IN PRACTICE News from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch) September 2016 | www.anmfsa.org.au PAGE 04 BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR THE PROFESSIONS IN THIS ISSUE: PAGE 08 CHANGING MINDS ON THE RIGHT TO DIE PAGE 16 KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY Connect with us CONTENTS COVER STORY Page 04 BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR THE PROFESSIONS COMINGS & GOINGS Page 20 PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF Page 20 PREPARE FOR RETIREMENT A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO/SECRETARY NEWS Page 08 CHANGING MINDS ON THE RIGHT TO DIE Page 09 A VISION COMES TO LIFE Page 12 CONNECTING WITH MEMBERS CPD Page 21 AUSTRALIAN NURSING AND MIDWIFERY EDUCATION CENTRE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Page 14 NMBA CONCURRENT REGISTRATION: ENROLLED AND REGISTERED NURSE Page 15 FEELING DIZZY? PROFILES Page 07 SIGNIFICANT SERVICE SECURES REWARD Page 10 GROWING WELL Page 16 KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY MEMBER BENEFITS Page 18 DRIVING HOME ANMF (SA BRANCH) MEMBERSHIP AUTHORISED BY ROB BONNER, DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS & STRATEGY All rights reserved. Material is copyrighted and may be reprinted only by arrangement with the ANMF (SA Branch). Advertising material is required to conform to our ethical standards, but does not imply endorsement. Proudly produced by the ANMF (SA Branch), 191 Torrens Road, Ridleyton www.anmfsa.org.au ELDER ABUSE: Protecting the community’s most vulnerable Like most South Australians, I was shocked to see footage of a care worker abusing a frail elderly resident at the Mitcham Residential Care Facility last September. I spent some time working in Aged Care early in my career. The hidden camera footage released by Clarence Hausler’s daughter, Noleen, showed the staff member attempting to suffocate the 89 year-old. Noleen had taken the drastic step of installing a hidden camera in her father’s private room after her complaints that he was being abused were dismissed by management at Japara. While there is widespread debate about the right to use such recording equipment and the right to privacy, the ABC’s release of the footage did shine the spotlight on elder abuse. While the vast majority of health care workers are competent and ethical, there may be small proportion who may present a risk to the public because of their conduct. The ANMF (SA Branch) has been lobbying for care workers to be licenced in the same way as are registered nurses and enrolled nurses. This would provide extra safeguards for our most vulnerable citizens by ensuring that incidents of misconduct can be better reported and tracked. Any such breach should result in suspension or loss of licence. I believe the requirement to conduct a criminal history check on care workers every 3 years is inadequate. There appears to be a political unwillingness to regulate care workers in the Aged Care sector which is under federal control. In April 2015, State and Territory Health Ministers agreed to terms of the first National Code of Conduct for health care workers, setting standards of conduct and practice for all unregistered health care workers. Code regulation regimes already operated here in South Australia, NSW and Queensland. While a code provides a mechanism to prevent people from being employed in other healthcare services within each state, it relies on employers conducting relevant checks and is a poor substitute for licencing or regulation of personal carers. Yours sincerely, Adj Assoc Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM SEPTEMBER 2016 4 COVER STORY ANMF (SA Branch) life member Dr Rosemary Bryant www.anmfsa.org.au COVER STORY 5 BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR THE PROFESSIONS While Dr Rosemary Bryant retired last year, she continues to make a significant contribution to the nursing and midwifery professions. At last month’s 2016 Annual Professional Conference, ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Assoc Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM announced the establishment of the Rosemary Bryant Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre to be based at the Nursing and Midwifery School at the University of South Australia (UniSA). “I am terribly pleased and I feel very honoured and proud. It’s fantastic. I never expected anything like this to happen” says Dr Bryant. Nurse education and leadership have been passions throughout her nursing career. Within 6 years of her initial registration as a nurse, Dr Bryant was appointed to the role of Charge Nurse (Critical Care) at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Within 10 years of graduating she was appointed to the role of Director of Nursing, Child Adolescent and Family Health Service, Department of Health, South Australia (1982-1984) and then Director of Nursing, Royal Adelaide Hospital (1984-1990). It was during this era she was instrumental in leading a campaign for career structure reform. Nursing education was moving from hospital training to the higher education sector, with courses being offered for the first time at the South Australian College of Advanced Education. Nurses were determined to change their career structure and the award under which they worked in the public sector. As both Director of Nursing at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and then Royal Australian Nursing Federation (SA Branch) President, Dr Bryant, led ten thousand nurses from major metropolitan hospitals on a stop work rally from North Terrace to King William Street and onto Victoria Square. The 1980s was a major turning point for the nursing profession. By the early 1990s, Australia was offering undergraduate nursing degrees in universities. “The main achievement of nursing education in the universities is to be on a par with other professions, we certainly were not in my day. They are educated at the same level as the other health professionals, in other words they have degrees. It gave nurses a new status and stature and a new standing within the health professions” says Dr Bryant. Under her leadership, many advances were achieved in the continuing development of nursing across policy, practice and research in South Australia. The Rosemary Bryant Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre aims to continue that work. “I first raised the concept of a Research Centre several years ago and it is so pleasing to see the work of our team now be realised” said Adj Assoc Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM. “It’s very exciting for the State. It’ll raise the profile around research within nursing SEPTEMBER 2016 6 COVER STORY and midwifery” says the Centre’s first Director, UniSA Associate Professor, Marion Eckert. “Everything we do in regards to the research will be highly topical, and transfer into clinical an education practice and policy.” Evidence based research is vital to influencing government policy in the health sector. The partnership between the ANMF (SA Branch) and UniSA will provide credibility to the research results. “One of the big opportunities, particularly through the research, is to provide evidence that nursing is a major contributor to the