The Lamp December 2009 - January 2010

lamp the

magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association

volume 66 no.11 December 2009 – January 2010

Print Post Approved: PP241437/00033

HOORAY FOR

NURSES RECOGNITION OF NURSES GROWS

Hosted by

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Kim Watkins

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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

lamp the

magazine of the NSW Nurses’ Association

volume 66 no.11 December 2009 – January 2010

Cover story 15

Print Post Approved: PP241437/00033

2009 Year in Review

HOORAY FOR

Cover

NURSES

NSWNA ad stars (clockwise from left) Scott Neirinckx, Sharon D’Souza, Kim Rodgers.

RECOGNITION OF NURSES GROWS

Photography by Fiora Sacco

News in brief

Agenda

8 8 8

28 Public and private hospitals on a par, says Productivity Commission 29 Obama’s health plan passes first hurdle

9 9 9 10 10 10 11 11 11 13 13 13 13

Robot nurses a step closer?

Roxon applauds nurses and the ANF Fewer graduate nurses offered jobs in public hospitals NSW spends least on health activities Nurses to lead research with launch of new centre WA nurses set to discharge patients Aboriginal Workforce Plan launched at The Children’s Hospital Unwelcome twist to midwife legislation reform Nurses lead in handwashing NSW nurses score well in patient survey Nurse Practitioners under-utilised, says study Wage gap for women grows US hospital embraces mobile technology Student perceptions of nursing distorted Computer game endorsed by British NHS Student nurses encouraged to apply for Union Summer

Industrial issues 22 Community nurses win paid travelling hours

Aged care 24 Ask your MP to act for aged care

Professional issues 26 Progress on national registration

Building stronger communities 32 NSWNA nurse face of ‘Better Services’ campaign

Fighting fit nurses 39 Fighting Fit Nurses lose 94kg

NSWNA matters 40 NSWNA branch news

Lifestyle 42 Movie reviews

Obituaries 44 Zenon Luczak: a gentleman with a passion for mental health 45 Judy Heron: a generous spirit

Regular columns 5 6 33 34 37 46 47 49

Editorial

by Brett Holmes Your letters to The Lamp Ask Judith What’s hot on Nurse Uncut?

Nursing research online Books Our nursing crossword Diary dates

Christmas giveaways 30 Christmas giveaways from the NSWNA

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29

32

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NSWNA COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Noel Hester T 8595 2153 NSWNA COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Laura McDonald T 8595 1258 For all Lamp editorial enquiries, letters and diary dates: Editorial Enquiries T 8595 1234 E lamp@nswnurses.asn.au M PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 THE LAMP PRODUCED BY Sirius Communications W www.siriuscommunications.com.au 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, Baradine MPS Mark Kearin, Blacktown/ Mt Druitt Hospital Roz Norman, Tamworth Base Hospital Elsie May Henson, Barraba Multi Purpose Service Peg Hibbert, Hornsby & Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital Michelle Cashman, Long Jetty Continuing Care ADVERTISING Patricia Purcell T 8595 2139 or 0416 259 845 F 9550 3667 E ppurcell@nswnurses.asn.au RECORDS AND INFORMATION CENTRE – LIBRARY To find old articles in The Lamp, or to borrow from the NSWNA library’s nursing and health collection, contact: Jeannette Bromfield, RIC Coordinator T 8595 2175 E gensec@nswnurses.asn.au THE LAMP ISSN: 0047-3936 General disclaimer The Lamp is the official magazine of the NSWNA. Views expressed in articles are contributors’ own and not necessarily those of the NSWNA. Statements of fact are believed to be true, but no legal responsibility is accepted for them. All material appearing in The Lamp is covered by copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission. The NSWNA takes no responsibility for the advertising appearing herein and it does not necessarily endorse any products advertised.

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

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4 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

s

E D I T O R I A L

BY BRETT HOLMES GENERAL SECRETARY

Recognition of nurses grows g The pressures and challenges faced by nurses arising from tighter budgets and increased demand may not have abated in 2009 but the wider community is becoming more aware of nurses’ work and roles.

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009 is drawing to a close and it is a good time to take stock of what we have achieved together during the year.

This year the Association made it a priority to show the tireless efforts and professional demeanour of nurses and to allow nurses to articulate their love of their jobs to the public.

We all know nurses are always going that extra mile to ensure quality care and are continuously being asked to do more with less – often with little appreciation.

Our TV ad campaign aimed to showcase the professional nature of nursing and the commitment of our members. With the relentless negativity in the media towards the health system, we wanted to show the enormously positive contribution of nurses to the community’s wellbeing.

I’d like to thank the nurses Kim Rodgers, Scott Neirinckx, Sharon D’Souza and midwife Edwina Eastwood who are brilliant ambassadors for the profession and the Union in these advertisements.

Similarly, a key component to our Because we care campaign, which we have been running with our colleagues in other states, has been to win recognition of the role of aged care nurses.

Better funding, better pay and increased staffing remain key objectives as we continue this campaign into 2010.

In our public health system, workloads, the lack of resources and the often bizarre decision-making of management has been the bane of our members’ lives.

Our Right Nurse campaign has been successful in exposing the tactic of the area health services to replace experienced nurses with AiNs and led to significant backdowns from area health services on the dilution in the skills mix.

The public health system award expires next year

Of course, we have maintained focus on our core business of improving pay and conditions in all sectors (see p18).

We launched two initiatives this year: one that gave nurses their own online space; and the second a cultural event that encourages nurses to express themselves through film.

We aim to translate the increased awareness by the public of what a nurse does into tangible rewards in next year’s pay and conditions campaign.

Nurse Uncut, our new blogging site, is our social media initiative that nurses can use to converse with each other in a wider realm than the workplace.

The NSWNA Nurses Short Film Festival was an exciting and entertaining event that showcased the creativity of our members.

The Award for public health system nurses is up for renewal at the end of June 2010.

We aim to translate the increased awareness by the public of what a nurse does into tangible rewards in next year’s pay and conditions campaign.

This will not be easy. The economic outlook remains uncertain after several years when the global economy has been in turmoil – even if there are recent reasons for optimism. In this environment, governments have been cautious about spending and focussed on the economic health of the nation.

Australia’s robust economic performance during these testing times has been widely attributed to the success of the Federal Government’s stimulus initiatives. We will continue to argue that investment in public health and aged care should be a major component of infrastructure spending.

Both our public health system and our aged care sector are in urgent need of increased funds for nursing.

The dwindling numbers of experienced nurses in aged care, where pay lags a long way behind the public sector, is of great concern.

Report after report documents the precarious condition of our public health system. The need for increased investment in health is obvious and it should start with the people who hold it all together – nurses and midwives.

It won’t be easy, but if we are organised and united we can improve the system and our own working lives.

I’d like to wish all members of the NSWNA a happy festive season with family and friends.n THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 5

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L E T T E R S

LETTER of the month Chris Anderson

EENs must take a stand

Mandy Short

Obsessed with audits The public hospital system has a tight agenda to implement ‘Caring Together’ with all the recommendations, ‘Essentials of Care’, ‘Between the Flags’, ‘Keeping them Safe’ and ‘EMR’ within the next six months.

At the same time, recruitment to existing vacant positions in both the nursing and non-nursing workforce has almost ground to a halt (especially in the North Coast AHS). In between the excessive amounts of overtime needed to achieve safe staffing levels at this time, we are supposed to be trained in all of the areas listed above. But there are no spare staff available to enable any sort of reasonable training at this time and there is precious little study leave available.

On top of this we have become ‘audit obsessed’. I understood that Garling was trying to get nurses back and provide them with educational opportunities.

At the moment all I see is ‘Death

by Audit’ and an unreasonable agenda. For the smaller community hospitals that have had their internal security taken away as part of the FTE restructures (to be replaced by external security half an hour away), all I can say is: Have we forgotten what happened at Kempsey and Walgett?

The Area Executive are not responding to email enquiries regarding the excessive vacancies NCAHS carries.

I think their lack of response says it all.

The community wonders why we have a nursing ‘retention rate’ problem. We have had enough.

Mandy Short, Secretary and Delegate Coffs Harbour Branch.

Mandy Short won the prize for this month’s letter of the month, a $50 David Jones voucher.

6 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

As an EEN I’m very excited about the higher level of education for ENs such as the Diploma of Nursing and Advanced Diplomas in Speciality Areas. These courses don’t come cheap. As a paying scholar doing the Upgrade to Diploma, I know what these expenses entail (just making a statement, not complaining).

My concern about having this higher education level is: Are we going to be able to work to these higher levels across all health areas? There are EENs out there who are not allowed to give a Panadol.

This is not much of an incentive to pay for upgrading your education.

The Department of Health set guidelines, which each health area interprets in different ways. Then each hospital within the health area has local policies, which can differ greatly from hospital to hospital – even some departments/wards in the same hospital have different ideas. I don’t understand why the policies cannot be uniform across a health area or even the state.

With the national registration date getting closer – not before time – will we be facing an even bigger dilemma?

If you want to work in a different state, there will be hundreds of policies out there (hopefully not too many) that will not allow EENs to work to their full competencies.

I fully understand there are certain procedures that need to be assessed and

LETTER of the month The letter judged the best each month will be awarded a $50 DJ’s voucher, courtesy of Medicraft Hill-Rom. For details on the range of hospital beds, trolleys, mattress & care solutions, please visit www.medicrafthill-rom. com or call (02) 9569 0255

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a competency standard met for RNs and EENs but for some EENs this still doesn’t allow them to perform that procedure in their workplace.

It is time for ENs and EENs to become a voice and stand up for our rights to be able to work to our education level and competency standards across all health areas within the health system.

Chris Anderson, EEN, Wyong Hospital

Michelle Baker

Treat students well As an older new graduate I wanted to reply to Penny Chaney, who wrote in the October issue of The Lamp, regarding the treatment of nursing students by some nursing staff while on practicum.

During my course I was fortunate enough to attend practicums within a variety of facilities including many community services and hospitals (both rural and city). My experience has been just as varied as my placements.

As mentioned earlier I am not a spring chicken – in fact I am 49 – and, like Penny, have experienced some forms of bullying and intimidation while on my pracs. But having said that, I have also had the privilege to work with some of the most fantastic, caring people you would ever find within our health community.

I learnt early on that by putting yourself ‘out there’, by asking lots of questions and by expressing your interest in wanting to know more, the nursing staff appreciated your enthusiasm and

Every letter published receives a 10-week 7-day trial subscription to the Herald!

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Got something to say?

Send your letters to: Editorial Enquiries email lamp@nswnurses.asn.au fax 9550 3667 mail PO Box 40 Camperdown NSW 1450 Please include a photograph along with your name, address, phone and membership number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.

were keen to help you learn. I watched as some fellow students held back and were not prepared to get in and have a go.

These students did not get the maximum benefits from their pracs.

I understand how some student nurses could be lacking the confidence to put themselves out there. I have also witnessed how the treatment by some nursing staff has negatively affected many students and I agree with Penny that calling people names is definitely not respectful for anyone. This conduct should not be tolerated. Nursing staff should be given some training in how to work with students to ensure their pracs are not only productive but also enjoyable.

Thank you to the nursing staff who made my pracs productive and enjoyable, and to those who think that student nurses are only there to relieve them from less enjoyable tasks, please change your thinking and help these students learn in a positive environment, as you just might be working alongside these nurses in the near future as co-workers.

Keep your chin up, Penny, and any others experiencing this phenomenon, as by the mere fact that you have identified the problem I believe you will make a great nurse who will be a positive influence on future student nurses in order for them to gain the most out of their pracs.

My philosophy in my post-grad year is to treat every student nurse exactly as I would have wanted to be treated in order for them to have a great experience.

We never stop learning and if it is a positive experience we are more likely to remember things.

Good luck Penny – don’t give up, as it’s worth it in the end.

Michelle Baker, RN, Dudley Private Hospital, Orange

NEW SOUTH WALES NURSES’ ASSOCIATION

LEGAL OFFICER If you are looking for a challenge that’s different, come and join the hard working team at the NSW Nurses’ Association, the trade union which represents the industrial, organising and professional interests of over 51,000 nurses in NSW. The work involves advising and representing nurses on profession-related legal issues and appearing before the

Elizabeth Moore

Unnecessary delays by NMB I would like to thank Charles Linsell for his response to the letter by Samantha Bellamy published in the October edition of The Lamp, though would like to further voice my displeasure at my dealings with the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board (NMB).

I applied to be an RN in July 2008, after working for many years as an EEN in mental health. On the day I applied, I was informed by the NMB that it was not possible for it to register me, until they investigated the recognition of prior learning I had received for the two mental health subjects that were part of my Bachelor of Nursing degree through Charles Sturt University. I received credits for these subjects based on a course I previously completed, the Certificate IV in Mental Health Nursing.

This course was deemed by the NMB as not an appropriate reason for receiving recognition of prior learning and even though I submitted written evidence from managers, past managers and colleagues to support my application to register, and my competence in the area of mental health, the board finally decided in December 2008 – five months later – that I would be registered with restrictions on my practice. The restrictions were that I was unable to practise as an RN in the mental health setting until completion of the mental health subjects.

Nurses’ Tribunal and Coroner’s Court. The Association is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced lawyer who is committed to the trade union movement.

The following are essential criteria: c Advocacy and case management experience c Highly-developed interpersonal communication skills c A capacity to critically analyse and master a large volume of complex material c Public speaking experience.

I do understand the rationale of the Board to ensure applicants are competent. What I was displeased with was the length of time it took the Board to come to this decision and the attitude of the Board. I contacted the Board and was told a decision would be made at the monthly Board meeting, so I rang back the day after, only to find that no decision had been made. This went on for some months.

Meanwhile, I was unable to make future plans as I did not even know where I would be working. I became tired of chasing the Board for information, which was often not correct, and I even contemplated (stupidly) changing careers as I was so irritated with the process. I also found that during my interactions with the Board, the attitude of the staff made me feel as though I was being a nuisance, which contributed to my irritability and anguish.

The NMB was made aware of a new graduate position I was to commence in early September, yet no time was allocated to discuss my situation – hence the long wait I endured. I had to forfeit my place in a new graduate program, and was unable to ascertain a placement until 2010.

I have since completed the mental health subjects and was able to become an RN with no restrictions on my practice early this year.

I felt unsupported by the NMB. Nurses face many obstacles in their professional career and the distress inflicted on me, due to the lack of communication and excessively delayed investigative process, was unnecessary.

