ANF membership hits 200,000
Published: 15 April 2011
The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) has announced a massive increase in its membership across the Australian health system - with its membership now standing at more than 200,000.
ANF Federal Secretary Lee Thomas said today that membership had increased 10.5 per cent over the past 12 months - making it one of Australia’s fastest-growing unions.
“We thank all of our existing ANF members and welcome all our new members, which includes registered and enrolled nurses, midwives, assistants in nursing and students,” Ms Thomas said.
“There has been unprecedented growth in ANF membership in all sectors including private and public hospitals, aged care facilities, medical practices and community centres.
“This is an obvious reflection of the very successful campaigns run both nationally and by each state branch.
“Our membership numbers now clearly put ANF front and centre of the health unions and a major stakeholder in the health, aged care and the industrial and professional arenas, we will continue to be a force to be reckoned with.”
Ms Thomas said workforce issues were a key platform of the ANF’s current 'Because We Care' campaign - aimed at fixing Australia’s aged care system.
"Our members working in aged care are recounting how nursing home residents are receiving less and less care,” Ms Thomas explained.
“As a result, we are calling for a minimum number of nursing hours, to ensure residents get the quality care they need and deserve.
“The Federal Government must also address the wage disparity between aged care nurses and the colleagues working in the public hospital system and the level of staffing and skills mix necessary to deliver quality to our older Australians.”
Ms Thomas said the ANF will continue to fight so the Federal Government delivers on its commitment for significant reform to aged care.
“Australia’s aged care sector needs urgent reform to make sure we have more staff, much higher wages and a focus on quality care for residents.”
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