health care of the population and that good nursing care contributes to health outcomes” says Dr Bryant. “One of the negatives about the profession is we don’t talk ourselves up enough. I think we need to do more of that, and the centre will assist in that regard.” It is just the beginning. The first year will be spent establishing a partnership model and looking at state and national initiatives before determining the research to be undertaken. It will focus on the workforce and providing models of care for the best care outcomes. Rosemary Bryant – then DON at Royal Adelaide Hospital leads a walkout by thousands of nurses www.anmfsa.org.au “The beauty of the Rosemary Bryant Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre is that it will be able to look at what some of the key issues are and look at what some of the drivers are and then invest in research issues that have a huge impact on critical outcomes” says Associate Professor Marion Eckert. “Anything we can do around fostering innovation from a research point of view and improvements in health service delivery will potentially have an impact at a national level and potentially international level.“ Within 5 years, those involved in the Research Centre should be able to outline the progress made and innovations trialled and implemented. “It’s uniquely nursing and midwifery. It doesn’t mean we stay only within our craft but we are strategically placed to develop good partnership models with other organisations and other disciplines” says Associate Professor Marion Eckert. “I would like to see research which provides evidence about the relationship between the numbers of nurses and patient outcomes. Being able to provide the highest standard of care for the amount of money available is really important” says Dr Bryant. “Sometimes we are not in a position to lobby for that because we don’t have the background information. It would be very powerful for nursing.” The Research Centre’s namesake has agreed to be the first Chair of a Foundation being established by the ANMF (SA Branch) to raise funds to support research and development. Rosemary Bryant will bring great weight to the position, having been the former Commonwealth of Australia Chief Nurse and immediate past President of the International Council of Nurses. She is now also a life member of the ANMF (SA Branch), an organisation which she sees as vital to the nursing profession. “I have seen it from both sides. There is power and influence from being part of a group as opposed to being a lone advocate. The ANMF has so any wins under its belt. As an employer, it is always better to be able to deal with an organisation rather than an individual. We are very lucky to have such an organised, efficient and effective nursing union in this country” she says. PROFILE 7 SIGNIFICANT SERVICE SECURES REWARD “Surprising, exciting and a little bit humbling.” That is how Kaye Challinger describes being awarded Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her significant service to medical administration, to the advancement of nurse education, and to quality health care delivery. The former Royal Adelaide Hospital Chief Executive and former director of clinical panning for the new RAH worked in the acute health sector for many years and has a clinical background in cardiac surgery intensive care nursing. “Nobody gets anywhere on their own. It’s about people they’re surrounded with. I don’t think it’s just about me, but it was nice to be recognised” says Kaye. It was 1969 when she first started working at the Royal Adelaide Hospital after training at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital. Kaye has held senior positions within nursing including the Director of Nursing and Patient Care Services position prior to being appointed as the CEO of the RAH. Some major advances in nursing occurred during that time. “We were able to do a lot of good things including the career structure introduced with the (then Royal) ANF. We moved nursing education from post graduate to universities and introduced evidenced based practice after the roll out of ExcelCare” says Kaye. Kaye Challinger, AM ExcelCare is an electronic clinical nursing and midwifery care planning system which is now being replaced by EPAS under Transforming Health. resonates. “Nursing has always been fundamental to care. The manner in which nurses interact with their patients and their families can have a therapeutic impact.” Reflecting on the significance of the career structure, Kaye says “South Australia did that ahead of any other state in the country and it came from the union. It changed the way nurses worked and it enabled them to get recognition.” Kaye was among those instrumental in the Model of Care for the new RAH. Not everyone is convinced of the value of single bed rooms, but Kaye sees it from the patient’s perspective. Kaye sees a bright future for the nursing profession. “There has been a dramatic difference in nurse education in terms of the quality of their education and the number of nurses that have attained post-graduate and Masters degrees and now they’re going on to do their Doctorates.” The Joanne Briggs Centre for Evidence Based Practice she co-founded with Professor Alan Pearson is about to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. Kaye says “It is probably more highly regarded outside South Australia than within.” “As a patient, I want a private room. The biggest thing facing healthcare is crossinfection” she says. “I don’t believe they need less nurses for the new RAH and I don’t think they’ll need more, but they will need additional support staff so the nurses can do the nursing.” So are there any threats to the nursing profession? “The economy is one issue” says Kaye. “The Community deserves to have appropriate care but we don’t educate the community about paying for appropriate care.” Her experience also includes a period working as a consultant in the Health sector across the country. A central theme SEPTEMBER 2016 8 NEWS CHANGING MINDS ON THE RIGHT TO DIE The Victorian Parliament has recently released recommendations and evidence related to palliative care and assisted dying. A cross-party Parliamentary committee has released a report recommending the Victorian Government legalise assisted dying for people suffering from serious and incurable conditions. The report made 49 recommendations following a 10 month examination of similar legislation overseas. It stated the request to die must come from the patient in the final weeks or months of their life and must be approved by two doctors. The lethal drug prescribed would be taken by the patient without further assistance, unless physically unable to administer it themselves. And doctors prescribing lethal drugs would need to be protected. The next step is the implementation of a taskforce to examine the best approach to changing the law. Here in South Australia, debate over a new Voluntary Euthanasia Bill is on the verge of reaching the corridors of power on North Terrace once again. There have been many failed attempts in the past. October 2016 is the likely deadline for the latest Private Member’s bill. But there is a chance the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill 2015 will fail to reach the first