Elizabeth Moore, RN, Hornsby Mental Health ICU Desirable criteria are: c Nursing or health industry professional qualifications or experience c Experience practising in law.

Excellent salary and conditions of employment apply. Please contact Robyn Morrison on (02) 8595 2138 or rmorrison@ nswnurses.asn.au to receive an NSWNA Employment Application pack.

Applications should be received by 15 January 2010, to: Brett Holmes, General Secretary PO Box 40, Camperdown NSW 1450 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 7

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ROBOT NURSES A STEP CLOSER? he winning entry of this year’s inaugural NSWNA Nurses Short Film Festival portrayed a chilling future in which robot nurses solved the problems of nursing shortages. It seems that future may not be too far away.

According to Nursing Standard, scientists in the US are developing robots that can mimic facial expressions to convey empathy, as well as cleaning up spills, collecting drugs and transporting patients around hospitals.

The robot – called ‘Louise’ – has been undergoing trials in Boston and Pittsburgh with favourable results.

In addition, researchers at Warwick University are working on a robot called iward (Intelligent Robot Swarm for Attendance, Recognition, Cleaning and Delivery), which can be dispatched to collect drugs or clean up spills. The team at Warwick is hoping to develop iward technology so the robots can respond to spoken commands or physical gestures.

T

Japan plans to introduce robotic nurses to help take care of its ageing population within five years.

Meanwhile, Japan plans to introduce robotic nurses to help take care of its ageing population within five years, according to robotics company Zygbotics.

Japanese nurse robot Riba, from a Reuters video on YouTube 8 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

At the ANF Biennial Conference, Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon said nurses are the cornerstone of the health profession.

Roxon applauds nurses and the ANF In her keynote speech at the ANF’s Ninth Biennial Conference held in Manly in October, Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon told delegates from across Australia that nurses and midwives are the cornerstone of the health profession.

‘There are 285,000 nurses in the country – that’s half the health workforce. You are an army! You are a well-trained, well-qualified profession that, quite frankly, serves as the frontline in our health system,’ said Ms Roxon.

The Minister highlighted the health policy achievements of her government, including the appointment of the first Commonwealth Chief Nurse, Rosemary Bryant, greater independence for midwives and nurse practitioners and a move towards a ‘wellness model’ in health and aged care. She also emphasised that the ANF had been instrumental in influencing the Government’s decision-making.

‘Through strong advocacy, both prior to the last election and since, the ANF has played a key role in helping us develop our policies. You are a vital part of our health reform agenda, and we want to walk the pathway toward a better system with you,’ said Ms Roxon.

On aged care, she assured delegates that the Government is aware of the problems the industry faces and is committed to ongoing investment in aged care and its workforce. The Minister also warned of the lack of political will for health reform on the part of the Federal Opposition, as illustrated in Opposition health spokesperson Peter Dutton’s intention to speak against the increased

independence of midwives and nurse practitioners at an upcoming doctors’ rally.

‘While the Government wants a health system that recognises and values nurses, the Opposition is actively campaigning against them,’ said Ms Roxon.

Fewer graduate nurses offered jobs in public hospitals Only half of newly-qualified RNs have been awarded jobs with NSW Health in its first round of offers this year.

Only 1,450 out of 2,683 graduates have been given the chance to work in public hospitals – a move likely to force the rest into the private sector.

The Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Sydney, Jill White, told The Sydney Morning Herald the drop in graduate-registered nurse places in public hospitals was concerning. ‘It is a State responsibility to assist with the ongoing education of nurses,’ she said.

New graduates receive formal supervision in the public sector, more so than in other sectors, Professor White said. ‘Universities can’t give them all the skills they need to manage their time, multiple patients, emergencies.’

The voluntary redundancy program for nurses, which has now been cancelled, and a proposal to replace RNs with lessqualified AiNs is likely to have reduced the demand for graduates, Professor White said, adding that the move to less skilled positions ‘flies utterly in the face of any evidence on patient safety’.

NSW SPENDS

LEAST ON

HEALTH ACTIVITIES SW spends the lowest amount per person than other states on public health activities, according to a report released last month by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The report showed that national spending on public health activities – those of a preventive, protective or health-promoting nature – grew by 21% in 2007–2008.

National expenditure on public health was $2,159 million or $102 per person on average. This was an increase of $444 million on what was spent in the previous year and due mainly to a large increase in expenditure on organised immunisation, specifically the implementation of the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program and its initial catch-up phase for women aged between 12 and 26.

However, NSW spent only $90 per person on public health activities – more than $10 below the national average – and only $12 per person on health promotion. This figure was half what Victoria spent and less than the other states. Health promotion includes campaigns such as those on mental health, sun exposure and suicide prevention.

The institute’s principal economist John Goss said NSW’s lower spending was partly attributable to the greater economies of scale of delivering programs to a larger population. ‘The reasons why it’s lower are complex and due to a mix of Government policy decisions and also the costs of actually providing public health services in NSW,’ Mr Goss told The Sydney Morning Herald.

The low public health promotion spending meant ‘NSW should examine whether it’s spending enough’, he added.

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Nurses to lead research with launch of new centre St Vincent’s & Mater Health Sydney (SV&MHS) has joined with Australian Catholic University (ACU National) to officially launch the SV&MHS ACU National Nursing Research Institute (NRI).

The joint venture will empower nurses to lead multi-disciplinary research and is being hailed as the start of a bright and vibrant future for nurse-led, clinically-focused research that centres on patient outcomes.

The Institute, which launched in November, unites academia and clinical practice and evidence implementation.

‘NRI will promote excellence in nursing and research, from conception through to conducting the research,’ Professor Sandy Middleton, Director, SV&MHS ACU NRI, told The Lamp. ‘We are also providing a career path for nurse researchers, so we are training nurses who are interested in research and hope to go on and develop a career this field.

The aim is to expose nurses to research – to the practicalities and rigour required to undertake high-quality research.

We are fostering the next generation of nursing research and moving away from conducting small quality projects to undertaking rigorous research to generate evidence that can be used in clinical practice.’

Professor Sandy Middleton, Director SV&MHS ACU NRI, at the the launch of the SV&MHS ACU National Nursing Research Institute.

The NRI is funded by competitive grants and has already secured over $800,361 in research grants for 14 projects in areas such as venous thromboembolism prevention; bowel management in intensive care; and management of fever, raised blood sugar levels and swallowing difficulties in acute stroke patients.

Professor Middleton believes the institute is one of the largest nursing research-academia-industry partnerships in Australia, with 21 staff and students, plus some part-time research assistants in the field.

‘It’s about nursing research growing a larger profile,’ she explained. ‘Often with competitive grant funding, projects are led by medicos, so we are trying to foster nurse-led, multi-disciplinary research.’

WA nurses set to discharge patients Senior nurses in WA hospitals could be given powers to discharge patients in the emergency department.

WA Health Minister Kim Hames has directed hospitals in the state to reduce waiting times as part of a Four-Hour Rule program. Several hospitals in Perth have adopted the program – which aims for 98% of patients to be seen and admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours.

Senior nurses discharging patients rather than waiting for a doctor could help reduce waiting times significantly.

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has put forward streamlining the discharge process as a potential solution, a move welcomed by Minister Hames, who said having senior nurses discharging patients rather than waiting for a doctor could help reduce waiting times significantly.

‘They’re not discharging patients under their own steam, making their own decisions,’ he told ABC News. ‘The doctors will set a list of clear clinical guidelines for the nurse to make those decisions, so that will work fine.’

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 9

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ABORIGINAL WORKFORCE PLAN

LAUNCHED AT

THE CHILDREN’S

HOSPITAL

Brisbane midwives protested outside Kevin Rudd’s office for the right of women to choose a midwife to be their carer in their own right without being dictated to by doctors.

ore Indigenous nurses will be employed at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead as part of its Aboriginal Workforce Plan.

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The initiative is part of a campaign to close the gap between the hospital and the Aboriginal communities.

The plan – launched in October – will see 40 or more Aboriginal people employed over the next two years, thanks to a partnership with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), which has provided funding for the project.

The nurse positions will comprise six AiNs, four cadetships in nursing and the recruitment of 10 Aboriginal people who are already nurses.

The initiative is part of a campaign to close the gap between the hospital and the Aboriginal communities.

‘This includes the employment of Aboriginal people as we are a major employer in western Sydney,’ Josie Winsor, Aboriginal Manager in the Planning & Population Health Unit at the hospital,’ told The Lamp.

‘The workforce plan is to assist the non-Aboriginal health team to care for Aboriginal patients in a culturally appropriate manner, while building a cultural capacity [to ensure] there is a representation in our workforce for Aboriginal people.’

In addition to the nursing positions, the program will also offer school-based traineeships to stream Aboriginal students into nursing.

10 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

Unwelcome twist to midwife legislation reform Hundreds of women gathered outside Federal Labor Ministers’ offices across Australia last month to protest against amendments to the Government’s maternity services reforms that will see Nurse Practitioners and midwives tied to doctors.

The rallies took place after Health Minister Nicola Roxon announced that Labor would amend draft laws before Parliament to only allow eligible nurses and midwives access to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) if they worked in collaboration with a doctor.

The Royal College of Nursing has criticised the plan, arguing that patients will lose out, especially those in rural communities where doctors are scarce.

The NSWNA is disappointed with the amendments, but not surprised.

‘Considering the considerable and constant opposition of medical practitioners to Nurse Practitioners and eligible midwives having access to the MBS and the PBS, it is not an unexpected development,’ said NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda. ‘We have also been aware throughout the discussions that collaboration with medical practitioners has been on the table. We will, however, take a wait and see approach until the regulations are released and we have had the opportunity to examine them in close detail.’

About 300 women and children rallied outside Kevin Rudd’s electorate office in Brisbane, and protests were held in other capital cities.

Nurses lead in handwashing Nurses have the best record when it comes to washing their hands, according to four landmark studies.

Collaborative research by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission found that nurses were far better performers than doctors and other allied health workers in matters of hand hygiene.

The research formed part of a campaign to improve hand hygiene in NSW public hospitals.

The campaign was conducted between February 2006 and February 2007. It found that the proportion of nurses who cleaned their hands after patient interaction rose from 54.5% before the campaign, to just over 65% after the end of the campaign. During the same period, doctors’ figures rose from 29.6% to just under 39%, while allied health workers’ hand hygiene rates went from 40% to 48%.

Study author Associate Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, called on nurses to speak out. ‘We need to empower nurses to be strong advocates for their patients and to guide and remind doctors who enter their wards to cleanse their hands.’

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified hand hygiene as a key element in reducing rates of hospital-acquired infections, which affect as many as 200,000 Australians each year – equal to one in 10 hospital admissions.

NSW NURSES

SCORE WELL

IN PATIENT

SURVEY espite workloads pressure, nurses working in publicsector facilities are still managing to provide goodquality care for patients.

The results of the NSW Health Patient Survey 2009 show a high level of patient satisfaction in the nursing care they received.

Detailed feedback about patient experience was obtained from over 220,000 patients at 322 facilities/ services across NSW.

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The courtesy of nurses was rated at a whopping 91%.

The report covers seven patient categories – outpatients, community health clients, non-admitted emergency patients, adult rehab inpatients, paediatric inpatients, day-only inpatients and overnight patients – across the vast majority of public health-care facilities in NSW. Surveyed patients were treated in February 2009.

The NSW average percentage across all categories of patients who rated their overall care as ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ in 2009 was 90.7%, up from 88.2% in 2007.

Among overnight patients, those aged 60 and over gave the highest scores (94%), and confidence and trust in nurses was on a par with doctors at 74% and 78% respectively.

The courtesy of nurses was rated at a whopping 91%.

Figures were even higher for day patients, and paediatric nurses scored particularly well in terms of availability, and patient confidence and trust.

Nurse Practitioners under-utilised, says study Australia is failing to make the best use of Nurse Practitioners, a new survey has revealed.

‘Given the high level of educational preparation and clinical expertise manifest in Professor Nurse Practitioners, Anne Gardner underemployment in this highly-skilled sector of the nursing workforce represents a waste of valuable human resources,’ said lead author of the survey report Professor Anne Gardner from James Cook University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition.

The study found that nearly a third of the Nurse Practitioners who responded to the survey were waiting for approval to prescribe medication. More than 70% said that the lack of Medicare provider numbers and lack of authority to prescribe through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme was extremely limiting to their practice.

Underemployment in this highly-skilled sector of the nursing workforce represents a waste of valuable human resources.

Professor Gardner said the first Australian Nurse Practitioner was authorised in NSW in 2000 but this survey was the first census profiling the service in Australia.

‘The findings reveal we are underutilising this highly-experienced sector of the Australian health workforce,’ she said.

‘We also found that fewer than three-quarters of respondents were actually employed as Nurse Practitioners.

Our research makes clear that Nurse Practitioners are facing significant barriers to providing service in this important health provider role. The barriers occur at the service level of Nurse Practitioner practice and the broader policy level of regulation of practice.’

Despite Nurse Practitioners being authorised through legislation at state level, they were frequently thwarted in the application of their extended practice activities such as prescribing, Professor Gardner said.

‘As an example, Nurse Practitioners are authorised under state law to prescribe medications, but where those medications are eligible for a PBS subsidy the patient will not receive a subsidy because regulation of the PBS falls under Commonwealth legislation, which does not currently recognise Nurse Practitioners as prescribers. Nurse Practitioners are not currently eligible for a Medicare provider number, which means patients cannot receive rebates for their services.

‘Given the widespread workforce shortages and rising health-care costs, we simply cannot afford to under-utilise this important sector of the health workforce.

We are heartened by Commonwealth Government initiatives currently underway that should remove some of the barriers preventing Nurse Practitioners from fully contributing to the health-care of the Australian community,’ Professor Gardner said.

Wage gap for women grows The wage gap between Australian women and men doing similar jobs is growing.

The gender gap is now greater in Australia than it is in Syria, Indonesia and Thailand.

Australia’s ranking in the latest World Economic Forum’s global gender gap index dropped from 15th in 2006 to 20th in 2009. It also ranked 60th for wage equality and 50th for labour force participation – worse than its ranking of 41st in 2007 – despite more women entering the workforce in that time.

‘Over the course of her career, an Australian woman will earn $1 million less than a man, and will retire with less than half the savings in her superannuation account,’ ACTU President Sharan Burrows told The Sydney Morning Herald. ‘The financial crisis has further slowed any progress to achieving true equity in the workplace, and the great risk is that inequality for women and girls will become embedded.’

