australian Workers Union (AWU) has been attempting to negotiate a collective agreement but Boeing Management refuse point blank to move away from individual contracts.

The AWU has argued that workers at most of Boeing’s other sites in Australia and in the United States are employed under collective agreements and the Williamtown employees want that same right.

One person who has been impacted by the experience is Christy Lantz, a RN at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. Her partner, Jamie, is one of the workers on the picket line. Christy and Jamie also have a seven-year-old son. They are currently 18 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

Howard sides with the boss

living on her nurse’s wage and are grateful to have received some financial support from the campaign fund. She describes the emotional impact of being on strike for such a long period of time as ‘horrendous’.

‘Financially you can’t plan for anything, but emotionally it’s very difficult to cope,’ she said.

Christy believes that what the Boeing workers are asking for is simple. ‘They’re not asking for buckets of money, just what’s entitled to them.’

‘You have to stand up for your principles, but you can’t just focus on yourself. You have to look beyond that for the greater good of society.’ This is what she and Jamie feels their family is doing by continuing to be out on the picket line.

John Boyd, Organiser with the Australian Workers Union, said, ‘WorkChoices is a complete farce. Australian workers don’t have the right to bargain collectively

The Prime Minister has publicly backed the Boeing company’s refusal to negotiate a collective agreement, despite claiming that his government’s Industrial Relations WorkChoices agenda aims to provide workers with more choice between awards and agreements. The Government’s $55 million dollar campaign and advertisements stated that the proposed changes would ‘preserve the rights of workers to have a union negotiate a collective agreement if they wish’. The Boeing dispute is evidence that the Liberal Government’s agenda is to undermine and, in this case, eliminate the ability for unions to negotiate a collective agreement on behalf of workers.

NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, has criticised the Federal Government for not intervening in the issue and, in response, the NSW Government initiated an inquiry into the dispute. Final submissions from both parties in that inquiry will continue this month. n Nurses can support Boeing workers and their families by visiting the picket line, making a donation to the campaign, and sending a protest message to Boeing and the Government at www. awu.net.au/boeing.

ACTIVE & ORGANISED,

WE WIN

Nurses lead town in hospital fundraiser g Barraba Nurses took to the streets to raise $41,000 for a special needs bed at their hospital.

YOUR UNION NEEDS YOU g A strong membership means the NSWNA has more power to protect nurses’ rights and entitlements, according to Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda. ‘We need new members to build and keep the NSWNA strong. One of the most effective ways members can make a difference is to actively recruit non-members.’

8 ways to recruit new members Barraba nurses (from left) Jodi Martin, Lyn Simpson and Dot Howison with the Hillrom total care bed. Nurses Association delegate Elsie May is the ‘patient’ in the bed.

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long walk in the country inspired three nurses to raise $41,000 for a special needs bed at their hospital.

During a leisurely 43km walk together, Barraba hospital nurses Dot Howison, Jodi Martin and Lyn Simpson talked about how they could help their small hospital obtain a Hillrom total care bed Jodi had seen demonstrated while attending a conference.

‘It was a big ask but we thought the effort would be worth it because the bed would help make our patients’ lives easier and our work easier too,’ Dot said.

‘We have 16 high-level aged care beds and seven acute beds, and the town has an ageing population with a growing need for aged and palliative care.’

Undaunted by the high cost of the bed, the trio canvassed support from other hospital staff and residents of Barraba, a town of 1500 people about 100km northwest of Tamworth.

‘It was a big ask but we thought the effort would be worth it because the bed would help make our patients’ lives easier and our work easier too.’

A fundraising committee was formed and a string of activities soon followed, including a bike ride, a monster Christmas hamper raffle, a New Year’s Eve party and street stall.

These efforts motivated the Barraba Lions Club to organise a community golf day ($5000 raised) and to successfully apply for a $15,000 donation from Lions Australia.

A generous donation from a local family also helped to raise the $41,000 in just seven months. n

1

Try to meet new employees during an orientation to the workplace.

2

After explaining the union benefits to a non-member, ask them to sign up then and there and offer to send the application form to the NSWNA yourself.

3

If a non-member refuses to join first time around, talk to them again once they’ve seen the positive results of union action.

4

Never assume that your colleague or friend is a member of the Association. It’s always best to ask them, and if they are not, invite them to become a member. Nurses often say that they have wanted to belong to the Association but have just never been invited to join!

5

In larger facilities, it’s important to identify an activist in every ward or unit who will talk to new nurses about the benefits of the Association. It is important to cover not only day shifts, but nights and weekends, as well.

6

Branch officials are encouraged to gain access to orientation programs in order to talk to newly employed nurses.

7

Have a membership drive. The Association’s Campaigns Team is always happy to talk to you about recruiting tips, and will be happy to sponsor a BBQ, morning or afternoon tea and/or provide your branch /workplace with promotional items that will assist in attracting existing and new members to branch meetings or events.

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Another way is to ask the Campaigns Team to book an ‘Association Comes to the Workplace’ visit to your workplace. These are great opportunities for branch officials to raise their profiles across the workplace.

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary, Judith Kiejda THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 19

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INNE DWUSS TI R N I AB LR II ES FS U E S

RNs $570 worse off under Howard’s ‘fair pay’ fiasco

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public hospital RN could be $569.53 a week out of pocket if she was to lose her award entitlements by signing a typical AWA, according to an analysis by the NSWNA. The NSWNA has used the condition of an RN 8th year from an operating theatre in a rural hospital as an example to measure the impact of losing award conditions in an AWA. The NSWNA calculation of the AWA salary is based on the government’s ‘fair pay’ standards. The Howard Government has frequently voiced its preference for an IR system that has individual contracts as the norm.

‘It’s a huge amount of money to lose. For me, missing out on penalty rates for working afternoons would be terrible.

It would leave a really big hole in my pay.’

The analysis shows the total loss of qualification allowance, evening shift and on-call allowances and penalty rates for weekends and public holidays.

Long service leave is greatly reduced as the award delivers a more generous payment than the NSW Long Service Leave Act. Overtime for call-outs would be greatly reduced, as under an AWA a nurse will only be paid for the hours worked, not minimum overtime payable.

(The NSWNA has calculated this as an average of two hours.) Under current arrangements, you are paid for four hours, irrespective of how many hours you work.

The calculations are based on two afternoon shifts per week, two weekends per month, 10 eight-hour shifts on-call per month, eight recalls per month and a public holiday per month.

20 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

Amanda Hanrahan, an RN in recovery at Orange Base Hospital, says she is less than impressed by the idea of an AWA cutting her pay by up to 30%.

‘It’s a huge amount of money to lose.

For me, missing out on penalty rates for working afternoons would be terrible. It would leave a really big hole in my pay.’

‘I’m totally surprised. It’s horrific. I didn’t realise there would be such a big difference. Potentially I’d be missing out on a mortgage payment per fortnight.

That’s huge.

‘If we lost that much money, nurses could end up as part of the working poor.

You’d have to think: is it worth it?’ n

Amanda Hanrahan

COMPARISON OF NSW PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM NURSES AND MIDWIVES’ (STATE) AWARD AND AWA, BASED ON FAIR PAY STANDARDS Registered Nurse 8th year Per Week

Award Nurse

Hourly rate

AWA Nurse

$29.99

$29.99

$1,139.60

$1,139.62

Qualification allowance

$15.91

$0.00

Long Service Leave*

$28.36

$17.47

Evening shift allowance

$59.98

$0.00

$149.95

$0.00

$23.06

$0.00

Per 38-hour week

Weekend Public Holiday On call allowance Overtime for emergency recall Total Difference

$69.84

$0.00

$419.86

$179.94

$1,906.56

$1,337.03 -$569.53

c

Comparison based on 8th year RN, Operating Theatres, Rural Base Hospital

c

Calculations based on two afternoon shifts per week, two weekends per month, 10 eight-hour shifts on call per month and a public holiday per month

c

LSL under NSW Act is less than the award.

c

The award nurse works for 40 hours a week but is paid for 38 with two hours per week paying for the ADOs. The AWA worker would be paid for 40 hours per week worked.

NURSES’ RIGHTS

Worth fighting for

AWAS ARE Treasury concedes IR changes will lead INSIDIOUS to lower wages

SWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes says the Association’s research should set alarm bells ringing about how WorkChoices could impact on nurses’ pay packets.

‘When you replace the rhetoric with cold hard figures, the true intentions of the government’s new laws are revealed. Nurses would be much, much worse off under the government’s preferred form of agreement – individual contracts – than they would be under a union-negotiated award,’ he said.

‘AWAs are insidious and can be packaged in a way where they look superficially attractive with higher base rates of pay than the award.

But when you factor in the various allowances in awards plus wage increases gained through collective action and stack that up against an AWA over its five-year life, the figures speak for themselves.’