hurdle - debate. Some MPs have already declared their position on the controversial subject, while others are continuing to consider the issue ahead of the conscience vote which lifts the constraints for voting along party lines. www.anmfsa.org.au The ANFM (SA Branch) has declared its position clearly. The ANMF (Federal) and ANMF (SA Branch) supports legislative reform to enable individuals with a terminal or incurable illness causing profound suffering to have the right to die with dignity in a manner acceptable to them, and shall not be compelled to suffer beyond their wishes. We also believe that medical practitioners and other health care practitioners including nurses, midwives, and personal care assistants who may have a conscientious objection to euthanasia should not be placed in positions that may comprise this position and that no discriminatory action can be taken by their employer. Meetings with state MPs have been conducted in recent weeks to ensure our position is made clear. ANMF (SA Branch) members answered the call to be involved in the lobbying, knowing it is no easy task to sway attitudes in this arena. Safeguards and controls are paramount to the ANMF (SA Branch) work in this area. The right for health professionals to exercise conscientious objection is a fundamental component of ANMF (SA Branch) submissions on the proposed Bill. We will continue to track the progress of the proposed Bill and provide updates through our magazines in coming months. SCHOLARSHIP A VISION COMES TO LIFE NEWS 9 ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL REGISTERED NURSES’ ASSOCIATION INC. Registered nurses living in rural and remote South Australia and the Northern Territory now have access to more support to undertake registered midwifery training. The Gwendoline Dinah Hendershon OAM Scholarship has been established by the Royal Adelaide Hospital Registered Nurses Association Inc. Adelaide born Gwendoline Henderson is a highly decorated World War 11 Nurse who began her training during the Great Depression in 1927. She trained at Riverton Soldier’s Memorial Hospital in South Australia’s mid-north, where the trainees were paid £1 per week. Gwendoline transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital two years later and graduated in 1930. She also trained in Mental Health and Midwifery before enlisting in the Australian Army in 1939 during her time in Mount Gambier. Her rank was Captain 2/27 Australian General Hospital. She worked at Woodville and Wayville before being sent to the Middle East. When she returned to Australia, she was stationed with the 7th Australian General Hospital at the Puckapunyal in Victoria before being sent to New Guinea. The list of medals awarded to Gwendoline is quite extensive. The Australia Service Medal 1939-1945, The Defence Medal, The Africa Star, The 1939-1945 Star, The Pacific Star and The Oak Leaf are among the accolades she received. Gwendoline was discharged from Army Service in 1947 but continued working with veterans at the Repatriation General Hospital in Daw Park until 1954. Keswick Barracks became her base before retiring in 1968. It was her service to veterans which lead to her being awarded the OAM in 2002. She always had a vision to establish a scholarship for country nurses to undertake midwifery training. That vision will become a reality when the first scholarship is awarded in 2017. ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Assoc Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM says “It is delightful to see Gwendoline’s vision come to life. The scholarship will provide welcome financial support for rural and remote registered nurses who may otherwise not be in a position to undertake midwifery training.” Registered nurses interested in applying must be Australian citizens living in rural and remote regions of South Australia and the Northern Territory. The scholarship will helps those undertaking midwifery training to get support over the four semesters of their university education. Applications close at the end of November. If you are interested in more details about the Gwendoline Dinah Henderson OAM Scholarship, contact [email protected] Gwendoline Dinah Henderson OAM Annual Midwifery Scholarship to commence in 2017 R.A.H. Registered Nurses’ Association is proud to invite applicants who are registered nurses and living in rural and remote South Australia and Northern Territory to apply for a scholarship to assist with Registered Midwifery training. For enquiries or applications: email: [email protected] or send to P.O. Box 52, Klemzig SA 5087 Applications close 30 November 2016 Gwendoline Dinah Henderson was a highly decorated World War II nurse whose vision was to grant an Annual Scholarship to assist nurses to undertake Registered Midwifery SEPTEMBER 2016 Training. 10 PROFILE Horticultural Therapist Steven Wells Healing gardens www.anmfsa.org.au PROFILE 11 GROWING WELL Steven Wells may not be a self-confessed green thumb but he does have green blood. Having grown up in Murray Bridge, east-southeast of Adelaide, as the son of market gardeners and orchardists, he has always had an appreciation of the great outdoors. But he chose a different path to his parents and trained as a nurse at the Underdale campus of UniSA before working at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Women’s and Children’s. Ten years after starting nursing, he went back to his roots and studied horticulture. He now combines the two professions as a rehabilitation nurse, horticultural therapist and ‘gardens and grounds project officer’ at Austin Health. Steven has recently returned from overseas after winning the Churchill Fellowship to travel in search of new ideas, innovation and excellence in his chosen field. In memory of Sir Winston Churchill, the fellowship enables talented Australians to get access to industry and community leaders from across the globe, exchanging knowledge, technology and experience in order to share the learnings on their return. Steven spent seven weeks visiting therapeutic gardens in Singapore, the UK and the US. “The trip is just the beginning” says Steven. “The idea is to put into practice the connections you’ve made.” One of two main sites he visited in the UK was Salisbury District Hospital which has a garden specifically designed for spinal rehabilitation patients. “The garden paths enable patients to go out in wheelchairs and even beds and not have edges to rumble over” says Steven. “There is also a program for volunteers to maintain the garden and integrate with patients.” The idea behind a therapeutic garden, particularly for rehabilitation patients, is that they are more like home environments. “It is interesting to see how people value connecting with nature and see the value of these to the holistic approach of health care” says Steven. He found the UK had a collaborative approach to the development of green spaces. “There are people on the healthcare team, as well as landscape architects and maintainers who are involved from the beginning. Those gardens are still functioning well and looking as they intended to look, rather than being run down. It’s engaged everyone and there’s ownership. It’s integrated within the organisation.” While some hospital gardens are spaces for