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 11

MAKE ‘EM

LAUGH MAKE ‘EM

CRY

GET BUSY GRAB YOUR CAMERA

Audiences at screenings across the state have been inspired by the quality and diversity of films created for the inaugural festival in 2009.

Films have been screened in Orange, Bathurst, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Narrabri, Lightening Ridge, Bourke, Inverell, Wollongong and Nowra – to name a few – as well as at mental health and palliative care conferences.

Here is your chance to tell your story, send an important message or just get

AND START FILMING DEADLI NE FOR E NTRI E S

a laugh – so grab

26 February 2010

Your audience

a camera and start filming.

awaits.

Selected films will be screened at the NIDA Parade Theatre on Monday 10 May 2010.

For full details and application form go to our website www.nswnurses.asn.au 12 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

s

N E W S I INN BBRRI IEEFF

US HOSPITAL

EMBRACES

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

t’s not just the cool kids who love Apple’s iPhone. Doctors and nurses at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Texas are making use of the iPhone’s medical applications such as Airstrip OB to improve patient care. Airstrip OB enables obstetricians to monitor different stages of labour, even when they are not by the patient’s side. The application links individual mobile devices to a central AirStrip server to give obstetricians remote access to live views of delivery room data, including foetal heart tracings, contraction patterns and vital statistics.

‘There’s no question that iPhone is making a difference in how patients are cared for, especially its ability to keep clinicians in constant contact with patients and the actual care setting,’ said David Bradshaw, Chief Information, Planning and Marketing Officer at Memorial Hermann, which serves a metropolitan area of five million.

I

Student perceptions of nursing distorted Changes in nursing education in the UK have led to student nurses rejecting bedside care as part of nursing, according to a study.

The students observe health care assistants (HCAs) on the wards performing these duties, whereas RNs are seen to undertake more technical tasks. Being associated with bedside care – such as cleaning up faeces or washing patients – in their supervised practice may lead to students feeling stigmatised and unprepared for their future role as trained nurses who do not have time to perform such tasks, the study found.

In the UK trainee nurses nowadays are university students who work in clinical placements supernumerary (in addition to) to workforce numbers. As a result of this, bedside or essential care has increasingly been devolved to HCAs who have, since the early 1990s, replaced the student apprenticeship workforce, noted the study’s authors, Helen Therese Allan and Pam A. Smith from the Centre for Research in Nursing and Midwifery Education, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey.

‘There is clearly a mismatch between qualified and student nurses’ views of what nursing is and what student nurses need to learn,’ they said.

The report recommends that students be made to feel part of a ward nursing team and a wider profession; be included in the nursing work that qualified nurses perform; participate in bedside care as well as more technical work, to learn how to supervise ‘care’; and realise that bedside care, as well as the more technical aspects of nursing, can contribute to their learning.

Computer game endorsed by British NHS

iPhone with AirStrip OB

The Nintendo Wii Fit Plus is the first computer game to be endorsed by the UK’s Department of Health and win the right to use the National Health Service’s Change4Life logo on its marketing material. Wii Fit Plus takes players through a series of exercises – including

skiing, hula-hooping and yoga – via an on-screen guide.

From next year, it is possible that the logo will be used on the product itself, heralding an unprecedented partnership between a video game and the Government.

A spokesman said that the Department of Health is endorsing exercise, not the game. ‘Active video games, where kids need to jump up and down or dance about as part of the game, are a great way to get kids moving,’ he told UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph.

Change4Life is an NHS campaign to encourage people, especially children, to eat healthily and do more exercise.

The game is already being used at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds to encourage recuperating patients to take exercise.

Student nurses encouraged to apply for Union Summer Union Summer is a program run each year by Unions NSW in conjunction with the ACTU Organising Centre. The program is designed so that young people interested in workers’ rights and social justice undertake a three-week internship in a NSW union.

Union Summer will provide you with experience of what unions do in relation to representing working people in Australian society.

You’ll also find out what it’s like to work for a union and get an opportunity to specialise in one of the three following areas of union work: industrial law, organising/campaigning, or media/communications.

The program runs from Monday 1 to Friday 19 February 2010 and includes three days of training provided by Unions NSW. Successful applicants will be placed in a union and mentored by a union organiser. All successful applicants will be paid during the program.

Entry into this program is very competitive as limited places are available.

Successful applicants will be notified of an interview time on 14 December 2009.

Applications close COB on 7 December.

For more information and an application form, contact Kate Minter on 02 9881 5999 or email kminter@ unionsnsw.org.au THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 13

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14 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

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C O V E R S T O R Y

s

YEAR IN REVIEW

2009 Celebrating the modern nurse his year the NSWNA sent a clear message that nurses are highly educated professionals. The NSWNA produced a series of TV ads starring NSWNA members that show the skills and roles of nurses, and the inaugural NSWNA short film festival also gave members a chance to tell their stories. 2009 saw the introduction of new work laws – a good win

T

for the Rights at Work campaign – and some strong bargaining outcomes that secured good Enterprise Agreements for nurses working in aged care and private hospitals, as well as a pay rise for publicsector nurses. Our successes over the past 12 months provide a strong foundation for our public health pay campaign next year. There will be some challenges ahead, but the NSWNA is ready for them.

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 15

s

C O V E R S T O R Y

Midwife Edwina Eastman.

TV ads show nurses’ professionalism he NSWNA broke new ground this year by launching a TV ad campaign that promotes the professionalism of nurses. The four-part series shows nurses as real people doing a vital job in a caring and professional way. The campaign raised public awareness of the roles of paediatric, community and aged care nurses, and midwives. Each ad follows a nurse – paediatric, community mental health, aged care and midwife – through their daily routine. In particular, the ads aimed to show the high level of education, skills and professionalism of nurses.

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Aged care nurse Sharon D’Souza.

16 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

Community mental health nurse Scott Neirinckx.

Frances Usherwood took out the gong for her futuristic film Robo Nurse, which portrayed a chilling scenario in which nurses are replaced by robots.

Inaugural NSWNA Nurses Short Film Festival

T Paediatric nurse Kim Rodgers.

o celebrate International Nurses Day in May, the Union ran the inaugural NSWNA Nurses Short Film Festival. This provided an opportunity for members to get creative and portray nurses in a realistic and positive light and to tell their stories. The diverse range of films included comedies, dramas, documentaries, and sci fi. Robo Nurse, a futuristic film by Frances Usherwood offering a scary solution to critical nursing shortages, was the winner.

In January, 14 budding filmmakers attended a two-day NIDA workshop to learn some professional techniques.

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 17

s

C O V E R S T O R Y

NSWNA Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda (third from right) unveils the Because we care car.

because we care

about nurses in aged care n March, the ANF and NSWNA launched the Because we care campaign to address issues facing nurses and residents in aged care. Research commissioned by the ANF and NSWNA showed strong support among the families of aged care residents for better pay and increased staffing in the sector. The NSWNA has led the charge in promoting this campaign, which included a Day of Action to collect signatures on postcards for nurses and the public to send to their MPs asking them to commit to delivering on aged care, and the handing over of just under 20,000 Charters for Quality Aged Care signed by aged care nurses and the public.

I

Brett Holmes (left) and Ged Kearney (right) hand just under 20,000 Charters for Quality Aged Care to Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot.

18 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

Rebecca Williams enjoys quality time with resident Maria Mezzasalma at St Mary’s Villa.

Elizabeth Kamanda signs up as a member during a workplace visit by the Union to Sir Thomas Mitchell Nursing Home, as part of the Because we care campaign.

ith so many nurses embracing social media networking, the NSWNA decided to create Nurse Uncut, an interactive blog where nurses can share their stories, experiences and opinions on topics close to their heart.

A small group of nurses contributes to the blog and after three months another group takes over. Popular topics include uniforms, and discussions on the ‘worst specimen’. Visit the site at

W

www.nurseuncut.com.au

First round Nurse Uncut bloggers Fran Chavasse RN (left) and Ruth Guevarra RN.

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 19

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C O V E R S T O R Y

Bargaining wins his year, bargaining by the NSWNA and members achieved enterprise agreements that delivered better pay and conditions for many nurses working in private hospitals and aged care facilities. Negotiations for a new template agreement between Aged and Community Services (NSW) (ACS), the NSWNA and the Health Services Union (HSU) were finalised in late June and at time of printing around 60 aged care employers had signed up to it.

The benefits include a 3% pay increase for the next two years, a clause for dealing with unreasonable workloads and paid maternity leave.

With the NSWNA’s help, the first ever union collective agreement to cover Regis Group’s six nursing homes in NSW came into force. It included pay increases of 3.25% paid every October during the three-year agreement, paid maternity leave and a reasonable workloads provision.

The new Agreement negotiated at Peninsula Village was a particularly pleasing win because the company initially tried to implement a non-union agreement in June that would have seen staff badly off in terms of pay and conditions. Due to collective bargaining through the NSWNA, the employer finally offered a fair agreement based on the ACS template.

Members in private hospitals have also won new agreements and NSWNA campaigns are currently happening at more hospitals.

Public sector nurses also received a 3.9% pay rise this year, thanks to campaigning by the NSWNA.

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Peninsula Branch member Claire Nicholson (left) and Branch President Daphne Ferguson campaigned with the NSWNA to secure a fair agreement for nurses at Peninsula Village.

20 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

Leigh Treseder RN and Julia Taylor CNS are happy with their agreement at Sydney Adventist Hospital.

Liz McCall, Nursing Unit Manager, Byron Bay.

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes.

Right Nurse campaign

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Staff at Regis-owned Gannon Gardens nursing home celebrate the organisation’s first ever union collective agreement.

n July, the NSWNA launched the Right Nurse Campaign to fight against the NSW Government’s proposal to cut RN positions and replace them with unlicensed care staff.n

NSWNA Conference delegates rally to maintain qualified nurses.

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 21

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I N D U S T R I A L I S S U E S

Community nurses win paid travelling hours g Federal Court rules community nurses must be paid for hours spent travelling between clients.

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he Australian Federal Court has only stated the obvious, but its declaration in October that community nurses must be paid for time spent travelling between clients will be welcomed by many nurses who have been underpaid for too long.

The Federal Court’s decision in favour of the NSWNA’s position that community nurses must be paid for their travel time sets an important precedent that may have repercussions for other Awards.

employees in this sector vulnerable to unfavourable work agreements. Industrial organisation can be extremely difficult because community nurses tend to work individually, with limited contact with their colleagues, and because most are employed on a casual basis.

This vulnerability was illustrated in the NSWNA’s drawn-out industrial case against SOS, a company that is contracted to provide services to clients of the Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and whose objectionable industrial practices lead to the Federal Court’s declaration. In December 2007, The Lamp reported that the NSWNA was investigating SOS for breaches of the Award, and for illegally imposing a WorkChoices-style agreement on its 200 nursing and domestic care staff that stripped back penalty rates, had no minimum shift, and gave no guarantees of a pay rise for the following three years.

It was ‘surprising,’ said the Federal Court, that SOS would try to argue that time spent performing duties for them should not be paid.

‘Many nurses drive hundreds of kilometres each week travelling between clients as part of their nursing duties. The Federal Court’s declaration guarantees that nurses be paid for the time they spend travelling, and this applies to all nurses in Australia, not just employees of SOS. It is an important decision that protects the rights of all nurses who travel as part of their work,’ said NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes.

As the Australian population ages, community nursing is likely to become an increasingly important part of the nursing profession, and this is reflected in the Federal Government’s proposed health reforms. The nature of community nursing, however, has traditionally made 22 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

When the NSWNA began its investigation, SOS was only paying its employees for the face-to-face time they spent with their clients, not for time travelling between visits, and it was also found to be grossly underpaying the perkilometre travel allowance.

Two years later, the Federal Court’s decision in favour of the NSWNA’s position has made it clear that working hours have to be consecutive – unless there is a split-shift clause in an

agreement – and that travel time must therefore be paid.

The Federal Court also ruled that SOS must enter into a new agreement with the NSWNA before April 2010.

In an unusual additional step, the Court specified that SOS must reach a satisfactory agreement with the NSWNA and its members, and failure to do so would lead to mediation in the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW.

How we won In February 2008, the NSWNA wrote a letter directly to the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs, Alan Griffin, outlining the Association’s concerns regarding not one, but several companies that then held contracts with the Department to provide home and community nursing care. Would the Department consider ending a contract if it was found that a company was violating industrial laws? the letter asked.

The answer was yes. ‘My Department does not condone any breaches of legislation by its contracted community nursing providers. It is a requirement of the contract that all providers abide by all relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation,’ wrote the Minister, giving the NSWNA the weight it needed to win a tough case for some of its most vulnerable members.

Achieving the declaration in the Federal Court required considerable perseverance and organisation on the part of our community nurse members. Their hard work, which included organising and cooperating with disparate members and calculating casual working hours in the absence of fortnightly payslips, led to a significant and precedent-making win, and should be commended.n

Have your say on the NSWNA win for community nurses on

www.nurseuncut.com.au

SALLY WELCOMES COURT DECISION Sally Baker loves community nursing, but she knows all about the vulnerability of her chosen profession, and welcomes the Federal Court’s decision to guarantee that time spent travelling between clients must be paid for.

‘The decision is a very important precedent for community nurses.

We should be paid for all aspects of our work, and I hope that the Court’s declaration will encourage more nurses to consider entering the community nursing sector,’ said Sally.

Like many community nurses, Sally receives no superannuation, no holidays and no sick pay because her employer, Southern Cross Health,

contracts her as a sole trader. Sally has her own ABN. ‘It’s a bit of a cop-out, because the Government pays companies to care for people, and if community nurses were employed directly by the Government we would receive all the allowances that we should be entitled to,’ said Sally.

Of course, Sally is quick to mention the things she loves about her job, such as the relationships you build with long-term clients, the spontaneous and sometimes unpredictable nature of the work – ‘There is no average day,’ she told The Lamp – and the flexibility of the working hours, which many community nurses can organise around their other life commitments.

Sally Baker, RN, Southern Cross Health

Is returning to uni your next move?

Are you ready to build on your nursing or midwifery degree or looking for a career change?

