ENTERPRISE bargaining negotiations between the State Government and the nursing federation are moving in a positive direction following industrial action by nurses and midwives in Mount Gambier earlier this month.
More than 20 nurses and midwives rallied outside the hospital to protest against stalled negotiations for around one hour earlier this month.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation SA branch is demanding measures to increase safety and seeking better incentives and improved working conditions to ensure attraction and retention of staff.
Branch chief executive officer Elizabeth Dabars visited the Mount Gambier hospital yesterday to commend campaigning efforts of local nursing and midwifery staff.
“I strongly believe because the midwives and nurses have stepped out, it has made a difference and as a result the State Government is now listening,” Ms Dabars said.
“My attendance at the hospital was not to engage in industrial action, it was instead to give people an update and thank them for their participation in the campaign up to this point.”
While Ms Dabars admitted there was still a long way to go, she revealed in the last week there had been some positive discussions with the State Government.
“We are very pleased that we are now having some productive, confidential negotiations and we want things to be done in a timely way,” she said.
“We are optimistic about the future and the reality is we do not want to be rallying out the front of the hospital, we want to be at the bedside with our patients doing what we do best.”
Bargaining negotiations have included discussions about security of nurses, something that has been a hot topic in relation to the Mount Gambier Hospital.
“You would think that common-sense should prevail and that occupational health and safety should be a basic principle,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the reality is that for whatever reason there does not seem to be a strategic preventative approach to occupational health, safety and welfare.”
Ms Dabars said ensuring a safe working environment for nurses and midwives would form a critical part of any agreement.
“Nurses and midwives should not be looking over their shoulder wondering whether they can continue to provide care,” she said.
“They should not also be worried about their other patients who might also be exposed to violence and aggression.
“Hospitals and medical services should always be a safe place where people go to get quality care.”
Ms Dabars said the Mount Gambier nurses and midwives should be proud for taking the stand and advocating in the best interests of their patients, own professions and the local community.
“The core value of nurses and midwives is about providing quality care and if they are not supported to do that, they cannot provide that quality care,” she said.
“This is all about their service and dedication to the community and in turn we need the community to support them.”