rest, relaxation, contemplation and quietness, others are interactive and enable people to learn about plants and the natural environment or provide a therapeutic space. One of Steven’s key learnings from his travels in the US, where philanthropy is more ingrained in the culture, it that they include an endowment which helps with maintenance. “These gardens aren’t looked after by general garden staff. They get funding before the project starts to ensure maintenance beyond installation” he says. “One took four years from development of the design to the first soil being turned.” His work in horticultural therapy at Austin Health’s Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre in Melbourne involves using gardening activities to help patients with acquired brain injuries. He would like to see more research incorporated regarding the importance of the gardens, how they get used and how they can become an integral part of how we provide health care. “If we put these therapeutic spaces in, we need to do it well enough to ensure it’s sustainable” says Steven. There is one case which stands out for Steven. One of his volunteers had been a previous patient after suffering a brain injury during a fall from a ladder. “When he first came to rehab he wasn’t aware of who he was. The garden provided sanity for his family. They didn’t know what response they would get each day. He engaged with the garden and the horticulture therapy program and learnt to walk and talk again. He made a fantastic recovery and decided to come back as a volunteer because of the value to him.” That was close to seven years ago. Healing garden “Take someone that has reduced arm strength following a stroke. If I’m asking them to scoop a small pot and put the plant cutting in and then move it to the left, it’s working on range of movement skills and processing skills. For those who can’t use both arms, there is team work and social interaction. It is real word application” he says. Steven still works with patients on the ward one day a fortnight. He also works with them in the garden and develops gardens for them. His mantra has become ‘dream big, start small’. “It might be best to start with one garden and when that’s shown to be a success, other donors might come along and want to support another green space. In turn, management will see the value of what they’re investing in. It may not be a necessity, but patients say it adds to their recovery.” Steven also visited gardens in Boston, Providence, New York, and San Francisco before returning to Australia. SEPTEMBER 2016 12 NEWS Glenside Hospital Flinders Medical Centre Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre Royal Adelaide Hospital Lyell McEwin Hospital www.anmfsa.org.au NEWS 13 Repatriation General Hospital Modbury Hospital CONNECTING WITH MEMBERS Worksite visits have been undertaken by CEO/ Secretary Adj Assoc Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM to all of South Australia’s large metropolitan hospitals during June, July and August. Women’s and Children’s Hospital The visits have been great opportunities to engage with members about their concerns over Transforming Health and other major issues “It has been really useful to walk the corridors and discuss the concerns being raised, particularly at those sites immediately impacted by proposed service moves and transfers” she says. The feedback from members will ensure the ANMF (SA Branch) can continue to provide real support and accurately represent their views about the changes. The ANMF (SA Branch) will also continue to hold the government accountable to its commitment to maintain services and bed numbers unless and until reforms demonstrate they are no longer required. Queen Elizabeth Hospital SEPTEMBER 2016 14 PROFESSIONAL NEWS NMBA CONCURRENT REGISTRATION ENROLLED AND REGISTERED NURSE Do you have NMBA registration as an Enrolled and Registered Nurse? Since the introduction of the National Law six years ago in 2010, a transition period was initially placed where nurses who have held concurrent registration were required to elect, either to be registered as an enrolled nurse or a registered nurse. Enrolled nurses may decide to continue their nursing career and education pathway to become a Registered Nurse. There are many reasons why these nurses need to hold concurrent registration, that is both enrolled and registered nurse. The ANMF has lobbied and supported concurrent registration in the past years. Subsequently, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) now recognises that nurses with relevant qualifications may hold registration as both a Registered Nurse (RN) and as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) in Australia. So, what do you need to know if you are holding a concurrent registration? Minimise any potential risks Holding a concurrent registration, nurses must be able to differentiate between the relevant responsibilities and scope of practice for a Registered Nurse or an Enrolled Nurse. You should be able to articulate the differences to other health professionals, colleagues, and those to whom care is being provided. www.anmfsa.org.au While the employers must clearly define the role the nurse is working in, and colleagues must understand that role, it is vital that nurses with concurrent registration fully understand the standards for practice, and remain within the relevant responsibilities and scope of practice for the role they are undertaking, on each and every shift. When renewing your registration annually, nurses holding concurrent registration must also meet the NMBA registration standards, in particular the Recency of Practice Standard and Continuing Professional Development Standard, for both a Registered Nurse and an Enrolled Nurse. Update Enrolled Nurses Certificate and Medicine Administration Since the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme has been effective since 1 July 2010, all enrolled nurses who did not have the requisite education and competence to administer medicines were to identify themselves to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulator Agency (AHPRA) and have a notation placed on their registration - ‘Does not hold Boardapproved qualification in administration of medicines’. This notification will remain in place until the enrolled nurse with a notation provides evidence satisfactory completion of the two essential Board-approved units of study for administration of medicines. Enrolled nurses who are able to administer medicines must adhere to their local state and territory drugs and poisons legislation laws, and relevant policies, which specify the routes and schedules of medicines that they are able to administer. Recognising the work value of Enrolled Nurse – Outcome from the SA Public Sector Enterprise Agreement Negotiation 2016 In recognising the work-value of the enrolled nurse, the ANMF (SA Branch) has successfully lobbied for consolidation to one classification for Enrolled Nurse with Diploma and/or Enrolled Nurses with Certificate and with the recognised medicine administration qualification. What this will mean, is that enrolled nurses with certificate, who have completed the two essential Board-approved units of study for administration of medicines will be able to translate to