In 2010 the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery is offering exciting new and revised postgraduate courses, including: • Cancer and Haematology • Clinical Nursing • Clinical Trials Practice • Emergency Nursing

• Intensive Care Nursing • Mental Health Nursing • Nurse Practitioner (subject to NMB approval)

Is returning to uni your next move?

Make a move for your future.

Graduate options expo

Contact us for more information: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Telephone: +61 2 9351 0693 Email: info@nursing.usyd.edu.au Website: www.nursing.usyd.edu.au

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 23

s

A G E D C A R E

Ask your MP to act for aged care SEND POSTCARDS TO YOUR MP g We need more postcards signed and visits to your MP to talk about aged care.

M

embers have done a fantastic job throughout the year in getting the message out about aged care.

Thousands of Because we care campaign postcards have been signed and delivered to MPs, but we need your help to keep up the pressure.

There’s nothing quite like the personal touch to help achieve results, so we need you to make an appointment with your local MP to discuss the problems facing nurses and residents in aged care, and to encourage him or her to take up our cause.

Check out our handy tips guide on the opposite page on how to do this. The Association can also help you organise a visit.

This end-of-year blitz will complement a national campaign by the ANF in which Federal MPs and Senators will receive a Christmas present (a desk penholder with a clock on it and the Because we care logo on the front) and card with a message encouraging them to support aged care.

24 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

WE NEED

YOUR

HELP

During December the NSWNA is organising Because we care stalls to collect more signatures on postcards to MPs and we need your help. Please call Stella Topaz or Rita Martin at the NSWNA on 8595 1234 if you are available to help at these stalls. They won’t happen without you!

Markets / Events

Date & Time

Leichhardt

Orange Grove Markets Orange Grove Public School Cnr Perry Street and Balmain Road

Saturday 5 December 7.30am–12pm

Castle Hill

The Hill Xmas Fair Showground

Saturday 5 December

North Sydney

Christmas Markets 220 Miller St

Saturday 12 December 8am–4pm

Marrickville

Addison Road Market 142 Addison Road

Sunday 6 December 9am–12pm

Terrigal

Christmas Fair Lagoon and Scout Hall

Sunday 13 December 8am–3pm

Balmain

Markets Cnr Darling Street & Curtis Road

Every Saturday

Concord

Hospital Market Hospital Road

Every Thursday

Paddington

Markets 395 Oxford Street

Every Saturday

Maxine Mckew, MP for Bennelong (second from left), received signed postcards from members of the Quality Aged Care Action Group Trude Kallir (left), Betty Johnson AO (third from left), and Kathryn Sullivan, NSWNA’s Government and Community Relations Manager, at her electorate office in Gladesville in November.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT YOUR LOCAL MP OR SENATOR Tips for visiting a politician:

WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR MP Identify your Federal MP and his/her contact details on the NSWNA website: www.nswnurses.asn.au/news/23577.html

c

Always book an appointment. Dropping in is not an effective approach.

c

Once you have made your appointment, send a letter briefly outlining why you are coming. Keep it polite and to the point.

Include a Because we care brochure.

c

You could go with one or two other people, but not more than three in total.

c

Be on time and be prepared. Have some information to give the politician when you arrive (brochure, postcard and so on).

c

Go with a positive approach and build a rapport: no-one responds well if they feel criticised or attacked. You might refer to some achievements this politician has made to the community.

c

Choose two or three key topics to discuss, and stick to these. If you try to take too many things along, you may lose the impact.

Choose topics you feel confident to discuss and stay on the topic.

c

Share the air time: make sure you get your points across clearly, as well as let the MP talk.

c

Let him or her know how this affects you (eg. As a relative, as a nurse, as an older person and so on).

c

Ask for an outcome (eg. ‘Can you raise this with Minister Justine Elliot?’).

c

Ask for follow-up: ‘Can you write to me to tell me how that goes?’ or ‘Can I ring to ask you about this in X weeks?’ (Remember that while your issue is important, it is one of many – be realistic about timeframes so you don’t alienate the MP.)

Keep your letter simple: c There is an example letter on the Because we care website. You can either print it off and copy it or change it to your own words. c Photocopy a list of the names and addresses of the politicians you want to target so you can send off your letters easily. c Type or handwrite your letters, or you can photocopy one letter 50 times and give it out to staff, family and friends to sign and send it off. c You can write a letter on behalf of all the staff at your workplace and get everyone to sign it, although separate letters are more effective.

IDEAS FOR TOPICS TO RAISE WITH YOUR MP c

What do they know about the Because we care campaign and do they support it?

c

Can we have a guarantee that taxpayer funding is used for nursing and personal care of residents?

c

Do they agree it is unacceptable that nurses in aged care earn so much less than their public colleagues for the same work and what do they think can be done to address this?

c

Do they support a national licensing system for AiNs?

c

What is their plan for when the baby boomers need nursing homes and community aged care?

c

Ask your Federal MP to forward your concerns on to the Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot.

c

If your local member is a member of the coalition (ie. Liberal/ National), ask the same.n

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 25

s

PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

Progress on national g A national registration and accreditation system for health professionals, including nurses and midwives, is on course to come into effect on 1 July 2010.

C

onsiderable progress towards implementation of the national registration and accreditation system for the health professions has been achieved with the second stage of the national registration and accreditation laws, Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2009, introduced into Queensland Parliament on 11 November 2009.

The national registration and accreditation system is expected to come into effect on 1 July 2010.

Ten health professions will be included in the national system. These are: chiropractors; dental care practitioners; medical practitioners; nurses and midwives; optometrists; osteopaths; pharmacists; physiotherapists; podiatrists; and psychologists.

Agreement by the Commonwealth and States to create a national registration and accreditation system for the health professions was signed off by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) on 26 March 2008.

The system is being established through State and Territory laws, using an ‘applied law’ model, which will result in a finalised National Law being enacted in Queensland, with other States and Territories entering the system as participating jurisdictions.

Each State and Territory will repeal existing laws covering the functions to be performed by the new system.

The national laws will provide a public national register for each profession, independence of accreditation functions, the establishment of national boards for each profession, and the establishment of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to support the boards.

While the new national system will cover functions relating to registration and accreditation, complaints handling will still be handled in NSW by the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission.

A new Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has been established, comprising eight nurse professionals, including Professor Mary Chiarella from NSW, and four community members.

The next stage of progress towards a national registration and accreditation

The College of Nursing creating nursing’s future Physical assessment for nurses: A practical approach Develop your skills in physical assessment and learn how to conduct a head-to-toe, neurological, cardiac, respiratory, abdominal and musculoskeletal assessment. The DVD and the study guide provide the nurse with a self-directed and self-paced learning experience.

This Physical Assessment Package may be used in a variety of ways.

Individual Study The DVD, in conjunction with the study guide, may be used as a self-directed, self-paced learning package for the individual nurse.

Small Groups The DVD can be used in small groups to provide the stimulus for discussion on any of the physical assessment topics included in the package.

Classroom Instruction A teacher can use the DVD to provide visual demonstration of physical assessment skills to facilitate learning when instructing a large class of students.

Reference Material The Physical Assessment package represents a valuable resource in a Nursing Library where students can view and refer to the study guide at their convenience. This DVD and the accompanying Study guide were produced by The College of Nursing with the assistance of grants from Baxter.

26 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

The College of Nursing

CALL NOW! 1800 265 534 Email: physicalassessment@nursing.edu.au Web: www.nursing.edu.au

BENEFITS OF

NATIONAL

registration A new Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has been established, comprising eight nurse professionals, including Professor Mary Chiarella from NSW, and four community members. system will be deciding the mandatory requirements for each profession for registration and accreditation. The NSWNA and ANF are currently engaged in consultation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia about the five mandatory requirements for nurses for registration, and the standards for endorsement and accreditation.

Assistant General Secretary Judith Kiejda said the NSWNA strongly supports the move to a national registration and accreditation system.

‘The move to create a national registration and accreditation system aims to improve consistency in standards across the States and Territories and enable health professionals to move across Australia more easily.

‘A national system will also improve public safety by ensuring that only health practitioners who are suitably educated and able to demonstrate they are qualified to practise in a competent and ethical manner are registered,’ she said.

‘The Association has participated in all relevant consultation processes, at both State and national levels, to represent the interests of nurses and midwives in NSW,’ said Judith.

‘We’re pleased with the progress that has been achieved towards the development of a scheme that achieves the purpose of protection of public safety while maintaining health professions’ integrity.’

Judith added: ‘The NSWNA will continue its active involvement in the development of the system in consultation with key nursing and midwifery groups to ensure that NSW standards for nursing and midwifery are maintained and, where possible, improved.’

Stay tuned to The Lamp for future updates on the development of the national registration and accreditation system. Further information can also be obtained from the NSWNA on 8595 1234, and from the project’s website: www.nhwt.gov.au/natreg.aspn

Have your say on national registration on

www.nurseuncut.com.au

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REGISTERING IN THE NATIONAL SYSTEM The National Registration and Accreditation Implementation Project has announced the following arrangements for registration transition: c

c

if you are registered on 30 June 2010, you will automatically be registered in the national system on 1 July 2010; boards will advise you of your

category and type of registration well ahead of 1 July 2010; c

c

the national board will work with existing boards to design registration transition for nursing and midwifery; special provisions will be made where required (eg. specialist registration) in preparation for 1 July 2010.

REGISTRATION

AND ACCREDITATION The national registration and accreditation system aims to: c provide greater safeguards for the public; c help health professionals move around the country more easily; c reduce red tape; c promote a more flexible, responsive and sustainable health workforce.

NEW ELEMENTS FOR NSW NURSES The national system includes: c development of national standards for registration and accreditation by national boards, including the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia; c continued existence of State and Territory boards for handling operational matters; c a flexible model for complaints handling. In NSW, the Health Care Complaints Commission will continue to deal with complaints processes; c independent accreditation processes; c legislated obligation for mandatory reporting; c mandatory criminal history and identity checks; c privacy protections for practitioners and consumers; c mandatory requirements for continuing professional development and professional indemnity insurance; c student registration.

NURSING TITLES

PROTECTED As under current State legislation, the following nursing and midwifery titles will be protected under the new national system: c c c c c

Registered Nurse; Nurse Practitioner; Enrolled Nurse; Midwife; Midwife Practitioner.

In addition, the new national legislation includes and protects the title Nurse.

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 27

s

A G E N D A

Productivity Commission

Public and private hospitals on a par g Our public hospitals take a lot of flack but a new report by the Productivity Commission shows they hold their own with private hospitals.

A

discussion paper released by the Productivity Commission has found public and private hospitals have similar total costs.

The study found that both sectors had relative strengths and weaknesses based on their differing and often complementary roles in Australia’s health system.

The report was commissioned by the Federal Government to examine three aspects of the health-care system: the relative performance of public and private hospitals, the rates of informed financial consent for privately-insured patients and the most appropriate indexation factor for the Medicare Levy Surcharge income thresholds.

The Commission voiced a frustration over the inadequacy of data that would allow meaningful comparisons between the public and private sectors. For this reason, it said its cost estimates should be regarded as experimental.

Comparing apples with pears The Commission admitted that making like-for-like comparisons between the public and private sectors was difficult.

Public hospitals are required to provide free treatment to public patients and have service obligations under the National Health Agreement to provide emergency services, clinical teaching and

research and equity of access.

Public hospitals also face growing community expectations.

In this context, the Commission’s finding that public and private hospitals have similar total costs is noteworthy.

The Commission did find differences in the composition of costs between the two sectors, with medical and diagnostics and prostheses more costly in private hospitals, and general c Australia spends about 9% hospital costs and capital costs of its GDP on healthca re, higher in public hospitals. and hospital services account The Commission said for about one third of this. the rate at which patients c There are curren tly 768 public are seen within emergency hospitals and 556 pri vate hospitals department triage benchmarks that provided 4.7 and 3.1 million has improved nationally. The episodes of care respe ctively for proportion of emergency admitted patients in 20 07–20 08. patients who were seen on c Around half of Au stralia’s hospitals time increased from 75% to have 50 beds or fewer.

78% between 2003 and 2008.

Almost threequarters of public ho spitals have The number of semi-urgent 50 beds or fewer. patients who were seen on time increased from 61% to 66% during the same period.

The Commission looked at several safety and quality indicators and or intensive care units. It said there was found there is little difference between no discernible difference for patient falls, public and private hospitals in rates of pressure ulcers, adverse transfusion and readmission to hospital within 28 days, adverse drug events, intentional self-harm and rates of return to operating theatre and obstetric indicators.n

SNAPSHOT

OF PUBLIC

AND PRIVATE

HOSPITAL SYSTEMS

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE HOSPITALS: DIFFERENT BUT COMPLEMENTARY Public and private hospitals complement each other by specialising in the provision of different services and treating different types of patients: c

public hospitals handle around 75% of all episodes of care;

28 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

c

private hospitals perform around 60% of all surgery and 70% of other procedures;

c

around 95% of outpatient services are handled by public hospitals (including emergency department presentations);

c

two-thirds of elective surgery is performed by private hospitals;

c

patients treated in public hospitals are, on average, older, from lower socioeconomic groups and have more complex medical conditions.

© Ellen Pierce

HUGE STEP FORWARD FOR AMERICAN HEALTH

Obama dilutes health plan to pass first hurdle g US President Obama watered down his legislation for affordable health-care for all Americans to get it passed in the House of Representatives. Now he faces rabid opposition to get it through the US Senate.

T

he United States is close to the biggest extension to its health-care system in half a century, after Barack Obama’s Affordable Health Care for America Act was passed in the House of Representatives.

The House voted by 220 to 215 to approve the Bill, which would extend health coverage to 96% of Americans – an extra 36 million people. It would still leave about 18 million people without coverage – a symptom of the compromises made to pass the law.

The Bill presented to the House of Representatives ran to 1,990 pages and involves a $US1.05 trillion investment over the next 10 years.

The Bill expands coverage by making more people eligible for Medicaid (the government-funded health safety net) and by offering subsidies to help low-income people buy insurance. It forbids insurance companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

The 160 million Americans who already get coverage through their employer would stay with that insurance.

Nearly everyone would be required to get insurance or face a penalty, and

businesses would be required to provide coverage or contribute to its cost.

The government would create its own insurance plan – the so-called ‘public option’. The public option was the most contentious element of the Bill, with Republicans universally opposed to more government involvement in health.

They were supported by a group of conservative Democrats.

Passionate support and rabid opposition Obama’s legislation was supported by the American Medical Association, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP – the country’s largest advocacy group for seniors), the American Cancer Society and nurses’ organisations.

