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Nursing Shortage - Limited Agreement reached with Minister on the use of Carers

Last week, following extensive discussions with the Minister for Health and Human Services, agreement was reached regarding proposals to employ carers on a limited basis.

At membership meetings over the past week members at the LGH and RHH clearly outlined to HACSU their position regarding this issue. At the LGH, members did not accept the introduction of carers as a short term measure to relieve workload. At the RHH, members agreed to the introduction of carers until 31 December 2002 on 1B North and 2B North.

The Minister has agreed to the following:

· The introduction of carers on the two wards outlined above until 31 December 2002. Agreement with nurses on these wards will be sought prior to the employment of this category of staff;

· That working arrangements, hours and rosters of current support staff will not be affected as a result of this short term measure;

· Current non nursing staff who currently hold the required qualifications, will be given the opportunity to take up carers positions, these arrangements will be made on an as is required basis, whereby the employees substantive position will be backfilled;

· The respective hospital managers will determine if current classifications of non nursing staff can be utilised to alleviate workload issues. If it is determined that these classifications will address workload issues, management will make the necessary arrangements on a needs basis;

· Further discussions will occur with HACSU in the context of current negotiations regarding implementation of a range of refresher and re-entry opportunities for registered and enrolled nurses;

On the basis that agreement has now been reached on this interim arrangement, HACSU has advised the Minister of our agreement.

This arrangement will be the subject of discussion at a hearing of the AIRC on 5 November 2002.

Members are reminded that this is a short term measure until 31 December 2002. No agreement has been reached regarding the continuance of the use of carers beyond that date.

HACSU will continue to advise members of further initiatives agreed with the Department to address the nursing shortage as negotiations continue.

Should members require further information, please contact your regional HACSU Organiser.