RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
Good luck Carolyn with the NSWNA elections. Andrea the conference looks good. Dearly love to go. I was recently elected to QNU Council as a member and also as the only practicing midwife. I will always speak up for midwifery practice and the families we support. Qld members please start formulating branch motions and send them in before mid May. If people feel their branch may be difficult send them to me here and I will put them through the Redcliffe branch. Give me background as well so I can speak on it. The next edition of the QNU journal highlights midwifery and the next one will have NMAP in it. Small achievements but some will see it as a negative as we are working within the Nursing Union! What you are saying about the work situation is correct? There are so many 'managers' that pay lip service to the stressors involved with care that they just turn a blind eye to everything. Near misses, keep your fingers crossed and hope or flying by your seat are common. It has to stop. If we unite and support each other can you imagine the strength. Unfortunately if one has a differing view at work they just get pushed to one side and considered nuisances. Everyone has the right to be heard and feel safe to be able to debate freely without feeling intimidated/bullied especially in a closed room. Unfortunately what I experienced at the Brisbane ACMI conference was completely the opposite. I opened my mouth with some searching questions too early at this conference and I was then treated really bad by some sections of the conference. I felt so isolated and suffered much stress. Don't think I will experience that environment again!! Mind you looking at Darwin's prices I would dearly to be one of those unwaged (one must assume) midwives. Debate in political circles at least ends with goodwill no matter what side you are on!! Cheers Barb -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
YES YES YES YES you can join QNU I have attempted to ensure QNU Councillors are aware/educated that there are midwives who are not nurses practicing in QLD. You are not the first midwife to do so and some have been practicing for years! QNU put out an alert recently to agency staff regarding their PI insurance. Some agencies are trying to be considered as contractors not employers thereby adjudicating their employers responsibilities. QNU does not provide PI to midwives working at home births or if midwives are self employed. Recently there were reports that some city councils are setting up Nurse Immunizers as contractors. These nurses tender for a position and then are expected to get PI. They are also unable to obtain PI in order to contract for the work and are presently working uncovered and unable to have QNU PI as they are self-employed. Cheers Barb -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
Barb The QNU has a page on their web site about Bullying see Caroline's article Denise - Original Message - From: B G [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2003 12:46 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it Good luck Carolyn with the NSWNA elections. Andrea the conference looks good. Dearly love to go. I was recently elected to QNU Council as a member and also as the only practicing midwife. I will always speak up for midwifery practice and the families we support. Qld members please start formulating branch motions and send them in before mid May. If people feel their branch may be difficult send them to me here and I will put them through the Redcliffe branch. Give me background as well so I can speak on it. The next edition of the QNU journal highlights midwifery and the next one will have NMAP in it. Small achievements but some will see it as a negative as we are working within the Nursing Union! What you are saying about the work situation is correct? There are so many 'managers' that pay lip service to the stressors involved with care that they just turn a blind eye to everything. Near misses, keep your fingers crossed and hope or flying by your seat are common. It has to stop. If we unite and support each other can you imagine the strength. Unfortunately if one has a differing view at work they just get pushed to one side and considered nuisances. Everyone has the right to be heard and feel safe to be able to debate freely without feeling intimidated/bullied especially in a closed room. Unfortunately what I experienced at the Brisbane ACMI conference was completely the opposite. I opened my mouth with some searching questions too early at this conference and I was then treated really bad by some sections of the conference. I felt so isolated and suffered much stress. Don't think I will experience that environment again!! Mind you looking at Darwin's prices I would dearly to be one of those unwaged (one must assume) midwives. Debate in political circles at least ends with goodwill no matter what side you are on!! Cheers Barb -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Epidural video
I think NOT Mary!!! - Original Message - From: Mary Murphy To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2003 11:09 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Epidural video Hi all, I know that this is a reply to an old message but I only just got to look at it (thanks Tina) It certainly is a slick piece of promotion and whilst I haven't seen the video, I bet it will become the standard in hospital childbirth education classes. It almost won ME over with its soothing words and reassuring scenarios. MM - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2003 11:15 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Epidural video Hello everyone...this came by my waythought i'd share it here.http://www.medeserv.com.au/anzca/infocentres/medreleases/labour.htmYours in reforming midwiferyTina Pettigrew.B Mid Student ACU Melbhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/BMidStudentCollective/" As we trust the flowers to open to new life - So we can trust birth"Harriette Hartigan.---
Re: [ozmidwifery] re: article in the Advertiser
Good on you Tania. We need to take every opportunity to get the correct information out there. Sandra - Original Message - From: Tom, Tania and Sam Smallwood To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, April 04, 2003 8:53 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] re: article in the Advertiser Here's my response I refer to 'Less travel, GP care for mums-to-be' (The Advertiser 3/4/03) When will our government stop spending taxpayers money on plans which margianalise women and blatantly ignore world's best practice guidelines? The World Health Organisation clearly states that the most appropriate and cost effective care-provider for the vast majority of pregnant women is a MIDWIFE. Continuity of care is achieved when a woman has access to one care provider for antenatal care, during labour and for the birth of her child, and for the postnatal period. Contracting GP's who have no intention of being involved in thelabour and birth to provide antenatal care, under the guise of providing continuity of care is lucicrous.More funding for community based one-to-one midwifery care, such as the Northern Women's Community Midwifery Program would be a more honest and woman-friendly gesture, and a step in the right direction for women who wish to be seen as individuals, not 'cases'. Oh, and by the way, women give birth, pizza's are delivered!
RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
Judy wrote: With regard to the workload, I have just found out that the position I left last december has not been filled and more FTE have been cut from the staffing. Antenatal education is suffering and the workload is the same. I really don't know how the management (not midwife friendly) expects quality care. These hospital philosophies mean nothing when they keep doing this. Forcing such workloads is bullying in itself but I am sure they would not recognise this. Judy Yes, it is bullying Judy and no, they don't recognise it for what it is - because 'they' are so divorced from being 'with people' (aka with woman) - 'they'haven't got a clue as to the reality of our work - and so we have to tell them that the way 'they' construct our work environment is abusive. The CEO ofour place is a doctor whose background is pathology.The general manager is a financial whizz who is also adoctor and one who has never, from what I understand, practised bedside or even officechair side medicine. These people have absolutely no idea of what either midwifery or nursing is about. They do not understand the practice of either discipline at all. It is impossible for them. People can't do what they don't know. I personally find it simply amazing that these people have the right to dictate how nursing and midwifery budgets are spent. Where are all the tough characters that ruled the budgets for our professions andhad a say in the executives of the Health Services? The current trend towards clinical streaming is leading more and more away from the notion of self determination with financial matters. This is a huge issue for the union(s) to take up. Great opportunity here for all of us to unite and give the same message in a format 'they' understand. Time to stand up and be counted - we have the numbers and the power. I have been thinking - what would happen if we said by such a such a day at such and such a time, all over Australia, midwives and nurses would walk out and everyone did. We could give them two weeks notice, get doctors and adminstrators to organise themselves into rosters to provide care and then every single one of us, walk out. We have been 'nice'and compliant for too long. It is like being in a domestic violence situation - everyone wonders why women don't leave abusive men, but we know don't we? We care too much. Imagine if we asked for: midwifery models of care one to one care for labouring women well babies to be counted in workloads one midwifeto four motherbaby pairratios in prenatal/postnatal wards (that is whether the baby is internal or external to the mother) a recognition of the vital importance of the mother/baby relationship and the need to factor this in to workload considerations, especially for women with social challenges midwifery budgets managed by midwifery managers senior midwife midwifery directors who had equal standing on health service executives career pathways for midwives no HEC's on midwifery courses Mentoring for managers mandatory study leave for professional development clinical midwifery educators on each shift in every unit indemnity insurance for privately practising midwives 24 hour child care onsite flexible rosters mandatory safe skill mix anything else? and that's just midwifery,nursing needs have parallels Imagine. How long do you think we would be out for??? In solidarity ; -) gives me goosebumps just thinking of the possibilities When desire is greater than fear, we can achieve anything. Martin Luther King and Gandhi showed us that passion fora just cause and commitment makes social change inevitable. Carolyn Hastie council nominee for the Realnurses and Midwives team (NSWNA election June 03)
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
Fantastic Carolyn. A union is only as strong as the membership involvement. Nurses and midwives have the power of numbers but we can't realise that power if we are not involved and being active. I have been a Qld Nurses Union activist for many years and am often frustrated at the apathy and avoidance of being involved or even aware of the power each individual nurse has to effect change. Too content to run ragged in poor working conditions, complaining about workloads in the tea room to colleagues but not to take responsiblity for allowing that situation develop and continue. Good nurses don't argue and find it very hard to say no to more work being piled on them. The branch structure of the QNU is very democratic and allows enormous input by individual branch members into the overall policies (both industrial and professional). The union officials take their direction from the Annual Conference which is attended by representatives from all branches. Any branch member whether in the Torres Stait or Brisbane can put up a resolution. Most don't take up that option or challenge to make a difference. They think that the Union is separate from them and avoid any responsibility. We are a powerful force if only we can realise it. Good luck for your elections. I am sure you will bring positive change. Sandra - Original Message - From: Heartlogic [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2003 8:58 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it Dear Colleagues, This is a