The Bill was opposed by every single Republican Senator and Congressperson bar one. As the Bill passed through the House, thousands of conservative protesters rallied outside Capitol Hill chanting ‘Kill the Bill’.

The Bill was shepherded through the House by the Speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi. She described it as ‘a historic opportunity to provide quality health-care for all Americans’.

A Republican leader, John Boemhler of Ohio, called it ‘the greatest threat to freedom I have seen in the 19 years I have been in Washington’.

In the face of such vehement opposition, President Obama immediately moved to maintain the momentum of reform and called on Senators to ‘take up the baton and bring this to the finishing line’ when the Bill faces its difficult passage through the Senate.

Bill garners qualified support from health professionals AARP Vice-President Nancy LeaMond said the Bill would help seniors pay for their prescription drugs and strengthen Medicare, the government-run healthcare program for the elderly.

California Nurses Association Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro gave qualified support for the Bill but flagged an ongoing campaign for more fundamental reform.

‘Proponents of comprehensive reform will never be silent, and never stop working for the real change we most desperately need,’ she said.n

Have your say on Obama’s health plan on

www.nurseuncut.com.au THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 29

Photo courtesy Andrew Aliferis

Obama’s new Bill, if passed through the Senate, will: c extend coverage to an extra 36 million people. Ninety-six per cent of Americans will now have some form of health coverage; c require individuals to buy insurance; c require all but the smallest employers to offer health coverage to workers; c include a government-run health insurance plan that would compete with private companies.

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAYS en

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Merry Christmas from the NSWNA g Congratulations, NSWNA members, on another year of exceptional care and jobs well done by nurses. The NSWNA wishes to share some Christmas cheer and is offering all our hard-working members the chance to win one of these great prizes. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

AT A BEAUTIFUL í˘ą STAY BEACH RESORT The Lamp is offering members the chance to win a three-night stay (midweek) for a family of two adults and up to three children in a two-bedroom villa at Samurai Beach Resort. The prize will be valid for a 12-month period and excludes NSW school holidays, long weekends and public holidays.

Samurai Beach Resort, one of Port Stephens newer resorts, offers the perfect escape to nature. It’s only a 20-minute walk to some of the most spectacular surfing and swimming beaches you’ll ever see, or a threeminute drive to the patrolled end of One Mile Beach.

Just two and a half hours drive from Sydney and located only 10 minutes from the heart of Port Stephens, the resort is set in eight hectares of stunning bushland and nestled on the edge of the magnificent One Mile Beach and Samurai Beach sand dunes. It’s close enough to experience the abundance of sights and activities Port Stephens has to offer, yet secluded enough to commune with the native birds and animals who have made their homes in the surrounding wetlands.

To book, call 1800 822 200 or go to www.samuraibeachresort.com.au 30 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

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d'Orsay) / GĂŠrard Blot.

CRICKET TICKETS í˘ł OWZAT! Summer is coming, and that means

í˘˛ STAY IN CANBERRA AND SEE MASTERPIECES FROM PARIS Win two tickets to the Masterpieces from Paris exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, plus a two-night stay at the Forrest Hotel in one of its cosy and comfortable standard rooms! The prize includes a delicious buffet breakfast and a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival. (Prize valid 4 December 2009–5 April 2010.)

Members also have a chance to win four other double passes to this exhibition.

Masterpieces from Paris will feature 112 Post Impressionist masterpieces from the MusÊe d’Orsay in Paris – one of the great museums of 19th century art.

Be captivated by Van Gogh’s Starry night 1888 and Bedroom at Arles 1889, Gauguin’s Tahitian women 1891, CÊzanne’s beloved Mount Saint-Victoire c 1890, and many other celebrated artworks by artists such as Georges Seurat, Pierre Bonnard, Claude Monet, Maurice Denis, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and Édouard Vuillard.

These masterpieces will be on show in Canberra only, from 4 December 2009–5 April 2010.

For more information and to purchase your tickets visit nga.gov.au The Forrest Hotel and Apartments is family owned and operated. It is close to Parliament House, Canberra’s major attractions and just a short walk to Manuka’s cafÊs and boutiques. It offers the choice of 77 hotel rooms and 40 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

To book, call 1800 676 372 or go to www.forresthotel.com

cricket is too. Don’t miss the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. The RTA SpeedBlitz Blues have two home matches in the 2009/10 KFC Twenty20 Big Bash this summer against Queensland (13 January) and South Australia (17 January). Both games are at ANZ Stadium and start at 7.15pm. We’ve got five double passes to each match. So that’s 10 tickets for the games on 13 and 17 January. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the reigning National and Provincial World Champions up close.

It’s going to be big!

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for concessions; $10 for kids under 16; and $50 for a family (two adults, two kids under 16). Go to www.ticketek.com.au or purchase tickets at the gate.

SYDNEY í˘´ EXCITING FESTIVAL AND ACCOMMODATION PACKAGE The Lamp is offering you the chance to win two nights at the York Apartment Hotel in a deluxe studio with parking and breakfast for two each morning, and two tickets of your choice for one of three great shows during Sydney Festival.

Members also have a chance of winning a double pass to one of the following shows.

The Arrival is a wondrous, wordless stage production featuring music, movement and puppetry, which questions why so many people leave behind everything they know to journey to an unknown land. It plays at CarriageWorks, 10–17 January. Go in the draw to win two tickets to The Arrival on 11 January at 7pm.

Circus Oz returns to Sydney with two hours of exuberant physicality, exquisitely-executed aerial mastery,

jaw-dropping acrobatic performances and comedic mayhem, all driven by the dynamic, original and eclectic music of the all-new Circus Oz band. See it at Darling Harbour 30 December–26 January. Go in the draw to win two tickets to Circus Oz on 13 January at 7.30pm.

Dark Matters is a haunting portrait of the unknown. The show emerges out of choreographer Crystal Pites’ fascination with the unseen forces at work on mind and body. It runs from 19–24 January at Sydney Theatre. Go in the draw to win two tickets to Dark Matters on 20 January.

Toumani DiabatĂŠ offers the chance to see this celebrated African musician who is responsible for bringing the sounds of the kora, a traditional West African 21-string harp, to audiences around the world. Go in the draw to win two tickets to Toumani DiabatĂŠ at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta on 15 January at 8pm.

Book online at www.sydneyfestival. org.au or phone 1300 723 038.

Please stipulate on the back of the envelope which performance you wish to attend.

The York by Swiss-Belhotel is a perfect location for the holidays. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel boasts magnificent views of some of Sydney’s iconic buildings. It offers the most spacious, fully-serviced studios, one- and two-bedroom suites, each with modern appliances including a fully-equipped kitchen, open-air balcony and laundry.n

HOW TO ENTER To be in the draw for one of these fabulous prizes, write your name, address, membership number, and the prize name and number you want to win (a separate entry/envelope is required for each prize), on the back of an envelope and mail to: THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 31 NSWNA Christmas Giveaway • PO Box 40, Camperdown NSW 1450 • Competition closes 18 December 2009.

s

BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES

NSWNA nurse face of ‘Better Services’ campaign g Public sector workers are coming together with local communities to fight for the resources and support they need.

M

idwife O’Bray Smith from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital has become the face of a new campaign that aims to put public services at the heart of the March 2011 state election.

O’Bray is joined by five other workers across the NSW public service in areas including community safety, health, transport, education, and frontline and support services who will take the campaign’s message to people around the State in a new TV ad and website.

‘Better Services for a Better State’ aims to unite public sector workers like O’Bray and the communities that rely on them around the need for better services in NSW, not cutbacks.

O’Bray, like many people working across the State’s public health system, is familiar with the growing demand on our hospitals and our health workers. She hopes that through the ‘Better Services for a Better State’ campaign health workers and their patients can better fight for the resources and support they need.

‘As a midwife working in a public hospital I know first-hand about the growing demand on our public health system,’ said O’Bray.

‘By uniting with patients, other health and public sector workers and the broader community I’m confident we can win improvements, including safe skill mix standards, improved funding and support in all area health services 32 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

and greater recognition for our experienced nurses.’

Central to the campaign is a new website www.betterstate.org.au which will allow workers and the broader community to put pressure on State politicians on all sides of politics.

The new, interactive website gives workers practical tools for organising events and actions as well as a platform for discussing the hot topics around the delivery of important public services.

Politicians will also feel the heat, with workers able to send a message direct to their elected representatives.

Workers across the public sector, including teachers, nurses, police, fire fighters, utilities workers and people in frontline and support roles gathered at Sydney Trades Hall on 22 October for the campaign’s launch.

O’Bray said ‘Better Services for a Better State’ is about giving public sector workers and the people of NSW a platform for arguing for the services they need.

‘Part of this campaign is about encouraging workers like us to come up with ideas that will drive service delivery into the 21st century.

‘As a broader community, we need

to decide the sort of community we want – one that has quality services supporting people.

‘Finally, we want politicians on all sides of politics to listen to the community and commit to investing in NSW jobs and services.’

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon said the public sector unions would ramp up the campaign over the coming months, a critical period for public sector workers and the broader community.

‘As all sides of politics develop their policies in the run up to the next election, we want to know if they are prepared to make an investment in NSW public services and in the people that deliver them,’ said Mark.

Mark also said public sector unions would launch a major advertising campaign early next year to ensure politicians heard the community’s message.

Get involved in the Better Services Better State campaign at www.betterstate.org.aun

YOU CAN GET

INVOLVED Through www.betterstate.org.au nurses can: c connect with other workers in their industries c become involved in local community campaigns c lobby politicians c share information and ideas.

s

Q & A

ASK

JUDITH

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS AT WORK, NSWNA ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY JUDITH KIEJDA HAS THE ANSWERS.

How many accrued ADOs? I work in the public sector and have heard from my colleagues that there has been a reduction in the number of ADOs we can accrue and if you accrue more than the limit you lose them. Is this correct?

The change to the maximum number of ADOs that can be accrued happened in July 2008 when the latest Public Sector Award was introduced. Under clause 4(vii), the maximum number of ADOs that can be accrued is three. If you have accrued three ADOs, all other ADOs must be given and taken on the day they fall. To be entitled to an ADO, you work more hours than you are paid for and these extra hours add up to one day off every four weeks. If you have worked for the time but have not been paid for it, you should not ‘lose’ the ADO. Your manager needs to provide you with the opportunity to take RDOs and must not unreasonably refuse your request. NSW Health information bulletin (IB2008_036) provides that, should you have up to seven ADOs owing to you on 1 July 2008, you will have had until 1 July 2009 to reduce them down to three. Should you have been allowed to accrue more then seven you have until 1 July 2010 to reduce them.

Rostered fewer hours than my contract I am an AiN working for a nursing home and I am contracted to work for 24 hours per week. Due to a roster error,

I only received 20 hours of work in the last pay period. What can I do about it?

Under common law, you are entitled to be paid your contracted hours. You should write to management asking to be paid the remaining four hours as per your contract and request they reply in writing within seven days.

Can I claim the Continuing Education Allowance?

I am a casual RN in a public hospital and have recently completed my Graduate Certificate. Can I claim the Continuing Education Allowance?

Yes, you can claim the allowance. Payment of the Continuing Education Allowance (CEA) is set out in the Public Health System Nurses’ & Midwives’ (State) Award at Clause 13.

It is subject to four conditions: 1. The nurse must hold a clinical qualification additional to the qualification leading to registration; 2. If the nurse holds more than one qualification, only the highest allowance is paid; 3. The nurse must provide evidence that they hold the qualification claimed; 4. The allowance is only payable where the qualification is accepted by the employer to be directly relevant to the competency and skills used by the nurse/midwife in the duties of the position.

Relevance for hospital certificates is set out in Schedule 2 of the Award. Relevance for post-graduate qualifications is set out in Attachment 2 of Department of

Health circular PD2008_061 ‘Continuing Education Allowances (CEA) – Public Health System Nurses’ & Midwives’ (State) Award’, dated 21 November 2007.

When can I take long service leave?

I am an RN working permanent full-time in a remote public hospital. Can I take my accrued long service leave, or do I have to wait until I resign or retire?

Yes, you can take your long service leave prior to termination. However, under the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award at Clause 33 (vi): ‘Long service leave shall be taken at a time mutually arranged between the employer and the employee’.

Aggressive patients after hours I am a new community health RN InCharge and my role involves dealing with aggressive and violent patients after hours. Several incidents have occurred recently and I feel unsafe. What can I do about it?

You should discuss it with your Nurse Manager and a risk management plan should be developed if there isn’t one in place. The Area OHS officer should be also consulted and current security procedures should be reviewed. Incident forms must be filled out and kept and all incidents should be documented. As a last resort, if there is a violent or aggressive emergency after hours and you have limited staffing, you should call the police.n

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 33

s

N U R S E S O N L I N E

What’s hot on Nurse Uncut g Nurse Uncut has really taken off and thousands of nurses are jumping online to have a say.

HOT TOPICS Managers: Are they friend or foe?

WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE LAMP ARTICLE ON ... UNIFORMS

As middle managers, NUMs cop flack from both sides – staff and the top brass. Ever wondered what an NUM actually does? What do nurses think of NUMs? Find out at Nurse Uncut and have your say.

‘I HATE the new uniforms. The trousers don’t fit. The skirts are scratchy and clingy.

It’s not difficult to tell that this uniform style/fabric was chosen by anyone EXCEPT nurses.’

Two sides of nursing: ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’ Nurses discuss the best parts of the profession (helping patients on their healing journey, forming close bonds with colleagues) and the ‘dark side’ in which a culture of oppression is described as a ‘harsh work camp with despotic overseers and frightened fellow inmates’. Log on and tell us about your experiences.

34 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

Foxylass

Juliakathleen ‘Our company has recently changed our uniforms to polo shirts and navy pants. It looks quite smart and the staff feel much more comfortable and cooler than those old style polyester blouses.’

Swine flu vaccine: Yes or no?

Health-care workers are being encouraged to have the H1N1 vaccine to protect themselves and patients against swine flu, but is it really necessary?

Visitors to Nurse Uncut have some strong opinions on the subject. What do you think?

‘Our uniforms should have been made from a different material. We wear dark navy scrubs. They are comfy and practical but every piece of fluff within a one kilometre radius seems to stick to our uniforms.’