N

g A Treasury document advising Peter Costello that wage rises for Australian working families are likely to be lower in the future under WorkChoices leaves the Federal Government’s arguments for workplace change in tatters, says the ACTU.

ACTU Secretary Greg Combet.

T

he report says John Howard’s Industrial Relations changes will mean ‘increases in minimum wages are likely to be lower’ and that this will ‘slow award wage growth and flow on’ to other workers.

‘These documents prove that the Howard Government has known all along that its Industrial Relations changes would lead to lower wage rises, cuts in the take-home pay of workers and more pressure on working families,’ said ACTU Secretary Greg Combet.

‘The Treasury has also confirmed that there is no economic case or justification for the Government’s new IR laws.’

The Treasury reports found: c Productivity is likely to be ‘suppressed’ by the Government’s plans to push down award wages c There is no evidence that the Government’s efforts to push more workers onto individual contracts will improve productivity because there is ‘no clear difference in productivity gains between collective and individual agreements’ and

Treasurer Peter Costello.

c

Government claims that jobs growth will be boosted by IR changes are misleading because any employment gains would be ‘not huge in the context of recent history’.

‘These documents prove that the Howard Government has known all along that its industrial relations changes would lead to lower wage rises, cuts in the take-home pay of workers and more pressure on working families.’

The Treasury analysis is confirmed by independent commentators. Rory Robertson, an economist with Macquarie Bank, told the Sydney Morning Herald: ‘It’s pretty obvious that there will be downward pressure on the wages of the lowest paid members of the labour force.’ n THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 21

s

INNE DWUSS TI R N I AB LR II ES FS U E S

NSW Government challenges Howard’s IR attack

John Della Bosca, NSW Minister for Industrial Relations

The NSW Government has promised to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Unions NSW to honour all wages, salaries and conditions in agreements, regardless of the federal legislation. It also promises to retain the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

T

Premier of NSW, Morris Iemma

22 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

he NSW Government has started its High Court challenge against the Federal Government’s WorkChoices laws and has vowed to use its powers to minimise their adverse impact on NSW employees.

The state government will argue in the High Court that the Howard Government has exceeded its powers under the Australian constitution.

Other state governments have indicated they will follow NSW’s lead. The High Court challenge is expected to be heard in the first half of 2006.

‘The case we will put before the High Court will demonstrate that the Howard Government has misused its authority in conducting a hostile takeover of powers that are constitutionally vested in the states,’ the NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, said.

‘The Iemma Government is mounting this challenge to protect workers and their

families, small business owners and farmers who will all suffer if this unconstitutional law is allowed to stand.’

The NSW Government will also contest what it describes as ‘unprecedently broad regulation making powers set out in the WorkChoices Act’, which allow Federal Workplace Relations Minister, Kevin Andrews, to modify the laws and unilaterally close any loopholes in their application.

Protecting nurses and other emergency workers The NSW Government says it is also looking at other measures to minimise the harmful impact of WorkChoices on NSW employees.

‘The (NSW) Government has received advice that close to half the public sector will not be covered by WorkChoices, unless the state refers its powers,’ said John Della Bosca.

‘A Iemma Labor government will not jeopardise vital frontline services by condemning nurses, police, firefighters and other personnel

to the Commonwealth’s unfair and conflict-ridden workplace model.’

The NSW Government has also promised to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Unions NSW to honour all wages, salaries and conditions in agreements, regardless of the federal legislation. It also promises to retain the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

It’s only good news for some NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes says he welcomes the news from the state government but remains cautious.

‘Until we see the legislation underpinning the promises we need to continue to prepare ourselves for the introduction of WorkChoices for all our membership,’ he said.

‘In any case, even if our public sector members are given some protection, we must still stand together with the more than 20,000 of our members who will not receive any protection.’ n

NURSES’ RIGHTS

Worth fighting for

Politicians feel online heat

g The ACTU’s campaign website has proved a useful tool to convince our politicians they must stand up for our rights at work.

Sharan Burrow, ACTU President

A Barnaby Joyce, Nationals Senator

mong all the activities over the last few months by union members in defence of their rights at work – workplace actions, rallies and television ads – one of the more interesting and innovative approaches has been the use of the internet.

Taking its cue from some successful American online campaigns, unions acting through the ACTU, set up a ‘Your Rights At Work’ website late last year, which had an immediate impact.

A phenomenal 85,189 people signed a petition and wrote comments asking National’s Senator Barnaby Joyce to cross the floor on WorkChoices.

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ACTU President Sharan Burrow presented the 6000-page document to Senator Joyce on 28 November in Parliament House.

A second campaign to get workers to send submissions to the Senate Inquiry into WorkChoices started with a modest goal of collecting 200 submissions. That was eclipsed within a few hours and over the five days of the campaign more than 5000 people made submissions to the Inquiry.

In a third campaign nearly 1500 people made calls to Coalition Senators in their state asking them to do the right thing and cross the floor on WorkChoices.

The site offers other possibilities for union members and supporters to join the nationwide campaign against WorkChoices: c you can donate to a fund so unions can run more television ads to inform the public about the impact of the government’s changes. c there is a box of campaign tools with posters, flyers, info packs and other resources to help you spread the message about the need to protect our rights at work.

The site is worth a regular visit to keep in touch with the latest activities: http://www.rightsatwork.com.au/ n

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EgdjY id WZ i]Z aVlnZgh [dg i]Z CZl Hdji] LVaZh CjghZh¼ 6hhdX^Vi^dc# THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 23

Members – Sign up a new member and go in the draw to win a fabulous trip to

HAWAII!

WIN A TRIP TO PARADISE Prize Includes; Return Airfares for 2 to Honolulu (ex Sydney) flying Hawaiian Airlines 3 nights accommodation Hawaii Prince Hotel, Waikiki 3 nights accommodation Maui Prince Hotel, Maui Prize includes inter island flights, return airport/C OMPE TITION hotel transfers CLO 30 JU SES NE 20 06

WIN DAVID JONES VOUCHERS Once you have recruited 4 new members to the NSWNA, you will be awarded a $20 David Jones voucher, and for every member after that you’ll receive a further $5 voucher. It’s that easy!

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORMS

HURRY – CALL THE ASSOCIATION NOW FOR YOUR RECRUITMENT KITS! PH: 8595 1234 (METROPOLITAN AREA) 24 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 OR 1300 367 962 (NON-METROPOLITAN AREA) OR GO TO www.nswnurses.asn.au

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INNE DWUSS TI R N I AB LR II ES FS U E S

Win for part-time nurses g You may have more long service leave than you thought!

THE DIFFERENCE

CAN BE WORTH

THOUSANDS Here is an example of the difference between the two methods of calculation.

A part-time nurse’s contracted hours are 16 hours per week.

Her actual hours worked have averaged 22 per week over 10 years.

She decides to take two months’ long service leave and is a RN Year 8.

Nurse should get paid:

$5,780

Instead she gets

$4,070

She is shortchanged:

$1,710

You can see what a difference the extra shifts make! * Example only; amounts are rounded.

P

art-time nurses in the public health system may be entitled to a lot more long service leave than is currently recorded on their payroll record.

NSW Health has finally agreed that part-timers’ entitlements to long service leave (LSL) should be calculated according to the number of hours actually worked each year, rather than the number of hours set out in the part timer’s contract of employment.

The NSW Nurses’ Association negotiated for months to get the department to agree to this, said NSWNA Assistant General Secretary, Judith Kiejda.

‘The agreement means some parttimers are now entitled to many more hours of leave (or thousands more dollars if LSL is paid out) than previously advised by their payroll office,’ Judith said.

‘Any nurse who worked part-time and was paid for more hours worked than their contracted hours is potentially affected.

‘Those most affected are nurses who have worked consistently more hours than their contract over a period of time and didn’t have their contracted hours increased on the payroll system to reflect this.

‘Area Health Services are now obliged to recalculate leave balances on

request from any employee who is or has worked part-time.

‘If you have moved Area Health Services, it is your current employer who must contact and resolve your correct entitlement with the previous employer.’

The Public Health System Nurses and Midwives (State) Award has been changed to reflect the new obligations of the employer (see award clause 33 (xi) for details).

Judith described the agreement as an important win for women, who form the majority of part-timers, and workers who have mixed full time/part-time/casual work patterns.

‘This is exactly the sort of important detail that the Howard Government doesn’t want to see written down in workers’ agreements,’ she said.

The government wants to replace the current detailed awards with just five minimum conditions – a minimum hourly rate of pay, 10 days sick leave, four weeks annual leave, unpaid parental leave and a maximum number of weekly working hours.

‘Without being able to rely on detailed award standards, many working people will be forced to negotiate with their employer for even the most basic rights and conditions they currently take for granted,’ Judith said. n

HOW TO GET YOUR LSL RECALCULATED rite to your payroll office requesting that your leave be recalculated and a breakdown of your corrected entitlements sent to you.

