Cairns Base nurses to stop work today - 5 February 2002

11 February 2002

Cairns Base Hospital Dispute Update

Industrial bans lifted after extra 13 beds opened

Queensland Nurses' Union (QNU) members at Cairns Base Hospital this afternoon endorsed the lifting of industrial bans at the hospital after hospital management agreed to open and fully staff an extra 13 beds and to take part in ongoing negotiations about working conditions at the hospital.

Last Friday QNU members voted t impose a range of work bans as part of their campaign for improved staffing levels and bed numbers at the hospital during its redevelopment. Cairns Base nurses have been concerned about a number of industrial and clinical issues including:

• Understaffing and excessive workloads 
• Inadequate bed management policy 
• Emergency department blockages and 
• Workplace health and safety issues.

Queensland Nurses' Union (QNU) Secretary, Gay Hawksworth, said Cairns Base nurses have agreed to lift their work bans as an act of good faith in response to management's concessions on bed numbers and work pressures.

"There will be a meeting of union representatives and hospital management tomorrow afternoon (3.00pm, 12 February) at which the problems confronting hospital staff, as a result of the redevelopment, are further discussed. QNU members will meet again at 12.30pm this Friday (15 February) to discuss the progress of these negotiations and determine what action, if any, is required," Ms Hawksworth said.

QNU members at Cairns Base want management to provide them with the official bed and staffing numbers so a proper assessment can be made of their adequacy. They also want:

• The immediate implementation of an interim bed management plan; and 
• More beds opened with the proper staffing provided, so there can be an immediate reduction in the number of patient and bed movements and unplanned discharges.

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5 February 2002

Cairns Base Hospital Nurses to Stop Work Today

Yesterday's staff briefings by Cairns Base Hospital management have failed to allay the concerns of nurses, who will now go ahead with their stop work meeting at 12.30 pm today to discuss problems at the hospital including:

• Understaffing and excessive workloads 
• Inadequate bed management policy 
• Emergency department blockages and 
• Workplace health and safety issues

Queensland Nurses' Union (QNU) Secretary, Gay Hawksworth, said QNU officials and members have regularly raised concerns with hospital management about the impact of the current redevelopment.

"While any redevelopment causes disruption, Cairns Base nurses believe the disruption is excessive and the redevelopment period is being used to make budget savings," Ms Hawksworth said.

"Many beds that were closed during the redevelopment have not been reopened as the new wards come on line. This is putting pressure on clinical staff and leading to emergency department blockages. Beds and people are being moved around regularly and there are concerns that the rate of early discharge has increased to make beds available for new patients."

"The QNU is also concerned that nursing staff levels have been reduced without consultation. QNU members at Cairns Base want management to provide them with the official bed and staffing numbers so a proper assessment can be made of their adequacy."

"They also want:

• The immediate implementation of an interim bed management plan; and 
• More beds opened with the proper staffing provided, so there can be an immediate reduction in the number of patient and bed movements and unplanned discharges. 

At today's stop work meeting QNU members will also discuss support for Member for Cairns, Desley Boyle's call for an independent review of funding for Cairns Base Hospital," Ms Hawksworth said.

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