Shoils

COMPETITION BY NURSE UNCUT

Decorate your hospital ward at Christmas and win a morning tea for your department It’s that time of the year again where Santa is going to find out who’s been naughty or nice. Here at Nurse Uncut, we are keen to find the most creatively decorated ward for Christmas.

What you need to do: c

c

Take a photo of your ward after your department has decorated it for the Christmas season.

Email the photo to admin@ nurseuncut.com.au by 15 December with the following information: • Your name • The hospital and ward (where the photo was taken) • Number of nurses/staff in your ward/department.

An email from Nurse Uncut will be sent to you confirming receipt of your submission.

Key dates: c

c

From 16–20 December, Nurse Uncut members will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite photo. The submission with the most number of votes wins.

21 December: Announcement of the contest winner.

LOOK WHO’S BLOGGING ON NURSE UNCUT Shirley Sternberg I have been in aged care now for 10 years. I have gone from AiN to RN and I’m now Deputy Director of Nursing.

I read about Nurse Uncut in The Lamp and was so intrigued by the site, as I am a self-confessed social media junkie, I took my laptop and logged on. After registering, I introduced myself on the discussion board and was made to feel really welcome. Pretty soon I was checking out all the other discussions, adding my two cents worth to a few things that interested me, and in no time I was addicted!

The thing that hooked me in the most was we could discuss anything and everything (not just nursing-related topics) and I was starting to discuss things with nurses from all different specialties, all levels, and from all over NSW – rural and urban. Where else can you network in such a broad-spectrum environment? Nowhere.

When I was asked to become one of the second round of bloggers, I graciously accepted. I’m on maternity leave at the moment so this was a chance to venture into something new.

I encourage all nurses to just try it. You don’t have to join in any conversations; in fact, you don’t even need to register to be able to read what is being written or discussed. I guarantee there will be something you will want to comment on or discuss. See you there!

Save and win with Union Shopper UNTIL MARCH 31ST 2010 MEMBERS HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN ONE

OF THREE $500 UNION SHOPPER GIFT VOUCHERS* Simply make a purchase through Union Shopper’s electrical, travel or Motor Market services to be in the running.

*For terms and conditions please visit www.unionshopper.com.au/win500

c

23 December: Delivery of Christmas morning tea to the winning hospital ward.

For more information, visit Nurse Uncut at http:// nurseuncut.com.aun

Big Savings for Union Members

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 35

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Join* HIP Super, your industry fund for healthcare workers, and enjoy the benefits of a history of strong returns, low fees and personalised five-star service.

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Full incentive terms and conditions are available at www.hipsuper.com.au/winner . The incentive period opens at 12:01am AEST on 14/9/09 and closes at 11:59pm on 14/12/09. The incentive is only open to (a) employees of registered Health Industry Plan (HIP) employers who choose HIP as their superannuation fund during the incentive period; or (b) existing HIP members who commence employment with a new HIP registered employer and choose to remain a HIP member with the new employer paying SG contributions to HIP during the incentive period. The prize is one night’s accommodation at a five star hotel of the winner’s choice in the winner’s capital city for two people, (up to a maximum value of $500) and includes breakfast and a shopping tour with vouchers valued at up to $1000. The draw will be held at 11:00am on 16/12/09 at Level 5, 477 Pitt Street, Sydney 2000. The winner’s name will be published in The Australian on 18/12/09. The secondary draw (if applicable) will be held on 16/03/10. NSW Permit No. LTPS: LTPS/09/08175. ACT Permit No. LTPS: ACT TP 09/03550.

You should assess your own financial situation and read HIP’s Member Information Booklet (Product Disclosure Statement, or PDS) before making a decision about investing your superannuation.

The Member Information Booklet is available free of charge from HIP’s Customer Service Centre or from www.hipsuper.com.au. You may need to seek professional advice from a qualified financial Trustee of2009 HIP is– Private Hospitals 36 THEplanner.

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NURSING RESEARCH ONLINE

NT Intervention update g The Northern Territory Emergency Response Intervention (the Intervention) was initiated in the dying days of the Howard Government in response to the findings of the Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse.

Rex Wild and Pat Anderson

Our terms of reference required us to enquire into the protection of Aboriginal children from sexual abuse. We will, no doubt, receive some criticism for appearing to stray well beyond that limited brief. However, we quickly became aware – as all the inquiries before us and the experts in the field already knew – that the incidence of child sexual abuse, whether in Aboriginal or so-called mainstream communities, is often directly related to other breakdowns in society.

Put simply, the cumulative effects of poor health, alcohol, drug abuse, gambling, pornography, unemployment, poor education and housing and general disempowerment lead inexorably to family and other violence and then on to sexual abuse of men and women and, finally, of children. It will be impossible to set our communities on a strong path to recovery in terms of sexual abuse of children without dealing with all these basic services and social evils. www.inquirysaac.nt.gov.au/pdf/ bipacsa_final_report.pdf

to the report and the Intervention that used it as a justification, but failed to implement its recommendations.

She explores the differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal perceptions of the issue, and argues that effective action to protect and nurture Aboriginal children is undermined when governments put their own agendas and priorities ahead of the evidence and the lived realities of Aboriginal life. www.themonthly.com.au/ntintervention-two-years-patanderson-1787

Tracking the Intervention Matthew Carney, Four Corners, ABC Broadcast: 05/11/2007

In Canberra’s eyes, the rolling scandal of child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities demanded action, swift and certain. So the Federal Government grabbed control of 73 Territory bush communities, dispatching soldiers and police to ‘stabilise’ townships and squads of doctors and nurses to check the kids. It declared it would ban grog and porn, quarantine welfare payments and scrap the visitor permit system.

Four months on from the dramatic announcement, what impact is the Intervention having on the thousands of people it is supposed to help?

Pat Anderson, the co-author of the Little Children Are Sacred report into abuse of Indigenous children in the Northern Territory, reflects on the Inquiry that led

the NT Intervention and create policies that support and empower Aboriginal communities. The Federal and NT Governments have come under increasing fire in recent months over the scandals emanating from the NT Intervention.

In August UN Special Rapporteur Professor Anaya described it as ‘clearly discriminatory’, and characterised the policies as ‘stigmatising an already stigmatised people’. Meanwhile, on the ground, affected Aboriginal people are struggling to survive and resist the conditions of hardship, division and racism imposed by the legislation.

In July, echoing the dramatic land rights struggle of the 1960s and 1970s, Alyawarr Elders at Ampilatwatja community, 300kms north-east of Alice Springs, walked off their community demanding an end to the Intervention and immediate action to address shocking housing conditions. http://stoptheintervention.org/

Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory Whole of Government Monitoring Report

www.abc.net.au/4corners/ content/2007/s2079819.htm

The NT Intervention, two years on Pat Anderson • Social Justice Initiative, University of Melbourne, June 2009

© Rusty Stewart 2009

Little Children are Sacred: Report of the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse 2007

Stop the NT Intervention Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney (STICS)

STICS is an open collective of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people committed to forcing the Rudd Government to scrap

This Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory (previously the Northern Territory Emergency Response) Monitoring Report provides an analysis of data captured between 1 January 2009 and 30 June 2009.n www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/ indigenous/pubs/nter_reports/ Pages/closing_the_gap_nter.aspx THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 37

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38 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

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F I G H T I N G

F I T N U R S E S

Fighting Fit Nurses (from left): Trish Stow, Raquel Flint, Failoa Tipa and Hayley Puckeridge.

Fighting Fit Nurses lose 94kg g Seven nurses at Toronto Nursing Home lose 94kg, and win Biggest Loser crown.

S

even aged care nurses have spectacularly shown it is possible to stay healthy and lose weight at work. Calling themselves the Fighting Fit Nurses, the team took on the Biggest Loser Club corporate challenge, a rigorous 12-week diet and exercise program. The spirited team successfully shed a combined 94.9kg and won the program’s weight-loss crown.

The Fighting Fit Nurses from the Anglican Care Toronto Nursing Home motivated each other to get onto and stick with the weight-loss program.

Hayley Puckeridge RN spotted the corporate challenge online and got the nurses together.

‘It was very much a team effort,’says EN Lidia Grozdanovska, one of the successful seven. ‘As team leader, Hayley kept us all on track, and we had fun and egged each other on. We also had lots of support from other staff and the residents.’

After 12 weeks using menu plans, exercise programs and an online diary, the results paid off. The team lost an impressive 14.2% of their starting weight.

The nurses cut down on foods, chose healthier options and drank water instead of soft drinks.

‘We ate a lot of tuna, rice cakes and baked beans and only had two slices of bread a day,’ explained Failoa Tipa AiN. ‘It was hard at first, but we got used to it and exchanged foods we didn’t like for others with the same calorie value.’

They also brought lunch to work instead of buying it. ‘Why not make your own lunch, have exactly what you want, and spend your savings on training instead?’ suggests Failoa.

The Fighting Fit team trained

several times a week, with swimming, kickboxing and bootcamps, and kept active at work by going on walks together on their lunch breaks.

‘I feel so much fitter and healthier than I was before,’ said Lidia. ‘You have bad weeks and good weeks, but the trick is to stay motivated and keep going.

‘To any nurses out there who are thinking about doing a weight loss challenge – definitely do it! It was fun and easy to follow,’ said Lydia.

‘There shouldn’t be any excuses,’ Failoa agreed. ‘It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how many injuries you have. If we can do it, then anyone can.

Nursing is tiring, but you still need to put in the effort to stay healthy.

‘My personal motivation is my sister’s wedding next year. I’m thinking “come that wedding, I’ll be skinner than all of you!”’ said Failoa.

The other team members were Trish Stow, Raquel Flint AiN, activity officer Christine West and Cathy Crowfoot AiN.n THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 39

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N S W N A M A T T E R S

NSWNA Branch News

ns get active in campaig g NSWNA members ate achievements. br le ce d an , ts es ot pr and Emergency Nurses’ Day was celebrated at Inverell Hospital, and many other hospitals across NSW, on Wednesday 14 October.

From left are paramedic Peter Higgins with Emergency Nurses June Turner, Andrew Peasley, Barbara Kennedy (front), Jessica Heal and Nurse in Charge of Emergency at Inverell Hospital Peter Kam.

Kurrajong District Nursing Home is currently negotiating an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with the NSWNA. From left to right (bottom row) are nurses Ros Wright and Glenys Roelfsema; on the top row are Janette Noogenbottom and Tanya Sieders, with the NSWNA’s Alicia McCosker.

The NSWNA visited nursing staff at St George Hospital during the NSWNA Roadshow to Sydney South West. Some of the staff of Ward 7 West took time out for a photo opportunity before starting their shift: (left to right) Lyn Mohammed, Cheryl Smith, Leonie Dunning, Lisa Johnson, Olivia Paulik, Kristin Mills, Hsiao-Hung Yang and Yang Zhang.

40 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

Photo courtesy of Inverell Times

Melissa Cumming, CNC, has been recognised for her outstanding service to Broken Hill in cancer and palliative care. Melissa was one of 10 finalists in the 2009 Australian Rural and Outback Awards, out of more than 200 nominations.

NSWNA General Secretary Brett Holmes marched with nurses from Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals in protest against the possible loss of three senior clinicians, after Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service announced its plan to dismiss CNCs in wound care, infection control and aged care.

1 Emergency Nurses Simone Hazelman (centre left) and Vicki Macklin (centre right) were awarded the 2009 Western Sector Excellence Awards for developing and implementing a hospital fast-track service at Griffith Base Hospital. Congratulating the recipients are GSAHS Chief Executive Heather Gary and Western Sector General Manager Ken Hampson.

Photo courtesy of Area News

Orange health workers will have better access to education and training following the announcement of the Greater Western area as a new centre for rural health education.

In this photo is Greater Western Area Health Service Workforce Development Director Jenny McParlane (left) and acting Nursing Director Kung Lim.

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 41

Photo courtesy of the Central Western Daily

2

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L I F E S T Y L E

OUR REVIEWERS & TIPSTERS RECEIVE A DELIGHTFUL

ABC CLASSICS CD

FOR UPLIFTING ENJOYMENT!

Bright Star g With the title of John Keats’ famous love poem, Bright Star explores the lives and love of Keats and his beloved Fanny.

B

right Star is a poem by John Keats, who is known in the literary world as one of the most romantic poets of all time. He wrote the poem for his next-door neighbour, Fanny Brawne, whom he fell in love with and was engaged to. Over the next couple of years he wrote her many love letters and

42 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

only became a celebrated poet after his death at the age of 25.

Directed by Jane Campion, the film Bright Star mainly focuses on Fanny (Abbie Cornish), who was an uncomplicated and fairly outspoken girl in the era of the early 1800s. She was very stylish in her fashion and loved to make her own clothes. Keats grew close to Fanny after she helped in the

Gifts so good, you won’t want to give them away. There is an ABC Shop near you. For locations visit abcshop.com.au or call 1300 360 111. Ask about our rewards program.

Review by Liz Lyons, Nurse Educator, POWH

caring of his brother who had an illness.

Keats then started to teach Fanny about poetry, much to the dismay of his good friend Mr Brown (Paul Schneider). Mr Brown is far more realistic than Keats and Fanny and at times comes across quite abrupt and tactless towards Fanny. Their verbal battles are exciting and Fanny is very quick in responding to Mr Brown, even to the point of being witty.

There is intimacy about the film without being intimate. There is also the feeling of first love mixed with some of the best love poems of all time. The story is simple, the actors are in character and very charismatic towards each other. You also have a window seat into what life was like growing up in the 1800s without the heaviness that some of the period movies portray.

Bright Star will be released on Boxing Day and will be an excellent movie to watch after all the Christmas cheer and the hustle and bustle of the weeks prior to Christmas.n Bright Star opens on 26 December.

GIVEAWAYS FOR NSWNA MEMBERS IN THE LOOP The US President and UK Prime Minister fancy a war.

But not everyone agrees that war is a good thing. The US General Miller (James Gandolfini) doesn’t think so and neither does the British Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander). But after Simon accidentally backs military action on TV, he suddenly has a lot of friends in Washington, DC. If Simon can get in with the right DC people, if his entourage can sleep with the right intern, and if they can both stop the PM’s chief spin-doctor rigging the vote at the UN, they can halt the war.

Bran Nue Dae

B

ran Nue Dae is a film about the search for love and identity. It is a simple story where love and the joy of life triumphs against a background of mayhem and dishonour. It comes from a unique place and people in Australia and has something essential to say about life. To laugh, sing and dance are some of the greatest and simplest of pleasures.

