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Government agrees to increase Nursing Numbers in Public Hospitals

HACSU attended a further report back hearing in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on 1 Oct 2002. At the hearing the DHHS advised that Government had considered the content of Alan Jones' report into the NHPPD model for application in Tasmanias Public Hospital System and that Government is prepared to adopt the recommended increase of nursing numbers as outlined in the report.

The Minister for Health and Human Services proposed a process for immediately addressing the nursing shortage.

The Department also advised of the outcome of recent discussions between
the Minister for Health and Human Services who proposed the following process as an attempt to resolve issues surrounding the implementation of this model prior to any formal arbitration process on the Nursing Hours issue.

Generally, this process will be:

1. That the DHHS will prepare a position paper, endorsed by the
Minister prior to 16 October 2002;

2. Unions to prepare a position paper for presentation to the Department

3. The position papers will form the basis of negotiations between
unions and the Govermnbment

4. Once discussions commence, the Department is prepared to meet daily
to progress the negotiations to conclusion

5. If policy matters arise which require Ministerial or Government
determination, these matters will be immediately referred to the
minister and will be dealt with immediately

6. At the conclusion of negotiations, any outstanding matters to be
arbitrated by the AIRC

HACSU has a number of concerns with regard to the model which we are
keen to discuss with the Departmental representatives. The forum for
discussions as outlined in the Ministers proposal will provide the
opportunity for HACSU to discus these concerns and immediately discuss
implementation measures to address the nursing shortage.

These discussions with the Department will commence next week and further report backs will be listed in the AIRC later this month.