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Summer 2008

HACSU Delegate Eases the Transfer Between Hospitals

HACSU members at Smithton District Hospital have experienced a challenging process throughout the transfer of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)aged care facility, Ambrose Home, to the local private provider, Emmerton Park, during April 2008.

Ambrose Home was originally situated in a hospital setting, but when Emmerton Park built a new million dollar facility all residents were transferred to the private provider.

The new Emmerton Park is a vibrant facility, which is significantly different to the old hospital that members had worked in for many years.

HACSU Delegate Mary-Anne Smith bravely raised her hand to represent members from the DHHS in all meetings and negotiations between the affected parties, along with HACSU organiser, Mark Fagan.

Mary-Ann and Mark worked through many hurdles, and ensured all relevant information was communicated amongst members.

This process presented members with information on whether they wished to transfer their employment to Emmerton Park or remain with the DHHS.

Numerous meetings and negotiations took place over a number of months to enable members to make informed decisions about their future employment.

Eventually 22 staff members decided to transfer to Emmerton Park; the remaining staff members continued employment at the Ambrose Home hospital, or were placed on the displaced employees list seeking redeployment.

Seeking redeployment and finding employment is a very difficult exercise in Smithton and HACSU is still assisting some members through this process.

Mary-Anne said the process was very trying and at times extremely stressful for some staff members.

"We just tried to make the process as smooth as possible for them," Mary-Anne said.

"I was disappointed that the Department left it as late as they did to start discussions with us, but at the end of the day, the transition went reasonably smoothly."

Mary-Anne said she finds working in the private sector very, very different compared to the public sector

"All the staff members that transferred to the new facility have found it challenging," she said.

"Different staffing numbers and the challenges that private providers have with Federal funding means our workload is significantly higher.

"It's a totally different environment, but all the staff members have settled in well, and we all work well together to get the job done and give the best standard in care we possibly can for our residents."

Mark Fagan said it has been a little traumatic over the last 18 months for our Smithton members.

"But like true country folk everyone has stuck together and helped each other through it, they're a great bunch of people," Mark said.