You can use the sample letter on the Members’ Only section of the NSWNA website, www.nswnurses.asn.au.

If you are now working full time or casually, you are still entitled to the recalculation if your part-time service forms part of your long service leave entitlement.

W

Any nurse who ceased employment before 5 December 2005 (the date the award was changed) may also apply to their former employer to have their LSL checked and recalculated.

NSW Health issued instructions to Area Health Services in policy directive number IB2005_063. The directive is available on the NSW Health website – www.health.nsw. gov.au/policies/ib/2005/pdf/IB2005_ 063.pdf

Point this out to your payroll office if you have any difficulties getting your leave recalculated.

If there is any dispute over how many hours you actually worked and you have records (eg. blue book) these can be used to help determine your correct entitlement.

If any records are ‘lost’, your employer must consult you first to discuss what the actual hours of work have been.

THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 25

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

d E A N W S N

LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN NURSING – 1 DAY Target Group – All Nurses

BASIC FOOT CARE FOR AINS – 1 DAY

May 17

Target Group – AINs May 24

NSWNA

June 8

Sutherland

Members: $101 Branch Officials: $87.50

August 21

Newcastle

NSWNA

Members: $85 Branch Officials: $74

Non members: $175

MANAGING AGGRESSION IN THE WORKPLACE – 1 DAY Target Group – All Nurses August 7

Target Group – RNs and ENs

Members: $85 Branch Officials: $74

March 27 & 28 Westmead

August 17 & 18

April 6 & 7 Wagga Wagga

Sept 20 & 21

May 8 & 9

Oct 16 & 17 Coffs Harbour

June 22 & 23

Dubbo

Members: $203.50 Branch Officials: $175

NSWNA

Sutherland

Nov 21 & 22

Tamworth

Non members: $350

NSWNA Newcastle

Members: $85 Branch Officials: $74

August 24

Westmead

Non members: $226

LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES FOR NURSES – ½ DAY Target Group – RNs and ENs NSWNA

August 2

April 20

Gosford

Sept 8

May 8

Westmead

October 19

June 19

Newcastle

Nov 16

Members: $39.50 Branch Officials: $28 26 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

May 26

Coraki

June 21

Westmead Randwick

Sept 28

Wagga Wagga

October 9 November 8

NSWNA Newcastle

Non members: $85

Bathurst

October 23

March 15

Non members: $226

Target Group – RNs only

Members: $39.50 Branch Officials: $28

Target Group – All Nurses

June 6

NSWNA

NURSE MANAGER SEMINAR: LEGAL & INDUSTRIAL ISSUES – ½ DAY

August 30

BULLYING IN THE WORKPLACE – 1 DAY April 6

Non members: $226

October 27 Batemans Bay

BASIC FOOT CARE FOR RNS AND ENS – 2 DAYS

Newcastle

October 11 Coffs Harbour

Goulburn Coffs Harbour

NURSING FORUMS: CURRENT ISSUES – 1 DAY Target Group – All Nurses Aged Care Nurses Forum 26 May NSWNA

Practice Nurses Forum 15 September NSWNA

Mental Health Nurses Forum 25 August NSWNA

Drug and Alcohol Nurses Forum 27 October NSWNA

Members: $30 Branch Officials: $28

Non members: $50

NSWNA Wagga Wagga

Non members: $85

All nursing students concession rate of $10.00

6TH PROFESSIONAL ISSUES CONFERENCE – 1 DAY June 2006

Sydney

a l e C n d n o ar 200 i t a c u 6 EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST EDUCATION REFERENCE GROUP OF THE PROFESSIONAL ISSUES COMMITTEE (PIC) We are seeking expressions of interest from any NSWNA members working in Nursing Education or who have an education component to their role to join our Education Reference Group

issues in regard to Nursing Education, and responds to professional issues in the speciality area requested by Council through the PIC. Enquiries: Susan Taylor, Professional Officer Education Phone: 02 8595 1234 e-mail: staylor@nswnurses.asn.au

The reference group supports the activities of the Professional Issues Committee (PIC) of the NSWNA, advises the Council of the NSWNA through PIC on professional

TAX INVOICE & COURSE REGISTRATION FORM 2006 Name

Membership No Non Member

Place of Employment Position:

DON

Address (Work

NUM or Home

RN

EN

AIN

OTHER

) Post Code

Phone (work)

Phone (home)

Mobile

To register complete this form and enclose cheque, money order or credit card details and return to: NSW Nurses’ Association, PO Box 40, Camperdown NSW 1450 or fax 9550-3667.

COURSE NAME

SEMINAR DATES

TOTAL AMOUNT Amount $

Cheque/Money Order

Bankcard

$ (INCLUDES GST)

$ Mastercard Expiry date

Signature:

Visa /

Name of card owner if not your own

For additional courses or enquiries contact NSWNA Metro: 8595-1234 or Rural: 1300 367 962

THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 27

INNE DWUSS TI R N I AB LR II ES FS U E S

@ ts

s NEED Righ rse

Work

te Hospital Nu riva

s

P

Private hospital nurses’ campaign heats up g Negotiations need to intensify to win pay parity and protection of existing rights

N

SWNA negotiations with private hospital employers are moving into top gear in February, reflecting the determination of the Association and members to achieve agreement of members’ claims in the Private Hospital Nurses’ Equal Rights Campaign.

Private hospital members are seeking the same rates of pay and other conditions as public hospital nurses.

‘What we’re asking for is very basic and fair – private hospital nurses want fair pay and conditions for the hard work they do.

unable to explain the implications of the laws for nurses. What is certain is that some conditions that private hospital nurses have already won are now under

CLAIMS IN THE PRIVATE HOSPITAL NURSES’ EQUAL RIGHTS CAMPAIGN c Pay parity with public hospital nurses c Introduction of the ENmedication classification and wage rate c No AWAs c Right of entry for NSWNA officers c Rights for NSWNA delegates

The NSWNA has had nine meetings with representatives of private hospital employers since negotiations commenced in November 2005.

c Protection of existing conditions in legally enforceable documents

Agreement needed before WorkChoices kicks in

c Legally enforceable right to a reasonable workload

In the face of an uncertain and hostile climate created by the Federal Government’s new IR laws, the NSWNA aims to achieve agreement with private hospital employers before the legislation comes into affect, which may be as soon as March 2006.

According to NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda, there is uncertainty about when WorkChoices will come into affect and its implications for nurses.

‘It’s no wonder there is uncertainty when Howard’s own ministers are 28 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

c Continuing education allowance and study leave c Paid parental leave c Increased in-charge and on-call allowance rates c 10-hour breaks between shifts.

threat by the WorkChoices legislation. They will not be allowed to be included in future enterprise agreements.

‘Therefore, it is paramount that we achieve an enterprise agreement with private hospital employers before the laws come into effect.

‘What is certain is that many conditions that private hospital nurses have already won are now under threat by the WorkChoices legislation.’

What private hospital nurses are seeking ‘What we’re asking for is very basic and fair – private hospital nurses want equal pay and conditions for the hard work they do,’ said Judith.

The NSWNA recently conducted phone interviews with 200 members to confirm the campaign claims (see box out). Private hospital nurses indicated that the same pay and conditions as public hospital nurses is a top priority.

Private hospital nurses are seeking a 14.7% pay rise over two years and eight months to bring them in line with public hospital nurses.

The NSWNA is expecting a further response from private hospital employers to members’ claims in early February 2006.

‘Private hospital employers Ramsay and Healthscope have pledged to maintain existing conditions, but they still need to pay the full public sector increases and meet members’ claims for improved conditions.

For more information on the Private Hospital Nurses’ Equal Rights Campaign visit the NSWNA website: www.nswnurses.asn.au n

STOP PRESS

RAMSAY AND HEALTHSCOPE LEAD THE WAY

CALVARY COMES ON BOARD At the time of printing, Calvary Riverina Private Hospital at Wagga Wagga offered nurses an agreement providing wage parity with public hospital nurses (after six-months’ delay), following a year of negotiations.

The Calvary offer includes: 1. An enterprise agreement will be in force until 30 December 2008; 2. Wage and salary-related allowance increases, matching the public hospital nurses’ increases, but with a delay of 6 months c 3% increase from the first pay period from 1 July 2005 (already paid); c 3% increase from the first pay period after 1 January 2006 (already paid);

Branch members at Healthscope Dubbo Private Hospital

g Hospital employers pledge no changes without consent

c 4% increase from the first pay period after 1 January 2007; and c 4% increase from the first pay period after 1 January 2008.

