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Nursing Hours Report Finally Released

The report by the Department's consultant (Mr Allan Jones)was finally released on 2 September 2002 following a broad consultative process with Nurses in Public Hospitals across the state. The report indicates that an increase of 50 to 60 full time nurses is required in Tasmania's public hospitals and was discussed before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on Thursday 5 September 2002.

HACSU has indicated to the department that the additional nurses outlined in the report will certainly address major pressures on the system however, a more detailed analysis and input from nursing members is required prior to indicating any real endorsement of the report.

Leanne Mc Dougall (Nursing Industrial Officer) said " Clearly our long standing concerns and arguments that a nursing shortage exists and must be urgently addressed have now been supported in the report. Questions still need to be answered regarding some of the findings and methodologies utilised to determine the final outcomes."

HACSU met with Departmental officials and Allan Jones the author of the report on Tuesday 4 September. Further discussions were held between the parties at the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on Thursday 5 September.

The outcome of these discussions were that the parties would re-convene before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 1 October 2002.
This adjournment would allow the report to be considered by Government and for the Unions to discuss the report with members.

HACSU will therefore meet with nurse members across the state over the coming week to discuss the contents of the report.

Leanne McDougall (Nursing Industrial Officer) said "Whilst the report supports and provides evidence of what we have been saying we will be discussing with members the methodolgy used, particularly the way that wards are categorised."