the new enrolled nurse classification scale. The enrolled nurse concurrently holding a Certificate IV but who have not completed the NMBA approved medication modules, can take advantage of this career advancement opportunity and are encouraged to contact ANMEC Education and Training Centre. Head to anmfsa.org.au and then Education/Continuing Professional Development/Medication Program LEGAL NEWS 15 FEELING DIZZY? It takes more than feeling unwell to receive workers’ compensation In May of this year, the High Court handed down a decision in relation to the meaning of “injury” under the Commonwealth Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. Although the Commonwealth Act differs slightly from the South Australian Return to Work Act, the High Court’s comments will be highly persuasive. • on 11 March 2003, Mr May’s claim was rejected, noting that specialists who had examined him had been unable to diagnose any specific condition or determine a cause for his symptoms. The case before the High Court concerned an application for workers’ compensation by Mr May, an RAAF officer cadet. The relevant facts were: The question for the High Court was whether Mr May’s subjective experience of his illness constituted an “injury”. • between 10 November 1998 and 30 March 2000, in the course of his employment with the RAAF, Mr May was required to undergo a series of vaccinations. He said that he suffered a series of adverse reactions to these vaccinations; • it was not in dispute that Mr May suffered a departure from a state of good health whilst he was employed with the RAAF that it was accepted that Mr May did not suffer from a “disease”; • on 29 November 2002, Mr May applied for workers’ compensation in respect of “low immunity, fatigue, illnesses, dizziness - immune system/whole body”, which, he maintained, were similar to vertigo and sustained as a result of the vaccinations he received; and In line with earlier authorities, the High Court reasoned as follows: • injury is used in its “primary sense” and can be described as a “sudden and ascertainable or dramatic physiological change or disturbance of the normal physiological state”; • an injury therefore requires consideration of the precise evidence, on fact by fact basis, concerning the nature of the physiological change; and • it is not sufficient for an applicant for workers’ compensation to feel sick, hurt or unwell. A worker may genuinely complain of being unwell, but unless that employee can satisfy the Tribunal that he or she has suffered an “injury” (in the primary sense of the word), the injury will not be compensable. It was held that Mr May did not suffer an injury because: • there was no medical explanation for Mr May’s “illness”, which had been described as a “subjective description of a collection of symptoms”; • there was no objective evidence of Mr May suffering “vertigo” in the period following his vaccinations, nor was there any substantial pathology to explain Mr May’s symptoms; and • the medical evidence indicated a lack of any pathology consistent with Mr May’s symptoms, which meant that no diagnosis could be made. This decision highlights the importance of obtaining medical evidence establishing that a worker has undergone a physiological or psychiatric change as a result of an incident or trauma. It is not necessary to point to a diagnosis of a recognised medical condition, but it is necessary to have some form of physiological evidence, pathology or a known diagnosis to explain the symptom. SEPTEMBER 2016 16 PROFILE Robert and Robyn Hull with their daughter AlyssaTomlinson www.anmfsa.org.au PROFILE 17 KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY It is a rare event to find both parents and a child working at the same site. That was the case for Robert and Robyn Hull and their daughter Alyssa when, at one point, Flinders Medical Centre (FMC) was the base for all three. Robert is a nurse educator who blazed a trail as a male nurse and midwife in the early 70s. “Nursing caught my eye after finishing school because I was looking for something flexible. I was looking for a career that would allow you to move if you wanted too and something that would allow you to do more than one thing” says Robert. It was during his interview at Repatriation General Hospital that he realised he was following in the footsteps of his mother, who had been an Enrolled Nurse, and two Aunties. He experienced some initial resistance from his father who was an Adelaide Hills farmer, but persevered and went on to study midwifery at the Queen Victoria Hospital. “I had heard there was bias against males, so I applied with my initial instead of my whole first name and got accepted for an interview. They addressed the letter to Ms Hull” he admits. In those days, male nurses had to be 25 years of age to be accepted into midwifery. Robert was 23. But as a then married father of one, the hospital changed its policy to allow him entry. Robert met his wife Robyn when they both worked at the Repat. Robyn had trained at Memorial Hospital before transferring to the Daw Park site. The Repat was militarised and the staff would split into three separate areas during meals breaks. So a student branch of the ANF had been established at the hospital to foster a better working relationship between the students and Registered Nurses. “We invited registered nurses to come to a meeting and Robyn was one of two who turned up” says Robert. They were soon married and Robyn had to abandon her midwifery training when their first child was on the way. Robyn had been attracted to nursing after suffering a lot of illness as a child. “It was a big thing for a 17 year-old girl to leave Kangaroo Island and come to the big smoke. I moved into the nurses’ home and lived there for 3 years. We supported each other through our training” she says. After raising her three children, Robyn returned to nursing in aged care, gradually increasing her hours before doing a refresher course to return to hospital nursing at FMC. Alyssa is the middle of those three children and the only girl. “I didn’t want to be a nurse at first after hearing stories around the dinner table. I wanted to be a teacher and then missed out on getting into that course at Uni by 2 points. I thought I’d study nursing for a year and then transfer” she admits. That never happened. “I knew it was meant to be after my first practical” says Alyssa. She trained at Uni SA and even came face-to-face with her father as a nurse educator before marrying and raising four children of her own. When she decided to return to nursing, she entered the resource pool for FMC and Noarlunga Hospital. “Nursing is great. There are different areas to work in. Dad has worked with babies and mum has worked with the elderly. I’m now nursing in general practice, so one day I’m giving immunisations to a baby and then skin cancer from an 80 year old the next.” All three are long term members of the ANMF (SA Branch) and value the support it provides. “I needed legal help from the union after a debilitating back injury while I was working in aged care” says Robyn. “Things have been developed since then in protecting staff in manual handling and that needs to continue. I also think nurses need to look after themselves outside the jobs, both