3. Increase in paid maternity and adoption leave from six weeks to nine weeks; 4. Introduction of a new Continuing Education Allowance; 5. Incorporation of the existing On-call Allowance provisions as per the Public Nurses’ Award provisions; 6. New Reasonable Workload provisions for nurses; and 7. An intention not to vary the wages or conditions during the life of the Agreement, ensuring protection against the Federal Government’s new IR legislation.

Members at Calvary Hospital will be voting on whether to endorse the offer at a branch meeting on 1 February 2006.

Calvary Hospital branch members

ustralia’s biggest private hospital employers have promised they will not change existing employment conditions for two years despite new federal industrial laws which promote reduced conditions.

Ramsay and Healthscope issued letters to staff and the NSW Nurses’ Association, following a request from the NSWNA to provide nurses protection of their existing employment conditions.

Ramsay Health Care said the company intended to be ‘a fair, competitive and predictable employer’.

‘To provide staff with certainty during this time of change and uncertainty, I can confirm that it is Ramsay’s intention to maintain existing terms and conditions of the current state awards and agreements for a period of two years (unless mutually agreed changes are incorporated into them),’ wrote Ramsay’s Group Human Resources Manager, Gavin O’Meara.

‘Any changes to current awards or renewal of agreements will occur as they have always occurred, following negotiations with the relevant union and employees,’ he wrote.

Ramsay employs more than 20,000 people at its 69 hospitals and five aged care facilities across Australia.

Healthscope State Manager Paul Waterson also wrote to the Association in December stating its commitment to ‘continue to apply all the terms and conditions of the current award unless Healthscope and the NSWNA negotiate an Agreement to vary it before 2007’.n

A

MONA HAM SCHOLARSHIP Can Assist (the Cancer Patients Assistance Society of NSW) has pleasure in offering Mona Ham Scholarships to each of the following categories: • Registered Nurses Studying Oncology • Medical Radiation Physics Students • Medical Radiation Therapy Students.

Ad-monaham-2.indd 1

The Scholarships (up to $5,000) are offered to students who have rural links, who require financial assistance for their studies or program, in acknowledgement of our commitment to our rural patients.

Ms Judith Harris Chief Executive Officer Cancer Patients Assistance Society of NSW

Guidelines for applications are available from:

Closing Date for 2006 Mona Ham Scholarships is 28 February 2006

Telephone: (02) 9362 3429 Email: jharris@cancerpatients.com.au

THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 29 27/1/06 9:14:10 AM

INNE DWUSS TI R N I AB LR II ES FS U E S

@ ts

s NEED Righ rse

Work

te Hospital Nu riva

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P

Urgent action needed now ‘If your branch has yet to organise a meeting to endorse the campaign, it’s important you do so as soon as possible. It’s also important that all members attend their branch meetings.

The more members we have who are prepared to get active and behind the campaign, the more powerful we will be in our negotiations.’

N

SWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda said the success of the Private Hospital Nurses’ Equal Rights Campaign relies on private hospital members getting active at their workplaces.

As part of the campaign, the NSWNA strongly urges all private hospital branches across NSW to organise a meeting and pass resolutions endorsing the actions of the NSWNA negotiating team in pursuing the claims that are important to members.

Many branches have already held meetings and passed such resolutions, indicating to private hospital employers their determination to achieve the campaign claims.

‘If your branch has yet to organise a meeting to endorse the campaign, it’s important you do so as soon as possible. It’s also important that all members attend their branch meetings.

The more members we have who are prepared to get active and behind the campaign, the more powerful we will be in our negotiations,’ said Judith.

Private hospital members are also encouraged to wear the campaign badges and armbands at work.

‘Wearing a campaign badge shows employers that member are behind the campaign, and informs patients and the public that nurses are seeking fair pay and conditions for their valuable work,’ she said. n

WESTMEAD PRIVATE SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE TO EMPLOYERS ore than 30 members at Westmead Private Hospital – including two new members who signed up to join the Association – attended a branch meeting on 23 January to pass a resolution endorsing the Private Hospital Nurses’ Equal Rights Campaign.

Chrissy Eleponga, RN, joined the NSWNA team in gathering members for the meeting. ‘It was an exciting meeting.

Members are really behind the

M

Chrissy Eleponga

30 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

campaign and gave their unaminous support to the NSWNA team,’ she said.

‘My main concern is wage disparity between private and public hospital nurses.

I think we should be equal with the Public Hospitals because we do the same work.’

Chrissy is actively taking part in the Private Hospital Nurses’ Equal Rights Campaign by encouraging non members to join the union. ‘I talk to them about how we are fighting for our wages and the future income of nurses – this encourages young men and women to become nurses. It’s important that we all belong to the union so that we all get the same wages and conditions,’ she said.

‘Members received the campaign badges and Rights At Work armbands at the meeting and we’re proudly wearing them to show our support for the campaign.’

A Reasonable Workload is a top priority in the Private Hospital Nurses’ Equal Rights Campaign

6 steps to address excessive nurse workloads in private hospitals A reasonable workload is your right Private hospital nurses have a right to a reasonable workload. OHS legislation provides for safe systems of work and can be used to support workloads issues.

If you are experiencing workload problems in your workplace, the following steps should be used.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Nurses identify there is an ongoing workloads problem at their facility.

3 Nurses raise the problem with their manager.

3

If the manager does not address the issue, nurses inform their NSWNA branch executive. If you do not have a branch contact the NSWNA*. The branch needs to start collecting evidence to measure nurse workloads on each shift. This should include staffing levels, skills mix, the number of agency and casual staff, patient acuity and the duties required. A good way to do this is with a workloads diary that is handed over shift to shift.

3 After a reasonable period (often 3 months), the branch presents the documented evidence to management and the workplace OHS committee, and asks that the issue be addressed. Note agreed action in writing.

3 If the matter is not resolved, the NSWNA conducts a workplace inspection to examine safe work practices or other actions, depending on the specific case.

3 If the problem is still not adequately addressed, the NSWNA may advise the facility that further action could be considered.

A U T H O R I S E D B Y N S W N A G E N E R A L S E C R E TA R Y B R E T T H O L M E S .

* At any point in the process, members can seek assistance or advice from the NSWNA. Phone: 1300 367 962 or 02 8595 1234.

THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 31

STATE SUPER SAS Trustee Corporation STC advertorial

SASS and SSS Members “I want to retire soon — what do I need to do?”

Check your statement for an estimate of your benefit, or visit the web to gain a quote of your benefit or to request a quote.

Contact Centrelink about Commonwealth benefits — ring 132 300.

Think about options available, ie. a lump sum or pension — call for a free personal interview (see outside back cover for details).

Obtain financial planning advice. We recommend you do this before completing any forms. Changes to payment instructions may delay processing.

Write to your employer informing them of your intention to retire and the date you plan to retire.

The scheme administrator (Pillar Administration) needs to have the following information to process a retirement claim: (a) An application form— see form details below. (b) Tax file number (TFN). It is not compulsory to provide this, but if you do not supply your TFN, your benefit must be taxed at the highest marginal tax rate.

(c) Proof of your age evidenced by an original or certified copy of, for example, your birth certificate or current RTA photo driver’s licence. Certified means sighted by a Justice of the Peace or a Solicitor and signed as a true copy of the original. (d) Employer’s advice that you have ceased employment (this is provided direct by your employer to Pillar). (e) Between ages 55–60, release of all of a benefit is generally subject to confirmation that you have retired permanently from the workforce. (f) Between ages 60–65, advice would be required that you are leaving or changing employment.

Forms SASS form 412, Application for payment or deferral of a SASS benefit.

SSS form 512, Application for payment or deferral of SSS benefits.

For more information, see Retiring or Resigning?, STC fact sheet 5.

Use EFT for faster payment Members can have their benefit payment credited to their bank or credit union account by Electronic Funds Transfer instead of the traditional mailed cheque.

Like more information?

Fact Sheets

Contact Centre

See the fact sheets on the web (under your scheme and/or Publications) www.statesuper.nsw.gov.au or call the Contact Centre for a copy.

(8.30 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday) SASS members: call 1 300 130 095 SSS members: call 1 300 130 096

This information is provided as an overview. For more information refer to your scheme fact sheets, available from Customer Service or the web.

Reasonable care has been taken in producing the information in this advertorial and nothing in it is to be regarded as personal advice. If there is any inconsistency between this advertorial and the relevant scheme legislation, the scheme legislation will prevail.

Neither the SAS Trustee Corporation nor its respective Boards or officers will be liable for any decision taken on the basis ofLAMP information shown or omitted from this advertorial. Members should seek professional advice before making 32 THE FEBRUARY 2006 decisions which may affect their future.

STC_RET_11/05 LAMP FEB06

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A G E N D A

Dr Death scandal reveals flawed system

Dr Jayant Patel

g Inquiry praises NUM, condemns Health bureaucrats

T

he Queensland inquiry into the trail of death left by Dr Jayant Patel has recommended the surgeon’s direct superiors in Bundaberg face criminal charges.