fantastic workshop Andrea has put together and will be so useful to managers and leaders everywhere. Good on you Andrea for doing this, wonderful to see. One of the many strands in this complex issue is that of learned helplessness. The pattern of learned helplessness has to be overcome in our profession and in that of nursing. I have been horrified by the working conditions in hospitals since I have been back as midwifery educator. People are overworked and overstretched. People are working too hard for little satisfaction. From what I see, the complexity of the clientele, the simply dreadful midwife/motherbaby ratio, the skill mix, the paperwork mountain, plus the responsibilities of new domestic violence and child reporting legislation, not to the mention burgeoning use of technology and the ever present fear of litigation in the approach to maternity care, are creating a fertile ground for all sorts of unconscious reactions/responses and inappropriate behaviour. And as for the students, the staff do their best and work hard to help them learn, but there is no time to teach on the job. This is just from my midwifery perspective, nursing is a whole other kettle of frogs. You know that saying, if you put a frog in hot water it will immediately jump out, but put a frog in cold water and heat it up and it doesnt realise what is happening and before it does, it expires from the heat. The health system is heating up to expiry point. At our place, we have been told there will be a 20% increase in women to care for, as GP's stop bulk billing and obstetricians stop doing private obstetrics, already there were 2000 more occasions of service at the prenatal clinic in the last 6 months - but there will be no more staff and no more resources. WHAT? That's right. However, there is another layer of senior management happening and the line of management is through a doctor - no senior midwife manager directly reporting to the executive. Grrr. So I figured what we need is serious action. I've joined the union (NSWNA) and become a branch delegate. I've been reading and searching for ways to address these and other issues and have joined a team called The real nurses team as they are have a real grasp of the issues facing both nursing and midwifery. They are dedicated to remaining independant from any political party to pursue safe and effective staff/patient and midwife/womanbaby ratios and other urgent requirements. I have been nominated for council for this team, along with two other midwives, Michael Whaites and Liz McCall. The election for General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary and councillors from the committee of Delegates will be held by postal vote and closes 17th June 03. The details of all the nominees will be in the next Lamp. For those of you in NSW, please ensure your membership is current and investigate the nominees and choose who you will vote for and please vote. We need your voice. Please have a look at the Real Nurses Team site, it's www.realnurses.net For midwives working in other states, please join the union or if already members become actively involved. We are working for name change, to include midwifery in the title of the union. It is time to get real, to address the real issues facing our twin professions. There is power in numbers and many issues are the same for nurses and midwives, it is
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
Dear Carolyn: I endorse everything you have written with the addition of reduction in the mother/baby pair to midiwfe ratio IF a mother/baby pair is recovering from a caesarean birth. As you all know it is not just the increased obs in the first 24 hrs it is the increased breastfeeding difficulties that demand a midwife's care during this period, but this means the other women in our care get minimal care. To off set this, I wonder if we could have rooming in rooms for mothers and babies who are basically well enough to go home 6hrs after the birth but just don't feel they want to (for a variety of reasons that would be solved by NMAP). At the moment I see many women in this situation who would like to stay maybe 48 hrs in the hospital but are sent home in between the shifts I work because we need the bed. To be honest, I don't know why they want to stay, and I do think they'd be better off at home, but for some reason (expectation??) they want to stay, usually they say to get breastfeeding established. Home visits by extended midwifery service is not really going to solve the lack of support systems that many women have at home. It does worry me. Insurance companies went through this about 10 yrs ago in the USA, where they were basically expecting women who had normal vaginal births to do a drive by birthing. What they did end up with was a lot of sick and neglected babies: failure to thrive babies: I don't know the exact stats but enough to get a federal law passed forbidding hospitals from forcing women out inside of 48hours after the birth. Of course women who want to leave early can. The key words are WOMEN WANT. We do know from homebirthing that mothers and babies do need a support system in that postnatal period and you just don't put it together moments before discharge. In solidarity marilyn - Original Message - From: Heartlogic