mentally and physically.” SEPTEMBER 2016 18 MEMBER BENEFITS DRIVING HOME ANMF (SA BRANCH) MEMBERSHIP By an anonymous member I have never really appreciated the benefit of being an ANMF (SA Branch) member until earlier his year. I want to tell you my story as a testimonial for the union. In February, I was involved in a serious car accident on my way to work. It was around 7.30pm and I had stopped at a red light on West Terrace in the city. What happened next changed my life. My car was hit at full force by a vehicle behind me and then my car proceeded to hit the vehicle in front. I wish to highlight to all ANMF (SA Branch) members and non-members the importance of a union when you really need one. The crash left me in terrible pain and I believe I had hit my head on the side window. I was suffering concussion and had shooting pains down my back. I now know the driver behind me had bent down to get their mobile phone and looked up to find themselves hitting me at around 60 kilometres-per-hour, forcing my car into the car in front. I contacted the ANMF (SA Branch) a few days after the accident, as I spent some time in hospital due to severe concussion. www.anmfsa.org.au The membership team was very helpful and I received all the documentation on accident cover within a day or so. A few days after sending my documents, I received a call from the Journey Accident Cover representative who was very helpful and worked quickly to organise my claim. The major benefit of being an ANMF (SA Branch) member during this period was their internal lawyer helped assist me with my current car lease. I called them for advice after being told my car was going to be taken away from me as I wasn’t working and my contract was not being met due to a lack of mileage. The lawyer checked the Terms and Conditions of my lease agreement and helped gain an extension to my car lease. They also advised me on a more suitable financial agreement while I wasn’t working. During my time off work, I also lost penalty rates which had a major impact on my family’s financial situation. Once again, I contacted the ANMF (SA Branch) industrial team who gave me advice on how to claim for loss of earnings during this time. As a result of their advice, I received a payment from the insurance company. The accident has left me permanently deaf in my right ear. I suffered multiple spinal injuries and permanent damage to discs in my lower back. I was off work for 5 months because I was suffering back pain, headaches, dizziness, poor vision and a bout of depression. My car was almost written off. The car which struck me was written off and the lady in the car in front of me was left with permanent injuries. I am thankful that both vehicles were covered by insurance, but most of all, I am thankful that I am in a supportive union who helped me through various issues during these difficult months. I returned to work in August 2016 on a daytime shift in the west region following funding cuts at my old worksite. My car lease continues under a new financial agreement. My spine nearly recovered after intensive physiotherapy sessions. I am hoping to have surgery in the near future to help regain some of my hearing. 1 WORKFORCE RENEWAL 19 More people in health and community services choose HESTA for their super Supports your industry | Low fees | A history of strong returns WORKPLACE SUPER PRODUCT OF THE YEAR - VALUE CHOICE WINNER 2015 RAINMAKER EXCELLENCE AWARDS Issued by H.E.S.T. Australia Ltd ABN 66 006 818 695 AFSL 235249, the Trustee of Health Employees Superannuation Trust Australia (HESTA) ABN 64 971 749 321. Investments may go up or down. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Product ratings are only one factor to be considered when making a decision. See hesta.com.au for more information. Before making a decision about HESTA products you should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (call 1800 813 327 or visit hesta.com.au for a copy), and consider any relevant risks (hesta.com.au/understandingrisk) LEARNING @ YOUR LIBRARY 1788_HESTA_Nurse_InTouch_189x124.indd 1 25/07/2016 12:17 PM See the full range of resources available using the online catalogue available at: www.anmfsa>Education>Library services>online catalogue or contact us on 08 8334 1969 or [email protected] Check out our version of ‘Netflix’ - the library catalogue has 542 streamed videos available, just log on to the anmfsa website and click on library services>education>streamed video library to watch! AN INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, GUZYS AND PETRIE (EDS) 2014, CAMBRIDGE PRESS, PORT MELBOURNE Community nursing is a growing area of nursing practice in Australia; therefore an understanding of the social and environmental factors affecting health care is vital for those working in this field GIVING FEEDBACK, MURCH 2016, WILEY, MILTON, QLD LEADING ON THE EDGE, ROBERTSON 2014, WILEY, MILTON, QLD Most of us avoid giving feedback and handle it poorly when received. An easy to read guide, this book explores the cost of poor communication, how to own your own ‘stuff’, and learning to provide safe and effective feedback personally and professionally Do you think you have good leadership skills or need to improve on them? Read Robertson’s account of her team – as a young woman she led an Antarctic expedition for one year and had to develop strategies to deal with the unusual workplace as well as the isolation, close living environment and the ‘no way out’ of any situation ASPERGER’S ON THE JOB, SIMONE 2010, FUTURE HORIZONS, TEXAS, USA This book contains advice for the increasing number of people diagnosed with Asperger’s or High functioning autism within the workforce, and their employers/educator or advocates. THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO STRETCHING, NORRIS 2015, BLOOMSBURY, LONDON Enjoy the benefits of having the scientific principles behind a stretching routine explained, plus exercises and ‘how-to’ applications for all muscle groups included, to maintain a healthy and well adjusted body SEPTEMBER 2016 20 COMINGS AND GOINGS COMINGS AND GOINGS PERSEVERANCE PREPARE FOR RETIREMENT PAYS OFF People are attracted to nursing for many reasons. Being diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of just 13 is what prompted Hayley Westley on the path to the profession. When Hayley returned to school after months of hospital treatment, she began choosing subjects which would ensure she could study to be a nurse. While still in High School, she began studying Certificate 3 in Aged Care. It was then she realised she had a talent for nursing. She is currently studying the Diploma of Enrolled Nursing through ANMEC. “It’s great. You get access to the skills lab and they give you real life situations. It makes you think. It puts all the theory to the test” says Hayley. It has been a tough year for Hayley who has proven to be resilient in the face of family tragedy. “I was on my aged care placement in December last year, when my 23 year brother took his own life” she explains. Hayley could have deferred her studies, but she pushed her grief aside and continued with her placement while caring for her devastated family. Nursing is not foreign to her. Hayley’s grandmother is a nurse and her grandfather was an