However it is unlikely Patel, believed to be in hiding in the United States, will be brought to justice any time soon.

The inquiry found that Patel’s lack of care contributed to at least 13 deaths.

It recommended he be charged with manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, assault, negligence and fraud.

The state Police Commissioner, Bob Atkinson, said that police were grappling with the size and complexity of the case and still have not yet applied to extradite Patel from the United States.

The Queensland Public Hospitals Commission of Inquiry recommended that the Director of Medical Services at Bundaberg Base Hospital, Darren Keating, and the Bundaberg District Health Manager, Peter Leck, be prosecuted by Queensland’s Crime and Misconduct Commission for official misconduct.

The inquiry’s chairman, Geoff Davies, criticised the two men, who succeeded in shutting down the original Morris inquiry into Patel via

a legal challenge, for being careless or incompetent in failing to act on complaints against Patel.

The Beattie Government, already under pressure to fix a crumbling health system, was criticised by the inquiry for concealing the extent of hospital waiting lists. The Queensland Health Minister resigned from Cabinet over the scandal.

A statement by Premier Beattie, in which he spoke of his government’s openness and accountability, was ‘inconsistent with the facts’, the inquiry found.

Mr Davies said the scandal might never have been revealed and acted upon had it not been for the efforts of three people.

The most important of these was ‘whistleblower’ Ms Toni Hoffman, the NUM of the Intensive Care Unit. ‘It was her courage and persistence which, in the face of inaction and even resistance, brought the scandalous conduct of Dr Patel to light,’ he said.

Mr Davies also praised National Party MP Rob Messenger who raised Ms Hoffman’s complaints in Parliament and reporter Hedley Thomas of The Courier-Mail who investigated the scandal and first publicly revealed Dr Patel’s ‘discreditable past’ in the United States.

‘A chapter of negligent mistakes’ Mr Davies said the history of Bundaberg Base Hospital showed ‘a gradual deterioration of what was once an efficient, safe hospital providing reasonable care to one which was inefficient, unsafe and incapable of providing reasonable care.’

He said Patel’s registration and appointment occurred through ‘a chapter of negligent mistakes’ by the Medical Board and hospital administrators.

Indian-born Patel held a restricted licence issued in the US State of Oregon.

The restriction was imposed upon him as a disciplinary measure. He also had been forced to surrender his New York licence following disciplinary proceedings against him.

Both the Medical Board and Queensland Health failed to check the credentials Patel submitted. And Leck and Keating failed to have Patel assessed by a committee of his peers as required by Queensland Health policy and guidelines.

Both the Medical Board and Queensland Health failed to check the credentials Patel submitted.

In Patel’s 24 months at Bundaberg, staff or patients made over 20 complaints about him. It was ‘a gross dereliction of duty’ by Leck and Keating not to have investigated these complaints.

Mr Davies said Leck and Keating ‘saw themselves as running a business of providing hospital services…Patient care and safety was not a relevant factor.’

‘They were not solely at fault for this for that is how Queensland Health officers also saw their role. Indeed, the terminology used was that Queensland Health was “purchasing medical services” from the hospitals and that patients were “consumers” of these services.’

Mr Davies said the hospital budget contributed to the scandal in two ways.

Leck and Keating saw Patel as a considerable asset because without the high number of operations he performed, the hospital would not have been able to achieve its elective surgery target as dictated by the budget.

And the budget was too low to afford a surgeon with Australian specialist qualifications who would normally fill the position of director of surgery. n THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 33

s

N U E W R SS E S I NI NB RAI CE TF I O N

Behind the theatre doors g The Lamp scrubbed up to see what perioperative nurses get up to behind those operating theatre doors, in our ongoing series on specialist nursing.

T

o most people outside the perioperative world, surgery is a bit of a mystery behind the closed doors of the operating theatre. It conjures up images of nurses and doctors in their scrub greens, poised over a patient with their internal organs exposed, while machines and medical instruments beep and whirr with the patient’s vital signs.

Nursing director of the operating suites at Prince of Wales and the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Phyllis Davis 34 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

But it’s no mystery to Phyllis Davis, who is the nursing director of the operating suites at Prince of Wales and the Sydney Children’s Hospital and has worked in the field for over 21 years.

She says it’s a multi-skilled and highly disciplined specialty. ‘As a perioperative nurse, you’ve got to be able to care for an unconscious patient – they could be two-years-old or 98years-old. You’ve got to understand the complexities of surgery, you’ve got to understand the equipment because we’re in a technological age,’ she said.

Attracted by the drama and cuttingedge technology, perioperative nursing is now one of the most popular choices for new graduates. It gets a good profile on hospital TV shows and on the news, which helps attract new recruits.

Prince of Wales allows new graduates to specialise in perioperative straight after graduation, rotating through anaesthetic, scrub and recovery nursing throughout the year.

The drama is definitely there, as accident and emergency victims can arrive at any time needing major, life-saving surgery.

But Phyllis says it’s only one facet of the job. ‘Yes, it is dramatic when you have a trauma or emergency but at the end of the day there’s always a person that we’re caring for. Sometimes we try and save a life and sometimes we can’t.

But there’s always a patient there, and a family as well,’ she said.

Perioperative nurses are often accused of not getting to know their patients very well. But according to Phyllis, this is one of the myths associated with the specialty.

‘I think perioperative nurses get to know their patients in different ways. We certainly see our patients in the holding bay, so we actually do get to talk to our patients,’ she said.

She points out that perioperative nurses also have a fair amount of interaction with patients’ relatives, who are sometimes in shock to find their loved one needing life-saving surgery. ‘It is more profound in a trauma or an acute situation, where the relatives might need a lot more support.’

Surgery is, of course, an unpredictable event and there is always the potential for patients to rapidly decline for no apparent reason. ‘You do learn how to get the job done and keep it together and keep the team together for the well-being of the patient,’ says Phyllis.

While nurses must keep their cool in the operating room, debriefing is

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important to reflect on the sadness of losing a patient.

‘If something sad has happened, perhaps a child has died, we get together and talk and I say, we must cry for this patient and their family because the day we can’t cry for our patients is the day we’re not giving 150% care.”

‘Perioperative nursing is a fabulous specialty.

There’s variety, there’s drama, you’ve got to constantly challenge yourself to keep up with procedures and equipment, you’re constantly learning and working in a team. The whole team is there for the patient.’

Phyllis jokes that, as nursing director, she’s now in the ‘ivory tower’ of management. ‘It’s big picture stuff: managing policies, budget, and a team of operating theatre managers, meeting with staff.’ But she’s well placed to manage the team, having worked for years in the theatre herself. She’s an active member of a number of professional operating theatre groups, and is also helping Papua New Guinean nurses in Port Moresby set up their own operating theatre group. Papua New Guinea is a developing country and equipment is very basic, says Phyllis.

‘But they have an enormous thirst for knowledge – they want to do things the best they can with what they’ve got.’

Surgery is a remarkable accomplishment of modern health science, something not lost on most perioperative nurses.

‘I think it’s a fabulous specialty,’ says Phyllis. ‘There’s variety, there’s drama, you’ve got to constantly challenge yourself to keep up with procedures and equipment, you’re constantly teaching someone, you’re constantly learning and working in a team. The whole team is there for the patient.’ n

The Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (RRPA$82.50) is a must-have resource for nurses and health professionals, containing over 40,000 terms and definitions and over 2200 full colour illustrations.

The NSWNA has 10 copies to give away of this substantial, comprehensive, full colour health sciences dictionary – the first published in Australia and New Zealand.

The Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions is edited by Peter Harris MBBS, FRACGP; Senior Lecturer in Clinical Education, School of Public Health & Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW; Sue Nagy PhD, BA (Hons) FCN(NSW), FRCNA, Adjunct Professor, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW; and Nicholas Vardaxis PhD, BSc (Hons) Associate Professor in Pathology & Pathology Unit Leader, School of Medical Science, RMIT University, VIC. For your chance to win a Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions, write your name, address and membership number on the back of an envelope and send it to: Mosby’s Dictionary Giveaway, PO Box 40, Camperdown 1450.

10% DISCOUNT EXCLUSIVE

TO NSWNA MEMBERS To receive a 10% discount on the Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions , contact Elsevier toll free on 1800 263 951, or fax 02 9517 2249 and quote EKDICT0106. For further information, visit www.elsevier.com.au

THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 35

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Q & A

ASK

JUDITH I work in a private hospital and my workload is unreasonable. What can I do?

Unreasonable workloads are one of the main issues identified by members working in private hospitals. The NSWNA is seeking to address this issue in this round of wages and conditions negotiations for private hospital members covered by the Private Hospitals Nurses’ (State) Award. Our claim to management includes a clause that is simple, practical and provides a process where problems raised at a local level can be resolved at a local level.

