Vic; Nursing numbers still down

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2001
Vic; Nursing numbers still down

MELBOURNE, April 20 AAP - A pay rise was not enough to attract nurses back into some
specialty areas where a shortage was forcing staff to work on their days off, the Australian
Nursing Federation (ANF) said today.

The ANF said many nurses who had left the service needed enticements such as child
care and discount parking to help them re-enter the workforce and fill desperately needed
positions in midwifery, in operating rooms and as home nurses with the District Nursing
Service.

The union took its concerns back to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission
(AIRC) today after workplace committees set up after last year's state government nurses
agreement found many specialist nurses were working, or on call, during their "four clear
days" off every fortnight.

The package, handed down by the AIRC last August, included a 12.5 per cent pay rise
over three years for nurses, extra allowances and varying nurse-patient ratios to be used
across public hospitals.

The package was unable to be implemented immediately because there were not enough
nurses to meet the required ratios.

Since its introduction, an estimated 700 nurses had been enticed back into the service.

Assistant secretary Hannah Sellers said at the time the package was handed down, the
AIRC had left it open to the parties to return to the commission if there were difficulties
implementing the ratios.

AAP jmw/clr/jas/sb

KEYWORD: NURSES

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