Enrolled Nurse. When it came time for her next work placement, Hayley chose go to attend Port Augusta Hospital for 6 weeks. It can be difficult to get students to volunteer for country placement. “I did a lot of things out there. I even got to be part of a code team. I got to be in the room and got to wrote down the notes as they shocked the patient” she says. “Even as a student I got to help out with transfers and referrals, palliative care work and isolation barrier nursing.” Hayley is close to finishing her studies. She will continue working in Aged Care while she considers her next career move. “I don’t mind building myself up to be a registered nurse because I will have a range of experience” says Hayley. If you are interested in studying to be an Enrolled Nurse, contact ANMEC on 08 8334 1900 ANMEC student Hayley Westley www.anmfsa.org.au Staff and visitors at the Royal Adelaide Hospital will be familiar with the Lavender Lads and Ladies. They are the volunteers who wear a lavender uniform as they move around the hospital helping patients and their relatives. Felicity Gatley is one of them. The 65 year-old settled into the role after retiring from nursing in September 2014. She had worked as a midwife for 38 years at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital after starting Retired her career at Queen Victoria Midwife Hospital. Felicity “Preparation for retirement is important. I Gatley found it extremely hard to retire because I had worked since I was 17. Volunteering fulfils my need to be helping people” says Felicity. There have been many changes in nursing since Felicity began her nursing training in 1970. In her opinion, one of the most significant reforms has been the shift from hospital-based training to nursing training within tertiary institutions. “The status of nurses and midwives has been the biggest change in the profession” says Felicity. “A lot of that has to do with nursing training shifting from the hospitals to universities.” Felicity has worked with a lot of nursing students throughout her career. So what advice does she have for those about to embark on a career in nursing? “Make sure it is really what you want to do. It is not a glamorous career, but there is so much reward if it is really what you want to do” she says. “Listen to what people are telling you, both your teachers and the patients, and hang in there. It’s a tough road. Many drop out and for lots of reasons, but get support and advice if you feel things are getting on top of you. “ Felicity was a member of the ANMF (SA Branch) for almost her entire career. “The value of being a member of the union is immeasurable. They fought hard for our wages and conditions. Just knowing that if there were any problems, there was somebody there to support us” she says. There are several things Felicity misses since retiring from nursing, but the patients sit at the top of her list. “I miss the women that I looked after. I ran a midwives clinic for a number of years. I loved using my midwifery skills, I loved helping people. I also miss the camaraderie of my colleagues.” No doubt some of those gaps are being filled by the work Felicity is doing at the RAH. CPD 21 AUSTRALIAN NURSING AND MIDWIFERY EDUCATION CENTRE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Each CPD topic has been identified as being suitable for specific clinicians together with a suggested level of knowledge for each session. Sessions are facilitated by qualified practitioners and educators and are designed to enhance, update or increase clinical knowledge. CLINICAL PRACTICE VENEPUNCTURE WORKSHOP (CPD 3 HOURS) This 3 hour interactive ‘hands on’ session will enable participants to understand the anatomy, techniques and safety related to Venepuncture together with the correct use of Venepuncture equipment and optimal specimen collection. These aspects, in conjunction with practical demonstration and practice will support the expansion of this skill set within a clinical setting. Participants will be provided with a Certificate of Attendance and a Log Worksheet and will be required to record 10 witnessed successful Venepunctures at their workplace to achieve competency. This workshop is a precursor to advanced techniques and as such does not include education in Peripheral IV Cannulation (or Jelco). Presented by ANMEC Education Team Skill level: Introductory and Pre-requisite for Peripheral IV Cannulation Workshop Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives and Enrolled Nurses Date/time: Friday 30 September, OR Friday 25 November 0900 – 1200 Cost: Members $140 Non-members $170 PERIPHERAL IV CANNULATION (CPD 3 HOURS) In this session, through simulation and practical demonstration, participants are able to interactively learn and understand the anatomy, technique, safety and equipment necessary to successfully perform PIVC, along with indications/contraindications, complications, maintenance and removal. These aspects will provide participants with the knowledge and skill set to effectively perform PIVC in the clinical setting. Participants will be provided with a Certificate of Attendance and Procedure Log and will be required to record 5 successful insertions, under supervision, at their workplace to achieve competency. Presented by ANMEC Education Team Skill level: Advanced (Pre-requisite: Venepuncture Workshop or current experience in Venepuncture) Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives and Enrolled Nurses Date/time: Friday 30 September, OR Friday 25 November 1300 – 1600 Cost: Members $140 Non-members $170 CONTEMPORARY AGED CARE: HEALTHY AGEING (CPD 3 HOURS) This session is designed for nurses and care workers who would like to learn about the exciting philosophical changes to how we care for older people. Jo Boylan is a passionate advocate for leading and implementing Healthy Ageing strategies in the South Australian aged care sector. Jo is the Director of Operations at Southern Cross Care SA & NT and holds a Bachelor and Masters of Nursing and a Masters in Public Health. Currently Jo is undertaking her PhD focussing on a systematic approach to building a sustainable, integrated, healthy ageing, recovery oriented approach into aged care. Her aims are to influence a vision of improved health across the life cycle and compression of morbidity through practicing active and healthy ageing for health improvement, despite age or illness. Come and listen to the new way of thinking in how to support our older population to age well. Presented by Dr Jo Boylan, Director of Operations, Southern Cross Care Skill level: Introductory Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Enrolled Nurses & Personal Care Assistants Date/time: Thursday 8 September 1300 – 1600 Cost: Members $50 Non-members $70 SEPTEMBER 2016 CPD 22 WOUND MANAGEMENT (CPD 6 HOURS) This 6 hour workshop will enable participants to explore wound healing, wound infections and wound assessment. It will also involve discussion around the management of skin tears and pressure ulcers and look at the role of product selection in healing. Presented by Margie Moncrieff, Nurse Practitioner Skill level: Introductory Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives and Enrolled Nurses Date/time: Friday 16 September 0900 – 1600 Cost: Members $150 Non-members $180 MANAGEMENT OF ANAESTHETIC CRISES (CPD 3 HOURS) This interactive session will explore many topics of interest including the pathophysiology and management of Malignant Hyperthermia, Local Anaesthetic Toxicity, Anaphylaxis and Difficult or Failed Intubation to name a few. Presented by Dr Manith Kha, Consultant Anaesthetist, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Skill level: Advanced Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives and Enrolled Nurses Date/time: Thursday 20 October 0900-1200 Cost: Members $90 Non-members $120 A BETTER WAY TO CARE: SAFE AND HIGH QUALITY CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (DEMENTIA AND DELIRIUM) IN HOSPITAL (CPD 6 HOURS) This interactive full day session is designed to assist health professionals caring for a person living with dementia within an acute care setting. It will provide participants with the under-pinning knowledge and skills to effectively interact with people living with dementia, as well as practical strategies and principles to improve their quality of life. Presented by Gina Murphy, Dementia Educator, SA and NT Dementia Training Study Centre Skill level: Introductory Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Enrolled Nurses & Personal Care Assistants Date/time: Thursday 27 October 0930 – 1630 Cost: Members $200 Non-members $250 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CONTEMPORARY FORUM: MIDWIFERY: ETHICAL DILEMMA'S (CPD 3 HOURS) The session will explain ethical principles; look at how dilemmas occur and the ethical bases on which conflicts can be resolved. This will also include a review of the ICN, Midwifery Code of Ethics. Through a series of case studies, options and issues for consideration will be discussed and reviewed, particularly in areas of increasing concern and debate which may include issues such as: • Women’s right to choose: Maternal fetal conflict between the rights of the mother and the needs and rights of the fetus and 1:1 midwifery care • Breast expression of an unconscious woman in ICU • The right to refuse LSCS • Termination • Assisted conception • LGBTQ community Participants are encouraged to email any ethical questions for discussion prior to the session via [email protected] Presented by ANMF (SA Branch) Team panel Skill level: Introductory Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives and Enrolled Nurses Date/time: Thursday 15 September 0900 – 1200 Cost: Members $50 Non-members $70 UNDERSTANDING THE REVISED REGISTRATION STANDARDS (CPD 2 HOURS) This information session enables participants to explore the revised AHPRA endorsed registration standards and codes of practice, including the ‘Continuing Professional Development Standard’. It will discuss the role of a Professional Portfolio and its relationship to practice and explore the role of reflective practice in continuing competence. Presented by ANMEC Education Team Skill level: Introductory Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives and Enrolled Nurses Date/time: Monday 26 September 1500 – 1700 Cost: Members $70 Non-members $100 MASTER CLASS: MEDICO - LEGAL DOCUMENTATION (CPD 2 HOURS) This workshop is designed for nurses and midwives who are seeking an advanced level of knowledge in relation to medico-legal documentation. Geraldine Hannon - Manager, Representative Services will discuss key points on how participants can build on their knowledge of documentation and understand the risks in practice through the use of real life legal case scenarios. Presented by Geraldine Hannon - Manager, Representative Services, ANMF (SA Branch) www.anmfsa.org.au Skill level: Advanced Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives and Enrolled Nurses Date/time: Tuesday 18 October 1400 – 1600 Cost: Members $50 Non-members $70 CPD 23 GENERAL BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (CPD 3 HOURS) This 3 hour session will enable participants to maintain their annual competency in this area and will include an overview of the current Australian Resuscitation Guidelines. This session will allow participants the opportunity to review and practice the principles of basic life support including the use of an automated external defibrillator. Presented by ANMEC Education team Skill level: Introductory Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Enrolled Nurses and Personal Care Assistants Date/time: Thursday 3 November 0900 – 1200 Cost: Members $90 Non-members $120 HAZARDOUS MANUAL TASKS (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MANUAL HANDLING) (CPD 3 HOURS) This 3 hour update enables participants to maintain their annual competency in this area. The session includes an overview of the ‘No Lift, No Injury’ policy and will allow participants the opportunity to review and practice the principles of manual handling. Presented by ANMEC Education Team Skill level: Introductory Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Enrolled Nurses and Personal Care Assistants Date/time: Thursday 3 November 1300 – 1600 Cost Members $90 Non-members $120 NO LIFT, NO INJURY INSTRUCTOR UPDATE (CPD 4 HOURS) This interactive 4 hour session enables participants who have previously completed the 3 day ‘No Lift, No Injury’ Instructor Course to maintain annual competency in this area. Presented by ANMEC Education Team Skill level: Advanced Suitable for: Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Enrolled Nurses and Personal Care Assistants Date/time: Thursday 6 October 0900 – 1300 Cost: Members $100 Non-members $140 CPD ONLINE FOR MEMBERS ANMF (SA Branch) members have free access to at least 50 tutorials through CPD Online. Just go to www.anmfsa.org.au/ learning/cpd-onlineg to get started. SEPTEMBER 2016 Union Legal SA Why Choose Union Legal SA? Protection you deserve Union Legal SA is owned by the ANMF (SA Branch) and is the first law firm to be launched by a union in South Australia. The firm has been created to give members access to high quality, but affordable legal services delivered with care and compassion. Financial members may potentially receive thousands of dollars in discounted legal fees. You will feel comforted that your matter is taken care of within your union environment. Union Legal SA operates from the same premises as the ANMF (SA Branch) and there is a seamless exchange between the two organisations. Our Services FREE SERVICES • Telephone advisory service with a Duty Officer of the ANMF (SA Branch) • First consultation with a Union Legal SA lawyer for employment law matters (telephone or face to face for up to 30 mins) • Advice on defamation and civil claims relating to the workplace (confined to initial consultation and advice) DISCOUNTED SERVICES • Advice and representation on workers’ compensation claims • Advice and representation on general protections, discrimination, harassment and equal opportunity claims • Advice and representation on disciplinary proceedings by AHPRA / NMBA • Advice and representation on Coroner’s inquests No matter what kind of legal issue is involved, please contact us and we will ensure you have the right people assisting you. Legal Services for members of ANMF (SA Branch) Freecall: 1800 792 834 Visit: anmfsa.org.au A service of ANMF (SA Branch)
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