A poster is currently being distributed by organisers and your Branch that outlines the six steps you need to take to raise a workload problem in your workplace. It is also available on our website at www.nswnurses.asn.au I am a nurse in a large and very busy private hospital and my pay is less than my friends who work at public hospitals.

I do the same work as them so why don’t I get paid the same?

The NSWNA aims to address the pay disparity between public and private nurses in this round of wages and conditions for private hospital members. After a comprehensive

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS AT WORK, NSWNA ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY JUDITH KIEJDA HAS THE ANSWERS. THIS MONTH JUDITH GIVES AN UPDATE ON PRIVATE HOSPITALS. consultation process with members, the claim that has been presented to employers includes pay parity with public hospital nurses. Pay and conditions commensurate with the public health system will recognise nurses’ commitment and dedication to the profession.

Members who work in private hospitals should encourage their colleagues to join the union. More members will help strengthen our bargaining position with employers.

My NSWNA branch has said that this round of wages and conditions for private hospitals is more difficult than usual in light of the Government’s IR changes.

What can I do to show my support for the Equal Pay and Conditions campaign?

There are many small things that private hospital members can do to participate in and support this campaign. Make an effort to attend your branch meetings. You will get upto-date information on how the negotiations are progressing. It is also important that the branch can consult with you about specific issues that arise in the negotiations. At present, all branches are asked to endorse a resolution supporting the campaign. Passing

this resolution will also show the employers that private hospital nurses are serious about their pay and conditions. You can wear an armband that symbolises opposition to the Federal Government’s WorkChoices legislation and an Equal Pay and Conditions campaign badge, both available from your branch or contact the NSWNA directly and they can be sent out to you.

What will happen if agreement is reached on pay increases and conditions improvements?

The Association is telling the private hospital employers that certainty in pay increases and conditions must be achieved before the federal legislation commences (likely to be early March, but not yet confirmed) – with these new conditions safeguarded in a legally enforceable NSW Industrial Relations Commission agreement. Due to the Federal Government’s legislation, the timing of any agreement between the Association and private hospital employers may be very tight.

Approval of any proposed agreement will be managed by the General Secretary and your NSWNA Councillors.n

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Clean hands can save lives g Red raw hands and dry, cracked skin are common among nurses who are constantly washing their hands. But hygiene doesn’t have to mean horrible hands if you use the right products and techniques.

I

t’s such a simple act but hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to help prevent infections in your patients.

Toni Schouten, a CNC in infection control at RPAH, spends a lot of time underlining the importance of hand washing. ‘Washing your hands is the utmost important thing you can do for infection control, especially for multiresistant organisms,’ she said.

‘While some bugs may be resistant to all but the most powerful antibiotics, they can still be rinsed away by a simple wash and scrub.’

Even so, for every million hospital procedures, 20,000 will result in an infection, according to NSW Health figures. Infection control nurses like Toni and NSW Health would like to see this infection rate reduced, and will be starting a campaign in January to promote the importance of washing your hands.

38 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

But nurses who are run off their feet, or who have very dry hands, may find it difficult to face another round of scrubbing in the basin. ‘Some staff have poor hand integrity and are worried hand washing could compromise the

Toni emphasises the importance of keeping your hands healthy as well as clean. After all, for nurses hands are a very important tool. Maintaining the health of your hands means you may need to pay more attention to them and make sure you moisturise after every wash.

If you’re worried about your hands, you can also benefit from looking after them on days off. Invest in a good moisturiser to use at home.

If you have very dry and cracked skin on your hands, Toni recommends visiting the

Most importantly, you should keep washing your hands, and encourage your colleagues to do so. It’s something that really can save lives. skin condition on their hands,’ said Toni.

‘So we are looking at ways to keep them washing their hands but also help them maintain their skin.’

One way to clean your hands on the run is to use an alcohol gel. You can rub a small amount of the gel on your hands without using water while you move through the wards, and the gel also contains emollients so your hands stay supple.

infection control professional at your facility, who may be able to recommend special products or techniques that can help restore your hands. ‘There are definite techniques on how to wash properly,’ says Toni.

Most importantly, you should keep washing your hands, and encourage your colleagues to do so. ‘It’s a very basic thing to do but it’s very, very important,’ said Toni.

‘It’s something that really can save lives.’ n

HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS In a lather about the best way to wash your hands? Try this technique: 1. Wet your hands first.

2. Apply a small amount of product to your wet hands. Just one pump is all you need – apply too much and you’ll be washing your hands for longer, which can make them drier in the long run.

3. Work up a lather and go over the front of your hands, your palms, fingers, thumbs, in between the fingers, the backs of your hands and your wrists.

4. Thoroughly rinse your hands to remove all traces of product. When you think you’re finished, rub your hands together to make sure no lather comes up. If lather appears, continue rinsing.

5. Gently pat your hands dry with a paper towel. Don’t rub the paper on your hands because it could irritate the skin.

6. Don’t wear too much jewellery. If you’re wearing a wedding band, make sure you wash and dry underneath.

7. Try not to contaminate your hands by touching the sink.

8. When your hands are completely dry, make sure you apply moisturiser. Remember, it’s important to keep your skin healthy as well as clean.

9. If you feel regular washing is making your hands too dry, apply moisturiser throughout the day, and also when you are at home. Speak to your infection control professional for tips on the right products to use.

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Disclaimer: This communication is prepared by FSS Trustee Corporation ABN 53 226 460 365 (FTC). It may contain general advice and is not a substitute for professional financial or other advice on your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. FTC recommends that you consider the appropriateness of information contained in this communication to your own situation and consult a licensed financial or other appropriately qualified adviser before acting. FTC also recommends that you obtain a Your Member Guide regarding First State Super (FSS) and consider the Guide before making any decision in relation to FSS. THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 39

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Jenelle and the whales

Jenelle Langham

g Outside life as a busy community mental health nurse with the Hunter/New England Area Health Service, Jenelle Langham finds sanctity in whale watching.

J

enelle Langham was standing on her terrace overlooking the ocean18 years ago when she had her first whale sighting. ‘My life changed forever. I felt the most amazing feeling. It was a very deep and joyful feeling – like nothing I’d ever experienced before,’ she said.

‘I was eight months pregnant at the time and my husband thought it was some strange aberration related to being pregnant but the feeling has stayed with me. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. Whale watching is now one of my favourite pastimes.’

Jenelle turns to whale watching to

escape the daily pressures and stresses of her job as community mental health nurse for the Hunter New England Area Health Service. She describes it as an activity that’s very good for her mental health. ‘Spending time with whales brings me a very peaceful feeling and takes me away from the day-to-day stresses and humdrum of life,’ she said.

Living in Dudley near Newcastle, Jenelle visits the beach most days during whale season, scanning the ocean for a glimpse of her beloved whales.

‘You get to know individual whales.

They’re all different and they have their own personalities. One of the most exciting moments was when a Southern Right Whale delivered her calf right where I was. She stayed here for two months until the calf grew and was strong enough to leave. It was thrilling watching the calf grow over two months,’ said Jenelle.

‘During the cooler months, I see whales most days. The most common species you see here are Humpbacks, Minkes and Southern Right Whales.’

When Jenelle has a few days off work she heads up to Nelson Bay where she enjoys whale watching cruises with fellow enthusiasts.

‘I go there about once a month and my holidays are pretty much centred around whale watching.

‘I can’t really explain why I am passionate about whales and whale

watching. There’s something very mystical about whales. According to American Indian folklore, whales are the keepers of knowledge. I really think there’s something in this.’

Jenelle may be an avid whale watching enthusiast but she’s not obsessive about her unusual pastime ‘You hear of people who speak of nothing else but their passion – be it bird watching, training spotting, whale watching. Some people get to the stage where they just associate with people who share their hobby.

‘I’m not like that. I’m not obsessive about whale watching. I think my passion is pretty much under control.

Though I think some of my friends would just describe me as a little eccentric. I also have some who share my love of whales.’

Jenelle’s regard for whales has lead to a deep concern about the impact of environmental degradation and destructive fishing practices on marine wildlife. ‘It enrages me that whales are under threat due to destruction of the environment. I think it’s repugnant that these magnificent creatures are hunted and killed, I protested when the Japanese recommenced hunting whales,’ she said.

As the NSW summer heats up and whales retreat to cooler waters in the Antarctica, Jenelle farewells her beloved whales until next Autumn. n THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 41

s

L I F E S T Y L E

Step aside Mary Poppins g Kelly Hodge gives Keeping Mum the thumbs up for its wicked humour (despite Patrick Swayze playing Patrick Swayze in a g-string)

Kelly Hodge, RN from Prince of Wales Hospital, is this month’s star reviewer.

