A union ban on elective surgeries at the Mersey Community Hospital will continue despite pressure from the state government and Tasmanian Health Service.
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Australia Nursing and Midwifery Foundation Tasmania branch secretary Emily Shepherd said the secretary of the Department of Health was advised on November 28 that members would ban all elective surgery at the hospital from January 1, 2019.
However, alternative arrangements for elective surgery patients were not made, and Ms Shepherd said ANMF members were pressured to continue with the surgeries and stand down their industrial action.
Ms Shepherd said it was “another sign of disrespect” from the state government and THS.
“Since January 1, there have been a couple of elective surgeries that were performed as there was a perception that pressure had been applied to [nurses] to undertake the surgeries,” she said.
“Obviously members are quite concerned, as they believed they had given ample notice for the THS to make alternative arrangements.”
Ms Shepherd said on January 3, union members were again approached to undertake elective surgery.
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However, they were resolute they did not feel it was appropriate to “pick and choose” which patients they would or would not do elective surgery on.
“They feel that it’s unfair that the government put them in that position, and that these patients should have had alternative arrangements made with over five weeks notice.”
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the “reckless” ban would harm patients.
“The decision of union bosses’ to withdraw necessary care will harm those patients who are clinically in need of surgery. The union has previously promised no impact on patients,” he said.
“We call on the ANMF bosses to abandon its reckless attempt to prevent surgery at the Mersey Community Hospital and resume negotiating in good faith.”
Ms Shepherd said there was an offer the state government put on the table, however it was rejected as it did not meet key priorities.
The ban will continue until a competitive offer is put to the union that recognises the value and contribution nurses and midwives make, she said.
A negotiation meeting is scheduled for January 10.
Kasey Wilkins
Kasey Wilkins is education reporter at The Examiner, and also covers the East Coast. Get in touch at kasey.wilkins@examiner.com.au.
Kasey Wilkins is education reporter at The Examiner, and also covers the East Coast. Get in touch at kasey.wilkins@examiner.com.au.