These things are essentially human – they lift our spirits and make us feel good.

Based on the stage musical Bran Nue Dae

by Jimmy Chi and Kuckles, the film is shot on location in Broome, Kununurra and Perth in Western Australia.

Bran Nue Dae is a road movie, comingof-age, comedy musical that celebrates the adventure of finding home.

It is the summer of 1969 and young Willie (Rocky McKenzie) is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port of Broome in the north of Western Australia – fishing, hanging out with his mates, and when he can, his girl Rosie (Jessica Mauboy). However, his mother Theresa (Ningali Lawford-Wolf) has great hopes for him. She sends him to the Catholic mission in Perth for further schooling.

After being punished by Father Benedictus (Geoffrey Rush) for an act of youthful rebellion, Willie runs away from the mission. He doesn’t know where to run to; he is too ashamed to go home as it will break his mother’s heart! While pondering which way to turn, he meets an old fella, whom he calls ‘Uncle’ Tadpole (Ernie Dingo) and together they con a

Review by Stephanie Gray, RN, Australian Red Cross Blood Service couple of hippies, Annie (Missy Higgins) and Slippery (Tom Budge), into taking them on the 2,500km journey through spectacular landscape, back to Broome.

Willie learns the hard and funny lessons he needs to get home, meeting and experiencing interesting characters and situations along the way, and all the while he is pursued by Father Benedictus.

Arriving back in Broome, Willie wins the girl, convinces his mother that Broome is the place he should be – little does he know that the day ahead will be full of surprises, for everyone!

Accompanied by the joyous sounds of country, gospel, with Broome-style Broadway dancing, Bran Nue Dae is a road musical that celebrates the adventure of finding your way back home.

Rachel Perkins (director) manages to re-create and translate the same chaos and energy to the film screen of the successful stage musical Bran Nue Dae that made its debut at the 1990 Perth Festival. It was immediately embraced by audiences who were drawn to the exhilarating combination of energy and madcap humour. None of this is lost in its transformation to film – you will also be wanting to laugh, sing along and toe tap to the lively songs and dancing.n Bran Nue Dae opens on 14 January 2010.

BROKEN EMBRACES A man writes, lives and loves in darkness. Fourteen years before, he was in a brutal car crash on the island of Lanzarote.

In the accident, he didn’t lose only his sight, he also lost Lena (Penélope Cruz), the love of his life.This man uses two names: Harry Caine, a playful pseudonym with which he signs his literary works, stories and scripts, and Mateo Blanco, his real name, with which he lives and signs the film he directs. After the accident, Mateo Blanco reduces himself to his pseudonym, Harry Caine. If he can’t direct films he can only survive with the idea that Mateo Blanco died on Lanzarote with his beloved Lena.

www.brokenembraces.com.au ONLY AT THE MOVES FROM 17 DECEMBER

THE ROAD Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel

by Cormac McCarthy, The Road is a postapocalyptic tale describing a journey taken by a father and his young son over a period of several months across a landscape blasted years before by an unnamed cataclysm that destroyed civilization and, seemingly, most life on earth. Starring Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Guy Pearce and Robert Duvall.

In cinemas January 28.

The Lamp has 25 double passes to In the Loop and The Road, 100 double passes to the preview of Bright Star and 15 double passes to Broken Embraces. To enter, email lamp@nswnurses. asn.au with your name, membership number, THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 43 address and contact number. First entries win!

Copyright © 2009 by PARAMOUNT PICTURES. All Rights Reserved.

g An uplifting musical comedy, Bran Nue Dae will have you wanting to laugh, sing along and toe tap, says Stephanie Gray.

In the Loop, a razor sharp political comedy, opens on 21 January 2010. www.intheloopmovie.co.uk

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O B I T U A R I E S

A gentleman with a passion for mental health ZENON LUCZAK 28 JANUARY 1952–29 APRIL 2008

Z

en passed away after a short illness on 29 April 2008.

At the time of his passing Zen was a Clinical Nurse Consultant in mental health for the Court Liaison Service of Justice Health.

While it has been over a year since Zen’s passing he is fondly remembered by staff from the service, and sorely missed by his wife and children. Zen leaves behind his wife Rosemary and his children Alison, Christopher, Siobhan and Briana.

Zen’s commitment to the mental health service was immeasurable and barely a week goes by where he is not sorely remembered by members of his team.

Zen wrote professional and wellreasoned court reports to divert mentally ill offenders from the criminal justice system, where appropriate. He had a true passion for this role and would often search the literature on cases discussed, which he readily disseminated to his peers. Zen’s reports live on and are often accessed.

Zen was a registered Psychiatric Nurse and a RGN. He was a student nurse at Macquarie Hospital between 1979 and 1982 where he registered as a Psychiatric Nurse. In 1986 he completed his general nurse training at Blacktown Hospital. Zen held positions in both these specialties,

including Director of Nursing for Romsey Hall Nursing Home, and commissioning and opening the Holy Family Nursing Home.

In mental health, Zen held positions such as CNS at Cumberland Hospital and at Blacktown Community Mental Health Team. He worked at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital and Blacktown Hospital as Nurse Unit Manager and After Hours Senior Nurse Manager. Zen commenced working in the Court Liaison Service as a CNC in 2004, firstly in Liverpool and finally Penrith. Zen was completing his final subject in a Master of Forensic Mental Health when he passed away.

Zen spoke both English and Polish.

He was a member of the ACMHN and the NSWNA. He held a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) and a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis).

Zen was a great man and an exceptional mental health nurse who was always ready and willing to share his knowledge and zest for life. He was gracious and humble. He would readily accept constructive advice and was willing to listen to new ideas. He was generous with his advice and had a passion for sharing this. Many described Zen as one of life’s true gentlemen.

Zen was born in Greta (near Newcastle).

He travelled around Europe extensively until he met his wife, Rosemary, while doing his mental health nurse training. Within six months of meeting they were married.

Zen’s interests were golf and indoor cricket. When his children developed an interest in sport he spent most of his time supporting them. He even coached his children in soccer and netball. He loved a variety of sport and followed Parramatta EELS . His other great passion was for music, which varied from rock, to country and western. Zen loved his children and never missed an opportunity to discuss their achievements.

His family and his colleagues sadly miss Zen. It has taken over a year for this history of Zen to be written, as his passing was painful for all.

Rosemary (Zen’s wife) would like to especially thank the staff from the Court Liaison Service, nursing staff from Blacktown and Cumberland and many others around the state of NSW for their support and comfort in Zen’s final weeks.n

By Lee Knight, CNC, Statewide Court Liaison Service, Justice Health

KHJ Staff Consulting

Emergency Assistance Nurses Perm Full-Ɵme

Our client is a leading internaƟonal emergency assistance company. Currently they are seeking Registered Nurses from an Emergency or ICU clinical background to join their organisaƟon.

You will have a minimum of 5 years experience and ideally have a post grad cert in the same.

For more informaƟon, contact Karen Jansen 0419 268 848 or email khjstaī@consultant.com 44 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

A generous spirit JUDY HERON 17 SEPTEMBER 1951–2 JUNE 2009

W

hen we think of Judy, we think of unending courage and cheerfulness in the face of ill health, but her life was also one of great optimism and good humour. Her chief attribute was a concern for others.

She was a diligent and competent nurse and a caring daughter, sister and aunt. Judy was also a wonderful friend to many.

Judy was born Judith Heron in Temora. She was one of the four children of James and Joyce Heron. Her siblings were Peter, Anne and Barbara. She was also aunt to Peter’s children, Sarah and Jacob.

Judy disliked being called Judith, but put up with being called Hank as a nickname for many years. She was a good student. After completing her School Certificate, Judy completed a shorthandtyping course at Temora TAFE, before beginning her nursing training at Temora Hospital. Many staff members at Temora would remember her training with them.

After completing her training, she shared a flat with her sister Anne in Randwick when Anne went to university.

She worked at Penny Craig Nursing Home in Randwick as a charge sister.

Judy was to become Director of Nursing at several Sydney hospitals including Durham Lodge and Lochinvar Nursing.

She was also employed as a charge sister at Wolper Jewish Hospital and the Sacred Heart Hospice and spent a considerable period of time working for the Petitt

Nursing Agency. Her last appointment was as Nursing Unit Manager at Yasmar Detention Centre in Sydney. Judy also completed numerous nursing and professional development courses. She was appointed as a Justice of Peace in 1980.

Judy was a well-known and respected nursing sister in Sydney for more than 30 years. Although her last two years at Yasmar were dogged by ill health, she always fulfilled her duties with great care and diligence. Judy had unfortunately developed Hashimoto’s disease and consequently lost a leg in 2004. This ended her nursing career prematurely. Her nursing ability was such that people would comment on her ability to her parents in their shop. Judy also volunteered to help out in disasters such as Cyclone Tracy.

Despite her illness, Judy remained fond of life. She enjoyed socialising and would often hold lunch parties for friends and colleagues at her home. It was this home that she bought after many years of renting, that became a source of pride and independence for her. She enjoyed her home and her cat, Coco. Judy loved to socialise, not only at home but also in her younger days at clubs and parties. She enjoyed watching television, especially old movies. Her favourite show was All Saints.

Judy was extremely close to her mother, Joyce, who died one month before her. Judy and her mum spoke often on the phone and visited each other when they could. Judy’s friends became her mum’s friends as well. Joyce and Judy

shared many common interests such as knitting and playing cards and watching AFL football and tennis on television. Judy had a great sense of humour and told anecdotes well. She often had funny stories to tell about her work. Judy was also close to her brother Peter throughout her life.

Judy had a great generosity of spirit, was very tolerant of others, and took an interest in other people’s welfare. She was a very compassionate person, who often helped friends and family. Judy often rang up to say, ‘How are you poppin?’ even when she was ill herself.

She spoke fondly of her friends, many made through her nursing jobs.

Many of her friends from Yasmar kept in contact with her in her final years.

Judy died in Westmead Hospital on 2 June 2009. Her funeral service was held at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Temora on 10 June and internment took place at the Temora Lawn Cemetery.n

By Anne Heron

Don’t just dream. Think.

Qualitative methodologies are increasingly important in health research.

From 2010, Sydney Medical School will be offering 3 new programs: • Master of Qualitative Health Research • Graduate Diploma in Qualitative Health Research • Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Health Research These courses provide hands-on training in qualitative research practice, sophisticated engagement with theory and methodology, and solid preparation in health issues.

Seeking Professional Development? We also offer units of study as short courses, allowing you to choose study relevant to your interests, and build networks with other qualitative research professionals.

Jump-start your development as a leader in the growing field of qualitative health research at Sydney Medical School.

Want to know more?

Visit www.health.usyd.edu.au or email qualitative@health.usyd.edu.au

THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 45

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B O O K S

SPECIAL INTEREST TITLE

With Healing Hands: The Untold Story of the Australian Civilian Surgical Teams in Vietnam

Book me AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing: Pocket Handbook

reference book has been fully updated to feature new concepts, new investigations and new molecular mechanisms and is full of practical, clinical advice. This is a perfect text for paediatric endocrinologists, endocrinologists and paediatricians.

Drug Interaction Facts 2009: The Authority on Drug Interactions Edited by Marianne Chulay and Suzanne M. Burns, McGraw-Hill Professional, RRP *$39.00 : ISBN 0071447725 / 9780071447720 AACN Essentials of Critical Care Nursing: Pocket Handbook is a practical, clinically-oriented handbook that provides the essential information needed for quick reference in intensive care, coronary care, PACUs, telementry units, and other critical care settings. It can be used with Essentials of Critical Care, the textbook recommended

by AACN to accompany AACN’s ECCO (Essentials of Critical Care Orientation) program offered to provide online training for new critical care staff.

Brook’s Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology (6th edition)

By Charles G. D. Brook, Peter E. Clayton and Rosalind S. Brown, Wiley-Blackwell, RRP $410.00 : ISBN 9781405180801 Brooke’s Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology is a benchmark reference textbook. This new book is full of practical advice and is essential reading for everyone involved in the care of children and adolescents with endocrine disease and disorders. This outstanding

By David S. Tatro, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (Wolters Kluwer Health), RRP *$105.00 : ISBN 9781574392944 Drug Interaction Facts 2009: The Authority on Drug Interactions provides health professionals with a fast and accurate interaction screening tool. Comprehensive information on drug/drug or drug/food interactions is provided in a unique and logical quick-reference format to enhance the speed and accuracy of therapeutic decision-making. This text provides information on the onset, severity, and documentation of clinically significant interactions, including a review of their effects, mechanism, and management.

(The 2010 edition is available to buy.)

NCLEX-PN Review

By Marlene Hurst, McGraw-Hill Publications (Medical), RRP $57.00 : ISBN 9780071545778 NCLEX-PN Review breaks the mould of other review books by

WHERE TO GET THIS MONTH’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, 8595 2175, jbromfield@nswnurses.asn.au or Cathy Matias, 8595 2121, cmatias@nswnurses.asn.au 46 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

Reviews by NSWNA librarian, Jeannette Bromfield.

PUBLISHER’S WEBSITES c Lippincott Williams and Wilkins: www.lww.com c Allen and Unwin: www. allenandunwin.com c McGraw-Hill Publications: www.mcgraw-hill.com.au c Wiley-Blackwell: http://au.wiley.com

By Gary McKay and Elizabeth Stewart, Allen and Unwin, RRP $35.00 : ISBN 9781741750744 With Healing Hands: The Untold Story of the Australian Civilian Surgical Teams in Vietnam is the story of more than 450 surgeons, nurses and other medical specialists from Australian hospitals who volunteered to work in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, bringing with them expert medical care, comfort and support to a warweary and traumatised people. explaining how to apply critical thinking and test-taking skills, rather than how to re-learn course content. From one of the most sought-after speakers in nursing, the NCLEX Review teaches students how to use what they already know to succeed on the NCLEX examination. This product gives students the strategy they need to pass the NCLEX without overwhelming them with new content.

Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice (4th edition)

By Mary Ann Boyd, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (Wolters Kluwer Health), RRP* $95.00 : ISBN 978-0-78179169-4 Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice is based on the biopsychosocial model of psychiatric nursing and provides thorough coverage of mental health promotion, assessment, and interventions in adults, families, children, adolescents, and older adults. This 4th edition reintroduces the important chapter on sleep disorders and includes a new chapter on forensic psychiatry. A boundin CD-ROM and companion website offer numerous student and instructor resources, including clinical simulations and questions about movies involving mental disorders.n *Price in Australian dollars at time of printing.