(Maggie Smith) – a woman with a mysterious past. Prior to the arrival of this Mary Poppins, the family is slowly falling apart. The wife is ‘putting her shoes under’ her golf instructor’s bed (Patrick Swayze demonstrating that he should have retired after Ghost), the vicar is plagued by the flower committee and an identity crisis, and the kids are having puberty blues.

It has plenty of black humour and even has nursey things to enjoy, such as blunt trauma and heart attack.

O

ne of the nice things about being a NSWNA member is that one day you may get a call asking you to write a movie review. Trust me, this is more difficult (and a tad less glamorous) than it seems! Plunging into my first experience as a movie reviewer, I knew little more about the film I was to review than it’s title – Keeping Mum 42 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

– and that it starred Rowan Atkinson. So I had no idea what this film would be about, unless it was about Mr Bean and the art of taxidermy.

Let me tell you about Keeping Mum. The story follows the parish family of a small English village (the vicar is played

by Atkinson, his wife played by Kristin Scott Thomas), whose lives are shaken up with the arrival of the new housekeeper

However, with the arrival of Miss Poppins (not her name in the film, incidentally), the family’s problems are disappearing – perhaps a little too easily …

Keeping Mum is a good movie for grown-ups who like their British humour.

For the men, it has plenty of double entendres and a nymphomaniac daughter; for the women it has Patrick Swayze in a G-string, although maybe that’s not so great; and for the oldies it has lots of pretty English countryside, cups of tea, wry British humour and a grandma kicking arse.

For us nurses it has plenty of black humour and even has nursey things to enjoy, such as blunt trauma and heart attack. But this is one mainly for the grandmas, I reckon.

Overall, I enjoyed Keeping Mum and my first foray into the world of movie reviewing, especially the part where I got free tickets. Keeping Mum is a nicely made, well-cast and entertaining movie.

So I give it 3 bedpans out of 5. Go see it – especially if you get free tickets. n

WANTED STAR REVIEWERS & TIPSTERS FOR OUR REVIEW PAGES ,ÂœĂœ>˜ ĂŒÂŽÂˆÂ˜ĂƒÂœÂ˜

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Or a wild and wonderful interest or skill. Be it strange, extraordinary or useful, we'd love you to come on board as a NSWNA tipster.

We are also seeking closet film buffs to share with other nurses their views on the movies they love and hate. It’s a chance to see previews of next month’s new releases Please contact us with expressions of interest to be part of our tipster and movie review team. All published tipsters and reviewers will receive a NSWNA watch.

Be part of the action by calling Salim Barber now on 02 8595 1219 or email sbarber@nswnurses.asn.au

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nursing your future THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 43

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L I F E S T Y L E

Book me Mosby’s Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements

by Linda Skidmore-Roth, Elsevier Mosby, RRP $69.95 Mosby’s Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements acknowledges the widespread use of herbal products and other natural remedies. It provides health care professionals with current, reliable, unbiased information with which to advise clients on the responsible and intelligent use of herbal products as a part of their overall health treatment and maintenance plan. It makes available detailed information on 300 commonlyused herbal products and natural supplements – including 18 that are new to this third edition.

Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: A Guide to Planning Care

By Betty J. Ackley and Gail B. Ludwig, Elsevier Mosby, RRP $38.95 This convenient reference is an excellent teaching and learning tool that helps nurses correlate nursing diagnoses with known information about clients on the basis of assessment findings, established medical or psychiatric diagnoses, and the current treatment plan. This extensively revised and updated edition presents the most up-to-date information on all NANDA-approved nursing diagnoses. Further integration of both the NIC and NOC taxonomies, evidence-based nursing interventions, home care, client/family teaching, and multicultural and geriatric considerations enhance the book’s relevance to today’s nursing students and practitioners.

The Nurses of the LBH: Nursing Experiences and a Brief History of the Lismore Base Hospital (1883–1987) compiled by Georgette Everingham, Dragonwick Publishing For many years, Georgette Everingham organised the Lismore Base Hospital Graduate Nurses’ Reunions and, over a 10-year period, collected graduation photographs. The author has compiled all of the experiences and anecdotes gathered over these years from past nurses and published them in Nurses of the LBH.

Nursing Leadership, Management, and Professional Practice for LPN/LVN: In Nursing School and Beyond

by Mary Ann Anderson, F. A. Davis Co., RRP $22.95 The book Nursing Leadership offers a strong focus on the leadership/ management skills needed for practice in a variety of clinical settings, together with acute, subacute, long-term, community, and home care, with particular emphasis on long-term care.

Real-world case studies are included with related critical thinking exercises at the end of each chapter. Included are chapters on communication skills, team building, and making assignments.

Angels of Aceh: The Compelling Story of Operation Tsunami Assist

by Sophie York, Allen & Unwin, RRP $24.95 The Combined Australian Surgical Team-Aceh (CASTA) was one of the first foreign groups into Aceh after the terrible tsunami more than a year ago.

Angels of Aceh vividly brings the sights, smells and sounds to the reader in a way that television and news reports somehow do not. It is also, more importantly, an affirmation of the human spirit – of dignity under overwhelming pressure, of hope in adversity, and of generosity of spirit. A chronicle of an intense but brief time, this is an immensely engaging and uplifting book.

Mad As A Hatter

by Reysh Roberts, Parker Pattinson Publishing, RRP $25.95 Mad as a Hatter deals with the sensitive subject of mental illness and the daily issues confronting staff and patients in a mental hospital.

The mental hospital complications and setting are balanced with a light romantic interest involving the main character, Eva Roberts. This book subtly raises questions about aspects of providing care for people with a mental illness and also touches on the fine balance between mental illness and mental wellness. n

WHERE TO GET FEBRUARY’S NEW RELEASES These books are all available on order through the publisher or your local bookshop. Members of the NSWNA can borrow any of these books and more from our Records and Information Centre.

For borrowing information, contact Jeannette Bromfield, jbromfield@nswnurses.asn.au or Cathy Matias, 8595 1234, cmatias@nswnurses.asn.au THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 45

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Nursing Opportunities Available Now For more information visit: www.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au/nursing jobs

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46 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

OFFER EXPIRES 31 JANUARY 2006

s

CRoSSWoRD

Test your knowledge with The Lamp’s nursing crossword.

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s ACROSS 1.

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Injection that protects against disease using suspended or dead disease cells (7) Leukemia, melanoma and fibromyoma are all types of this (6) Tub where you can wash (4) Common name for the patella (7) Administering nutrients of medicine through the lower bowel (5) Help (6) A protein in the blood (8) Large type of connective tissue cell found in the heart, liver and lungs (4) To observe (3) Cease, discontinue (4) Patients often reside in these (4) Breast self-examination, abbrev (1.1.1) Children do this for fun and learning (4) A very old-fashioned and cumbersome respirator (4,4) The mind (6) Part of the eye that can be transplanted (6) Type 3 of this is found in fish and a very beneficial nutrient (5)

30.

32.

33.

A head louse (3) Mum or dad (6) A piece of connective tissue enclosing a muscle (6)

s DOWN 2.

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5.

6.

7.

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12.

19.

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Loss of memory (7) Pharmacists (8) Evidence-based practice, abbrev (1.1.1) Chemical treatment for cancer (12) Technical name for the bellybutton (6) To inspect (7) A drug that prevents of delays blood clotting (13) Elderly (4) Relating to the pulse (8) A malignant tumour in connective tissue (7) Swallow, consume (6) Loss of the ability to swallow (7) Nurse with a degree or equivalent, abbrev (1.1)

Solution page 49 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 47

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At last, a 4 year graduate entry MBBS program that allows you to continue working while you study during your first 2 years. Oceania University of Medicine in Samoa is the choice of nurses and other health professionals advancing their careers as medical doctors.

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www.mhmatrix.com 48 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006

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DIARY DATES

Conferences, seminars, meetings SYDNEY, HUNTER & ILLAWARRA Mater Centenary Functions Mass, 12 February (2.00 pm) St Mary’s Church, North Sydney Luncheon, 17 March (12 midday) Four Seasons Hotel Sydney Guest Speaker: Dr Fiona Wood, AM Cost: $90.00 per person Contact: Margaret Benjafield, 9900 7491 or mbenjafield@matersydney.com.au

NSW Day Surgery Nurses’ Assoc.

Venue: The SAN Hospital.

