Call the HACSU Helpline
1300 88 00 32

more info

Winter 2002

The Patient Profession - time for action

On July 1 a Senate Committee released it’s report following extensive consultation with nurses and nursing representatives, including HACSU, across Australia.

The Senate Committee report is titled "The Patient Profession: Time for Action - Report into the Inquiry into Nursing."

The Federal Government is now well informed about the specific factors attributed to the nursing shortage and must act.

Enough reviews have been undertaken and it is clear that the Australia-wide nursing crisis will worsen if nothing is done.

The report says a national workforce planning strategy is "fundamental and urgent".

The Commonwealth Government must take a strong leadership role to ensure nursing specific issues are factored into funding and delivery of health, education and aged care services.

In order to prevent this report gathering dust on a remote shelf in little used offices in Canberra - as have so many previous reports - members are encouraged to write/email their local members of parliament and senators seeking a commitment from them that they pursue the implementation of the reports recommendations.

HACSU will continue to lobby the state and federal government to ensure nursing as a profession has a significant place in decision-making processes.

Without a robust, resourced and educated nursing workforce the health and aged care sectors will fail.

This report contains a number of significant recommendations including:

• The need for a national workforce planning strategy
• Establishment of a Commonwealth Chief Nurse position
• Continuation of the current university- based system for the undergraduate education of RNs
• Additional funded undergraduate places in nursing courses
• Greater coordination & financial support for the transition of new graduates into the healthcare system
• Promotion of a positive image for nursing
• Extending professional development opportunities
• Development of improved career pathways
• Increasing remuneration, including remuneration of knowledge, skills and education
• Improving working conditions, especially workload, double shifts and flexibility in rostering and working hours
• Expanding refresher and return to nursing programs
• Introduction of family friendly policies
• Effective nursing leadership and management, including greater nurse involvement in decision making
• Provision of a safe working environment
• Aged care nurses should have access to working conditions, remuneration and recognition comparable to other similarly qualified nurses in other health areas
• Experienced, skilled and educated nurses be recognised and rewarded financially and through promotional opportunities

Without urgent action from the Commonwealth and State Governments, nurses will continue to leave the profession. The only way to ensure that change occurs is for nurses to be active in their response to this report.