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CRoSSWoRD

Test your knowledge in this month’s nursing crossword.

1

2

3

4

5

6 7 8

9

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15

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17 18 19

20 21 22

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ACROSS

3.

6.

8.

Declare, stress, maintain (6) Relating to the heart (7) Substance that can stimulate antibodies (7) Untidy (7) Twosome (3) Strong tissues that move the body (6) Frozen water (3) Lower extremity (3) Skin infection common to the feet (5) Louse (3)

9.

10.

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12.

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Cystic fibrosis, abbrev (1.1) Ease, alleviate (7) A renal calculus, kidney ….. (5) Vein in the neck (7) Disease characterised by shortness of breath (6)

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DOWN

1.

2.

4.

5.

Organ in the skull (5) Passes out (6) See 11 Down.

Acute illness causing joint pain found in Northern Australia (4,5,5)

6. Infection known as ‘pink eye’ (14) 7. Hard and thickened skin (7) 11, 4 Down.

Degenerative disease characterised by muscle weakness and wasting (8,9) 14. Organs that secrete fluid prepared from the blood (6) 18. Medications, tablets (5) 19. Beat, overthrow (4) 22. Urinalysis, abbrev (1.1) Solution page 49 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 47

The way ahead....

MENTAL HEALTH ACT Mental Health Assessment Unit/ Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team

Clinical Nurse Consultant RN 3.2 $92.492 A new Mental Health Assessment Unit (MHAU) will be commissioned at the Canberra Hospital in early 2010 complimenting the existing Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) service.

Mental Health ACT is seeking to recruit an outstanding individual with strong clinical and management skills to work in the role of Clinical Nurse Consultant RN 3.2 to provided clinical leadership to the MHAU and CATT service. The successful clinician will be required to assist in the commissioning of the new unit and the development and implementation of recovery centred operating policy, procedures and supportive work practices for these acute services.

Canberra offers a culturally diverse lifestyle and stimulating environment with all the benefits of a city while retaining its rural personality and it is an ideal place to educate and bring up a family.

Eligibility/ other requirements. Registered or eligible for registration with the ACT Nursing and Midwifery Board. Qualification Allowances may also apply.

Applications Close: 15 December 2009 Contact Officer: Christine Waller - Director, Acute Mental Health Services at christine.waller@act.gov.au or (02) 6205 1062.

Selection Criteria will be available on the ACT Health Website at health.act.gov.au

Hirudoid dissolves bruises up to 50% faster than placebo.7

MPS for healing

100

Hirudoid contains mucopolysaccharide (MPS) to accelerate healing. MPS improves blood flow, promotes tissue regeneration by increasing collagen and elastin fibres in connective tissue and stimulates synthesis of hyaluronic acid which increases water-binding capacity.1,2 Studies have shown that the MPS in Hirudoid penetrates the skin in effective concentrations.3

Hirudoid advantage

75 50 25

96 hours

50 hours

Placebo

Hirudoid

P < 0.01

Time in hours

Recommend a clinically proven treatment for bruises.

0

A Cochrane review and others have found that arnica has no clear effect on bruising and swelling.4,5,6

Hirudoid relieves symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis 46% faster than placebo.8

Hirudoid is clinically proven.

For samples call 1800 653 373.

150 125

Hirudoid advantage

100 75 50 25

126 hours

0 Placebo

58 hours

P < 0.05

Time in hours

Limitation of arnica

Available in pharmacies from $12.95.

Hirudoid

1.Baici A, et al. Inhibition of human elastase from polymorphonuclear leucocytes by a glycosaminoglycan polysulfate. Biochem Pharmacol 1980; 29: 1723-1727. 2.Mitsuyama S, et al. Effects of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate on extracellular matrix metabolism in human cells. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 1994. 3. Elling H. Drug Research 1987; 37(2): 212-213. 4.Ernst, et al. Efficacy of homeopathic arnica: a systematic review of placebo-controlled clinical trials, Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, 2008 Issue 1. 5.Homeopathic arnica for the treatment of soft tissue injury, Complementary and Alternative Medicine. www.cam.org.nz. 6.Is arnica a waste of money? www.nelh.nhs.uk.

7.Larrson, et al. Percutaneous Treatment with a Mucopolysaccharide of Experimentally Induced Subcutaneous Haematomas in Man, Thrombosis and Haemostasis 1985; 53 (3): 343-345. 8.Mehta P, et al. Treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis: a randomized double-blind trial of heparinoid cream. BMJ 1975; 3: 614-616. amba11145N/tl 48 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

Diary Dates

DIARY DATES Conferences, seminars, meetings SYDNEY, HUNTER & ILLAWARRA Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Information and Networking event 9 December. Contact: Laura Brown, 4252 8940, laurab@uow.edu.au Nurses Christian Fellowship, professional breakfast 13 February 2010, 9am, Rydges Hotel, 20-26 The Kingsway, Cronulla.

Contact: Jane, 9449 4868 Nurses Christian Fellowship Workshop – ‘Infection, protection, defence, a response to HIV/AIDS’ 12 March 2010, 7pm, 5 Byfield St Macquarie Park. Contact: Diana, 9476 440 The Mental Health Services, 12th Summer Forum ‘The Right To Care That Works’.

18-19 Feb 2010, Crown Plaza, Darling Hbr. Contact: media@themhs.org or info@ themhs.org, www.themhs.org/summerforum/2010-summer-forum The Mental Health Services, 20th Annual Conference 14-17 Sept 2010, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Ctr, Darling Harbour. Contact: media@themhs.org/info@themhs.org, www.themhs.org/2010-annual-conference

Crossword solution

INTERSTATE AND OVERSEAS 8th Asia Pacific Basic Hands on EUS course 29-30 January 2010, Khoo Teck Puat, Advanced Surgery Training Centre, & National university Hospital Singapore.

Contact: EUS Course Secretariat, (65) 6496 6850, conferenceinfo@nhg.com.sg Leadership & Practice Development in Health Conference: ‘Quality and Safety through Workplace Learning’ 19 March 2010, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, TAS. Contact: Anna Boyes, (03) 6231 2999, anna@cdesign.com.au 2nd International Conference on Violence in the Health Sector 27-29 October 2010, Amsterdam.

Call for abstracts, deadline: 15 March 2010. Theme: ’from awareness to sustainable action’. Contact: www. oudconsultancy.nl/Violence-Healthsector/ violence/invitation-viole.html

Reunions Royal Prince Alfred Hospital PTS Jan 1970 – Jan PTS 40 Years Reunion 5 January 2010. Venue: TBA Contact: Robyn Newman (née Eglington), 9971 4880, fish100@tpg.com.au Sydney Hospital PTS 752 Reunion June 2010. Contact: Jennifer Clarke, 0414 511 655, jenclarke58@bigpond. com/ Carol Campbell née Feather, 0418 433 152, lovelife@tpg.com.au Liverpool, Fairfield and Camden Hospitals PTS January 1978 Seeking interest. Contact: Katherine Collins, 0449 824 233, collinsk1712@ yahoo.co.uk/ Facebook group ‘PTS 1978’ Macquarie Hospital – 50-Year anniversary reunion 1959-2009 Date and venue: TBA. Contact: Susanne Russell, 9887 5682, slrussell@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au/ Sabrina Lobo, 9887 5902

Diary Dates is a free service for members.

Please send diary date details, in the same format used here – event, date, venue, contact details, via email, fax and the web before the 5th of the month prior, for example: 5th of May for June Lamp.

Send information to: Editorial Enquiries Email: lamp@nswnurses.asn.au Fax: 9550 3667 PO Box 40, Camperdown NSW 1450 Please double-check all information sent is correct. The Lamp cannot guarantee that the issue will always be mailed in time for the listed event.

Due to high demands on the page, some dates too close to publication or too far in the future may be cut. Only Diary Dates with an advised date and contact person will be published.

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.

Diary Dates are also on the web – www.nswnurses.asn.au

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

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Selection Criteria Applications must be in writing from a not-for-profit, community-based organisation focused on youth, sporting or cultural development, health promotion or any other worthy social objective deemed appropriate, from time to time, by the NSW Nurses Association (NSWNA) Council.

The application must demonstrate relevance to current or future members of the NSWNA, by providing such things as membership or participant numbers and ages and the expected public exposure opportunities, including estimated numbers, arising from the sponsorship.

Applications must have the written support of a NSWNA member who is prepared to attest to the organisation’s good standing and its positive attitude towards the principles of trade unions.

The application must demonstrate a commitment to the promotion of healthy lifestyle and wellbeing.

The application must provide value for sponsorship dollar in comparison to traditional advertising opportunities.

The applicant must agree to the messaging required by the NSWNA on sponsored items for at least the period of the sponsorship.

Canterbury Hospital PTS July 1969 Seeking interest. Contact: Lorraine Barton (née Hardy), 9773 6223, lorraine. barton@optusnet.com.au

NSWNA Events Hunter Network Branch Official, Delegate and Activist Forum 2 December, 6pm, West Mayfield,

Re-endorsed by the Council of the NSW Nurses’ Association October 2009 Industrial Drive, Mayfield.

Contact: Phoebe Turner,1300 367 962 New England Network Branch Official, Delegate and Activist Forum For all public, private & aged care members 9 December, 6pm, West Tamworth Leagues Club, Phillip St, Tamworth Contact: Phoebe Turner, 1300 367 962.

TRAVEL - Come with me to CHINA and I will show you things you never Dreamed In China there is a saying “In the Sky there is Heaven and on Earth there is Suzhou and Hangzhou” I will take you to both and also to Magical Shanghai.

And whilst in Hangzhou you will spend six half days learning some of the Principals and Techniques of Acupressure and Acupuncture at a Traditional Teaching Hospital.

Departing April 14 2010 - 15 days $2950+tax

The full Itinerary is on our website www.skywingstravel.com.au email peter@skywingstravel.com.au Phone Peter 02 9212 2886 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 49

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

Free legal advice#

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Conditions apply

Call the Association information line on 1300 367 962 Maurice Blackburn has offices in: Sydney T (02) 9261 1488

Newcastle T (02) 4953 9500

New offices in: Parramatta T (02) 9806 7222

Canberra T (02) 6214 3200

Visiting Offices Camperdown T (02) 9261 1488

Wollongong T (02) 9261 1488

English Football Merchandise and Great Christmas Hampers Available!

Appointments for regional members can also be arranged.

www.mauriceblackburn.com.au

Shops 5R01-02 Glasshouse Shopping Centre 150 Pitt Street Mall | Corner of King and Pitt Streets | Phone: (02) 9231 6566

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H5E Graduate Certificate in E-Health (Health Informatics) This is a part-time course comprising three compulsory units and one elective. All units are one semester in length.

LOOKING FOR A NEW CAR?

H6E Graduate Diploma of E-Health (Health Informatics) This part-time course builds on the certificate course, and consists of an additional two compulsory units and two extra electives. All units are one semester in length.

Courses are external, self-paced learning packages using electronic and/or print-based materials. They can be completed with a minimum of disruption to home and work life as there is no compulsory residential component.

Fees: Commonwealth Supported

02 9735 8498 OR nurses@gillenmotors.com.au PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

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50 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

Applications for 2010 are open.

For more information, contact: University of Tasmania Department of Rural Health Phone: (03) 6324 4000 E-mail: Sue.Whetton@utas.edu.au www.ruralhealth.utas.edu.au/informatics/0912Lamp.php

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CONTACT OUR FLEETSALES SPECIALISTS ON:

Win a fabulous 3-day luxury retreat

to the Hunter Valley Start paying your NSWNA fees by Direct Debit for the chance to win a three-day, luxury retreat at Parrot Stump Farm in the Hunter Valley. Just 2 hours drive from Sydney, Parrot Stump Farm in the foothills of the Lovedale area offers luxury, self-contained accommodation in a country home set in 12 hectares of vineyards and landscaped gardens with its own on-site cellar door.

Our lucky Direct Debit winner and a friend will enjoy three nights’ mid week, luxury, country-home accommodation at the Parrot Stump Farm at Lovedale; three-course dinner and bottle of wine at Mojo’s on Wilderness Restaurant; two-course lunch and bottle of wine at Leaves and Fishes restaurant; massage; wine tasting on site; cheese platter; and a tasting pack of Midnight’s Promise wines.

Here’s how you can win • cancel your payroll deductions and start paying your fees through direct debit and you will go in the lucky draw and/or • convince your colleagues to convert from payroll deductions to direct debit and you, and each of your colleagues who switch to direct debit, will go in the lucky draw and/or • sign up a new member using the direct debit method of paying their fees and you, and the new member, will go in the lucky draw.

Photo courtesy of: Anson Smart/Tourism NSW

Direct debit is not only the easiest and most convenient way to pay your membership, but switching over could win you a luxury holiday! Don’t risk your membership lapsing from changing workplaces. With direct debit you are always protected on the job. Membership Application forms or Direct Debit forms can be downloaded from our website www.nswnurses.asn.au THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010 51 Alternatively call the NSWNA on 8595 1234 (metro area) or 1300 367 962 (non-metro area) for more information.

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Make your money work with FSS Financial Planning If you would like personal financial advice, why not give FSS Financial Planning a call on 1800 665 756 and arrange an appointment with one of their experienced financial advisers.

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To find out more about our seminars visit www.firststatesuper.com.au and click ‘Seminars’ in the left-hand menu. Alternatively, please call us on (02) 9238 2523.

~ Neither FSS Trustee Corporation nor First State Super is responsible for any advice given to you by Q Invest Limited ABN 35 063 511 580 AFSL Number 238274 trading as FSS Financial Planning. *Consider the First State Super Product Disclosure Statement having regard to your own situation before deciding whether to become a member or continue membership. A copy is available by calling us or visiting our website. The information contained in this document is current as at October 2009. Prepared by FSS Trustee Corporation ABN 11 118 202 672, AFSL 293340, the trustee of First State Superannuation Scheme ABN 53 226 460 365.

52 THE LAMP DECEMBER 2009 – JANUARY 2010

RETIREPLUS 10/09

# Selectingsuper, a company for Rainmaker Information Pty Limited ABN 86 095 610 996, describes the best overall fees payable, where overall fees are calculated for a member with an initial deposit of $100,000 and receives 12 monthly pension payments all invested in the fund’s default investment option. Research dated June 2009.