185 Fox Road, Wahroonga Date: 13 February Contact: Julianne Thynne, 4226 6955, jthynne@wollongongdaysurgery.com.au

SSWAHS Cardiac An holistic approach Venue: Thomas & Rachael Moore Education Centre - Liverpool Hospital Date: 14 - 17 February Contact: Julie Lagudi, (02) 9616 8153

Australian Women’s Health Nurses’ Association

Website: www.bcnc2006.com Contact: info@bcnc2006.com

(03) 9416 0899/2085, cmcdonnell@vaada.org.au

Royal Newcastle Hospital

Australasia Urological Nurses’ Society & Urological Society of Australasia Conference

‘An Australian Icon’ First Announcement Conference Dates: 11-12 March Contact: Nerida. Walker, (02) 4985 5390, nerida.walker@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

Australian Association of Gerontology Rural Conference Annual two day conference for the Australian Association of Gerontology (NSW Division & Hunter Chapter) with the theme of ‘Positive Ageing: Something to Sing About’ Venue: Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre, Greg Norman Drive, Tamworth, NSW, 2340 Date: 23 - 24 March Contact: Jane Howorth, Conference Coordinator - AAG Rural Conf., (02) 6650 9800, (02) 6650 9700 info@eastcoastconferences.com.au

Date: Friday 24 March Venue: North Sydney Harbourview Hotel Contact: Anne MacLeod 9926 8074 amacleod@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Australian Orthopaedic Nurses’ Association (AONA Inc)

8th National Breast Care Nurses’ Conf. – “DAWNING OF A NEW ERA”

Victorian Alcohol & Drug Assoc. Matrix of Diversity- the AOD Sector and Beyond Venue: Rydges Riverwalk Date: 7 - 8 February Contact: Chris McDonnell,

Diary Dates Diary Dates is a free service for members. Please send information at least two months before the event, in the same format used here – event, date, venue, contact details.

Send information to: Ms Glen Ginty Email: gginty@nswnurses.asn.au Fax: 9550 3667, mail: PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 Please double-check all information sent is correct. The Lamp cannot guarantee that the issue will always be

Reunions

AONA Annual Conference & AGM Date: 7 April Venue: Crown Plaza Parramatta Contact: Sally Goodchild, sallygoodchild@uniquejourneys.com.au

INTERSTATE VAADA Conference 2006

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.

Dubbo Base Hospital Reunion Date: 11 March, venue: TBA RSVP 31 October 2005 Bookings: Betty Salter (Brooks) 02 6882 2718 bettysalter99@hotmail.com

Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children – PTS March 1976.

30 Year Reunion. Dinner on Saturday 18

March and brunch on Sunday 19 March.

Prince of Wales, Prince Henry, Eastern Suburbs Hospitals (NEC) Date: 18 - 19 March, venue: TBA PTS 1973-1976. 30 Year Reunion Date: 1 February, venue: TBA Contact: Judy Hewitt (née Anning) 0416 032 596, judyh66@hotmail.com

Concord Hosp. Nurse Educators For educators working in the school of nursing between 1980 and 1990 Date: 1 February, venue: TBA Details: Gek 0405 103 829, Robyn 0414 763 782

Marrickville Hosp. Breakfast

Royal North Shore Hospital 3rd Sunday morning, 6 February & 30 July Annual Neuroscience Symposium

‘Looking Back Moving Forward’. Two day seminar on professional updates.

Venue: Rydges Camperdown Date: 16 - 17 February, 8am - 4:30pm Cost: Members - $65 each day or $130 for both days Non Members - $100 each day or $175 for both days Contact: Mignon Aistrope, Women’s Health CNC, (02) 4861 8085/4956, mignon.aistrope@sswahs.gov.au

In breast cancer nursing.

Venue: Star City Sydney Date: 9 - 11 March

Date: 26 - 30 March Venue: Brisbane Convention Centre Contact: www.auns.org or www.usm2006.com.au

(Saint) Jane Nichol (h\Hurley), 0417 680203, lvandenh@bigpond.net. au or sablerex@optusnet.com.au

Venue: 8.30am Mercure Airport Hotel Contact: Lynne Greenwood 9518 0780, auntylynne@bigpond.com.au

Mona Vale Hosp. – Feb 1983 group Venue: Sydney TBA, 18 February Contact: Annabelle Brkic (McColl) 6553 1006 Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Reunion – PTS March 1986 Date: 4 March, venue: TBA Contact: Sue Thompson/Leigh Thompson, suethomps1@ozemail. com, allant@ihug.com.au

Contact:Jenny Jackson, (02) 4574 0673, jentillzoe@yahoo.com.au

Prince of Wales/Prince Henry Hospitals – April ‘83 Intake Date: 1 April 2006, venue: TBA (Sydney) Details: Angela (Carroll) 6687 8444 Melissa (Jones) 6687 0537 april83reunion@hotmail.com

St. Vincent’s Hospital Sydney PTS January 1969 Date: 22-23 April 2006, venue: TBA Contact : Anne Finch ( Nee O’Grady) Phone/Fax: 9623 2345

Desperately seeking …

Where is Rosa Nicholson?

Seeking the whereabouts of Rosa Nicholson for background research for a film. Rosa Nicholson nursed in Sydney in the 1970’s.

Contact: Lisa Lloyd, Producer (Film & Drama) (02) 9805 6522, (02) 9887 1030, lisa.lloyd@aftrs.edu.au

Crossword solution

“Elm Court” Dominican Convent Moss Vale – Ex-students (many known to be nurses) late 1950’s to early 60’s for possible reunion Date: 08 March, venue: TBA Contact: Louise Van Den Hooven

STEPS Little Steps - BIG Progress Toddlers 15mths - 5yrs Caring for Families

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.

Harbourside Darling Harbour April 6th - 8th 2006

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

All Inquiries 03 5977 0244 or visit CONFERENCE & WORKSHOP

www.swsahs.nsw.gov.au/karitane

THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006 49

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For further information visit www.caiss.com.au

12/9/05 6:31:17 PM

Tony McGrane Rural Scholarship for Nursing in Reproductive Health 13th Annual Heartbeat Cardiovascular Conference “Embracing Change: Meeting the Challenges of Contemporary Cardiac Care�

Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th March, 2006, Australian Technology Park, Sydney Join us for an informative and fun 2-day programme.

Expert speakers, latest research, lively debate and 6 interactive workshops.

The conference will be of interest to all nursing and allied health cardiac practitioners.

FAMILY PLANNING NSW

Applications close March 31, 2006

For more information:

Caroline Jones • 02 8850 6796 • caroline@corpconf.com.au • www.heartbeat.org.au

Register online from 9 December, 2005 HB2006-04

Application form & information, call 1300 658 886.

This scholarship provides funding for a nurse to complete the FPA Health Post-graduate CertiďŹ cate in Sexual and Reproductive Health. $6000 will be awarded for tuition, travel and away-from-home living expenses.

Applicants must be registered nurses with at least two years post-basic experience working in rural or remote NSW, Australian citizens or permanent residents, and able to commence study in 2006.

LYMPHOEDEMA TRAINING (CPT) For Allied Health Professionals

Brenda Lee Physiotherapist

LCTS Lymphoedema Consulting and Training Services Announce Level I & II Training courses for 2006

New Zealand Nelson Hospital – Level II 6-10 March 2006 email: yvonne.ferguson@nmhs.gov.nz

New South Wales Mt Wilga Hospital, Hornsby – Level I 8-13 May, Level II 15-20 May 2006. Also November – dates to be finalised.

Anticipated Cost: $850.00

Enquiries or expressions of interest please contact: email: brendaelee@primus.com.au or Telephone: 61 2 4333 6097

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The Members Equity MasterCard

How low can you go!

Low 10.20% p.a. interest rate • Awarded ‘cheapest credit card 2006’ by Money Magazine • Low $30 annual fee, waived after year one when you spend $7,500 on purchases each year • Low fees on cash advances and other transactions

Low cost and great value for NSW Nurses’ Association members The Members Equity MasterCard is one of the best value cards in Australia, giving you both low fees AND a low interest rate. The table below shows how it compares to some other low rate credit cards.

As you can see, the Members Equity MasterCard is simply better value, PLUS your annual fee could be waived after year one^!

Company

Credit Card

Interest rate

Annual fee

ANZ Bank

Low rate MasterCard

11.75% p.a.

$58

GE Money

Low rate MasterCard

10.99% p.a.

$58

Members Equity Bank

MasterCard

10.20% p.a.

$30^

St George Bank

Starts low stays low

11.25% p.a.

$59

Virgin Money

Credit Card

12.65% p.a.

$0

This table shows interest rates and fees for a selected group of lenders and has been supplied by CANNEX. Interest rates and fees are current as at 15/12/05 and subject to change without notice. The features of these cards may vary. In some circumstances lenders (including those not shown in this table) may offer credit cards with lower rates and fees.

Call 1300 307 986 or apply online at membersequitybank.com.au ^

$30 annual fee waived after year 1 when you spend $7,500 or more on purchases each year. Interest rates are current as at 15/12/05 and are subject to change. Applications are subject to credit approval. Fees and charges apply. Terms and conditions available on request. 23771/1205

52 THE LAMP FEBRUARY 2006