To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2003 4:49 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it Judy wrote: With regard to the workload, I have just found out that the position I left last december has not been filled and more FTE have been cut from the staffing. Antenatal education is suffering and the workload is the same. I really don't know how the management (not midwife friendly) expects quality care. These hospital philosophies mean nothing when they keep doing this. Forcing such workloads is bullying in itself but I am sure they would not recognise this. Judy Yes, it is bullying Judy and no, they don't recognise it for what it is - because 'they' are so divorced from being 'with people' (aka with woman) - 'they'haven't got a clue as to the reality of our work - and so we have to tell them that the way 'they' construct our work environment is abusive. The CEO ofour place is a doctor whose background is pathology.The general manager is a financial whizz who is also adoctor and one who has never, from what I understand, practised bedside or even officechair side medicine. These people have absolutely no idea of what either midwifery or nursing is about. They do not understand the practice of either discipline at all. It is impossible for them. People can't do what they don't know. I personally find it simply amazing that these people have the right to dictate how nursing and midwifery budgets are spent. Where are all the tough characters that ruled the budgets for our professions andhad a say in the executives of the Health Services? The current trend towards clinical streaming is leading more and more away from the notion of self determination with financial matters. This is a huge issue for the union(s) to take up. Great opportunity here for all of us to unite and give the same message in a format 'they' understand. Time to stand up and be counted - we have the numbers and the power. I have been thinking - what would happen if we said by such a such a day at such and such a time, all over Australia, midwives and nurses would walk out and everyone did. We could give them two weeks notice, get doctors and adminstrators to organise themselves into rosters to provide care and then every single one of us, walk out. We have been 'nice'and compliant for too long. It is like being in a domestic violence situation - everyone wonders why women don't leave abusive men, but we know don't we? We care too much. Imagine if we asked for: midwifery models of care one to one care for labouring women well babies to be counted in workloads one midwifeto four motherbaby pairratios in prenatal/postnatal wards (that is whether the baby is internal or external to the mother) a recognition of the vital importance of the
RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
Sandra, What you have written is so true. People like to 'leave it to someone else' or 'I'm too busy' yet are so critical when things don't pan out the way they wish. I also feel some of that behaviour is indicative of repressed groups. Bullying behaviours are so rampant in health many people fail to see it as this, they think it is normal behaviour. Keep up your union activities up north Sandra. Good to see the media is picking up and reporting maternity service concerns. Cheers Barb -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
I will be contacting the FNQ rep. Thanks Barb. marilyn - Original Message - From: B G [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2003 1:58 AM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it YES YES YES YES you can join QNU I have attempted to ensure QNU Councillors are aware/educated that there are midwives who are not nurses practicing in QLD. You are not the first midwife to do so and some have been practicing for years! QNU put out an alert recently to agency staff regarding their PI insurance. Some agencies are trying to be considered as contractors not employers thereby adjudicating their employers responsibilities. QNU does not provide PI to midwives working at home births or if midwives are self employed. Recently there were reports that some city councils are setting up Nurse Immunizers as contractors. These nurses tender for a position and then are expected to get PI. They are also unable to obtain PI in order to contract for the work and are presently working uncovered and unable to have QNU PI as they are self-employed. Cheers Barb -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
Hmmm, you Barb and Sandra are amazing. Both being active in the union and doing what needs to be done! How sensible. I had drifted away from the union idea and hadn't been a member for ages, thinking that the union didn't have midwifery issues at heart and so was no longer relevant to me. It never occurred to me to become more active in the union, which would have been a far better plan I realise now. A position I now realise was the result of my version of learned helplessness, didn't think I could make a difference through that pathway. It has only been since coming in out of the wilderness (homebirth practice) and seeing how it is for my colleagues and students, not to mention the director of nursing who had been sidelined so much from the role of managing nursing (and midwifery)and who has been