A MOUNT Gambier Hospital health worker claimed yesterday nurses were “working like dogs” due to the lack of nursing staff on some shifts at the regional hospital.
More than 20 nurses and midwives rallied outside the regional hospital yesterday in protest against prolonged enterprise bargaining negotiations with the State Government.
It is understood hospital management requested a list of nurses who attended the one-hour union rally so their pay could be deducted.
Fed up nurses told The Border Watch there were increased incidents of “fatigued” nurses working double or extended shifts at the Mount Gambier health facility.
Nurses – waving placards at the front of the hospital – said this upward trend was “unsafe for patients and nurses”.
Rally participants said they were 100pc behind the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, which was rolling out industrial action across the state.
One nurse – who did not want to be identified – said nurses were united behind the push to ensure safe staffing levels, improved working conditions and incentives.
“We are not rallying just for the wage increase, but about ensuring when we are at work we are not working like dogs,” the nurse said.
“We want time to spend with the patients and enough time to do all the required work. We do not have time for any extras, such as holding a patient’s hand or giving reassurance.
“We have to say ‘sorry, I will be back in five’. We then come back 10, 20 minutes later and patients are apologising for ringing the bell,” the concerned nurse said.
She said this was not good for their patient’s “well-being or recovery”.
“Patients are putting off ringing the bell because they are worried for interrupting you when you are so busy.”
Another nurse echoed similar concerns and revealed the occurrence of double and extended shifts was increasing.
Another nurse said they were told their wages would be deducted by an hour if they attended the rally.
“Some people decided not to come to the rally because the hour made a difference to their salary, while others thought it was important to notify the public what was going on,” the nurse added.
She said it appeared the government was not prepared to “negotiate” on any level.
“We are not asking for a great deal – we need to keep up with CPI and ensure we have safe staffing,” the nurse said.
Another nurse – who clutched a purple placard – said nurses were concerned about the diminishing workforce and safe staffing levels.
Asked if there were safe staffing levels at Mount Gambier, the nurse said “at times, no”.
“This is what we need to fight for. They (management) work the amount of staff required over a period of time, instead of a shift to shift basis,” the nurse said.
“This does not work – you are short one day and you might have extra staff the next day.”
The nurse said the issue of fatigue was a significant problem.
Meanwhile, another nurse said there were incidents where nurses started at 8.30am and were on call and finished at 1.15am the following morning.
“It does not happen all the time at Mount Gambier, but it does happen,” the health worker said.
“Sometimes it is just a few hours of overtime, other times it is eight to 10 hours – this is not safe for staff and patients.”
Federation chief executive officer Elizabeth Dabars said measures to prevent this all too common scenario were among those rejected by the government during enterprise bargaining negotiations.
“How can members of our community be assured they are receiving the best possible care if the nurse or midwife providing that care has been working for 16 consecutive hours?” Ms Dabars said.
“And expecting that same staff member to turn up to their next shift after only a few hours’ sleep is just irresponsible.”
Although enterprise bargaining discussions were now expected to resume next week, Ms Dabars revealed the state-wide industrial action would continue.
“Unless the State Government gives a clear commitment to revisiting its position on key measures including those creating a risk to the safety of staff or patients, nurses and midwives will continue to campaign on these issues in the public interest,” Ms Dabars said.
Responding to the industrial action, Treasurer Rob Lucas said the government valued nurses and the important work they did in the community.
“Taxpayers simply can’t afford 3.5pc per annum salary increases, however we have responded to the ANMF’s log of claims and we look forward to negotiating a reasonable and sensible enterprise agreement which benefits both nurses and the health system,” Mr Lucas said.