subjected to corporate bullying... g... that I felt moved to do something strategically intelligent instead of whinging and/or feeling aggrieved (which was VERY tempting and which I am still seeking to avoid doing :-) The position of the Realnurses team on the many complex issues facing our twin professions also gives me real hope. We can make a difference. Interesting looking at Victorian facts and stats about ratios for example - read on if you are interested... in solidarity ;-) Carolyn Hastie Council candidate, Realnurses and Midwives team (NSWNA Election June 03) www.realnurses.net I thought you would be interested in what is happening about ratios, so have included the following information: The Realnurses team are committed to delivering mandatory, enforceable nurse to patient ratios encompassing acuity and safe skill mix. This will be done in every sector - not just the public sector And this is only the start of our campaign to make nurses work easer, safer and more enjoyable. The Real FACTS about ratios Fact: Ratios have seen 2650 nurses return to the public sector in Victoria Fact: Victorian universities have seen a 26.5% increase in nursing enrolments since ratios were introduced Fact: Victorian employers argued that they would need between 800 and 1200 extra nurses, which they claimed would be impossible to get. In fact 2650 nurses returned Fact: In the Victorian ratios case the employer argued that they would need to close up to 1200 beds. They got the extra nurses despite the global nursing shortage and the mass bed closures did not eventuate Fact: The majority of wards and units in Victoria have now met the ratio requirements while NSW struggles with a nursing shortage Fact: Ratios are now in use in City, Regional and Rural areas of Victoria Fact: Ratios are being used successfully in a wide variety of clinical settings including medical, surgical, ED, midwifery, OT, ICUs, Rehabilitation, CCUs, Palliative Care and Special Care Nurseries Fact: Ratios in Victoria are minimum staffing levels. They also take into account skill mix and acuity of patients. Agreements have been signed in some areas to give specific wards higher ratios Fact: As part of the ratios case in Victoria, nurses were awarded 3 days paid professional leave Fact: The Judges in the ratios case stated that ratios had to be met through the employment of permanent nursing staff Fact: The Judges ordered the employer to employ an additional 50 FTE CNEs and an additional 50 FTE CNCs Fact: In Victoria ratios have improved roster planning Fact: Ratios are enforceable and guarantee nurses appropriate and safe staffing levels Fact: In Victoria, 'Patient Dependency Systems' were tried and discarded because they were not enforceable and management did not follow them Fact: Management in Victoria can no longer keep beds open on a promise that they will find more nurses later in the shift Fact: The Victorian model of ratios has been such a huge success that models are being introduced in Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, California USA, Massachusetts USA, Maine USA and are being looked at in New Zealand. ANF Victoria research is showing that ratios are responsible for: 1. Reduction in staff turnover 2. Reduction in sick leave 3. Improved morale 4. Increased graduate confidence because of suitably resourced preceptors 5. A decline in workplace injuries These facts are from the ANF Victoria website www.anfvic.asn.au and from the AIRC Victorian ratios decision. Please take the time to check the website and see for yourself. What About NSW Professor John Dwyer, Professor of Medicine, University of New South Wales and Clinical Director of programs for Medicine and Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, said as part of his evidence in the 'Whats a Nurse Worth' case: 'Now I know the argument is if we specify the ratio, given the number of nurses we don't have, we would have to close a lot of beds but the argument can be put the other way, until tested no one can give the answer'. The Realnurses Team say it is time to test the argument. He went on to say: 'We
Re: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it
HOORAY! Carolyn, your message hit the spot for me. I get so sick of midwives in all sitations complaining playing the victim instead of getting up and doing something! The more the merrier. Cheers, MM - Original Message - From: Heartlogic [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2003 1:49 PM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Bullying - doing something about it Hmmm, you Barb and Sandra are amazing. Both being active in the union and doing what needs to be done! How sensible. I had drifted away from the union idea and hadn't been a member for ages, thinking that the union didn't have midwifery issues at heart and so was no longer relevant to me. It never occurred to me to become more active in the union, which would have been a far better plan I realise now. A position I now realise was the result of my version of learned helplessness, didn't think I could make a difference through that pathway. It has only been since coming in out of the wilderness (homebirth practice) and seeing how it is for my colleagues and students, not to mention the director of nursing who had been sidelined so much from the role of managing nursing (and midwifery)and who has been subjected to corporate bullying... g... that I felt moved to do something strategically intelligent instead of whinging and/or feeling aggrieved (which was VERY tempting and which I am still seeking to avoid doing :-) The position of the Realnurses team on the many complex issues facing our twin professions also gives me real hope. We can make a difference. Interesting looking at Victorian facts and stats about ratios for example - read on if you are interested... in solidarity ;-) Carolyn Hastie Council candidate, Realnurses and Midwives team (NSWNA Election June 03) www.realnurses.net I thought you would be interested in what is happening about ratios, so have included the following information: The Realnurses team are committed to delivering mandatory, enforceable nurse to patient ratios encompassing acuity and safe skill mix. This will be done in every sector - not just the public sector And this is only the start of our campaign to make nurses work easer, safer and more enjoyable. The Real FACTS about ratios Fact: Ratios have seen 2650 nurses return to the public sector in Victoria Fact: Victorian universities have seen a 26.5% increase in nursing enrolments since ratios were introduced Fact: Victorian employers argued that they would need between 800 and 1200 extra nurses, which they claimed would be impossible to get. In fact 2650 nurses returned Fact: In the Victorian ratios case the employer argued that they would need to close up to 1200 beds. They got the extra nurses despite the global nursing shortage and the mass bed closures did not eventuate Fact: The majority of wards and units in Victoria have now met the ratio requirements while NSW struggles with a nursing shortage Fact: Ratios are now in use in City, Regional and Rural areas of Victoria Fact: Ratios are being used successfully in a wide variety of clinical settings including medical, surgical, ED, midwifery, OT, ICUs, Rehabilitation, CCUs, Palliative Care and Special Care Nurseries Fact: Ratios in Victoria are minimum staffing levels. They also take into account skill mix and acuity of patients. Agreements have been signed in some areas to give specific wards higher ratios Fact: As part of the ratios case in Victoria, nurses were awarded 3 days paid professional leave Fact: The Judges in the ratios case stated that ratios had to be met through the employment of permanent nursing staff Fact: The Judges ordered the employer to employ an additional 50 FTE CNEs and an additional 50 FTE CNCs Fact: In Victoria ratios have improved roster planning Fact: Ratios are enforceable and guarantee nurses appropriate and safe staffing levels Fact: In Victoria, 'Patient Dependency Systems' were tried and discarded because they were not enforceable and management did not follow them Fact: Management in Victoria can no longer keep beds open on a promise that they will find more nurses later in the shift Fact: The Victorian model of ratios has been such a huge success that models are being introduced in Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, California USA, Massachusetts USA, Maine USA and are being looked at in New Zealand. ANF Victoria research is showing that ratios are responsible for: 1. Reduction in staff turnover 2. Reduction in sick leave 3. Improved morale 4. Increased graduate confidence because of suitably resourced preceptors 5. A decline in workplace injuries These facts are from the ANF Victoria website www.anfvic.asn.au and from the AIRC Victorian ratios decision. Please take the time to check the website and see for yourself. What About NSW Professor John Dwyer, Professor of Medicine, University of
[ozmidwifery] Fw: eHealthy News You Can Use April 5, 2003 - Issue 417
Scarry how accepting our professions are of the safety of mainstream items for innocent new born babies Denise - Original Message - From: mercola.com To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2003 6:13 AM Subject: eHealthy News You Can Use April 5, 2003 - Issue 417 The Shadow of Soy - The Shadow of Soy - Soy is marketed as a health food in America, but evidence continues to mount that the soy foods showing up on U.S. grocery shelves are far from healthy. Childhood Vaccines Exceed Federal Guidelines for Mercury - Mercury in thimerosal-containing vaccines is in excess of federal guidelines, and researchers have found a link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental diseases like autism. Do you have a specific health question? Try typing it in our search engine and you will see if any of the 15,000 pages I have compiled will answer it for you. Tools to Help You Recover Your Health Upcoming Course/Seminar Information ©Copyright Dr. Joseph Mercola, 2003. All Rights Reserved. This content may be copied in full, as long as copyright, contact, and creation information is given, only if used only in a not-for-profit format. If possible, I would also appreciate an endorsement and encouragement to subscribe to the newsletter. If any other use is desired, written permission is required. You are currently subscribed as [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe please send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] from the address you wish to unsubscribe.
