Health workers claim they have been forced to walk more than a 1km every time they want to use a taxi, as Cairns Hospital clamps down on staff travel costs. The Together Union has raised concerns about recent cost-cutting at the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, which has seen managers restrict staff usage of Cabcharge vouchers, fleet cars, and even personal vehicles for work purposes. The health service is trying to reduce the $80 million debt it has forecast for the 2016-17 financial year.
December 5, 2016
The Fair Work Commission has approved an application by Eastern Palliative Care Association Inc. for its Eastern Palliative Care Association Inc. and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Nurses Agreement 2016.
December 5, 2016
The death of a 75-year-old woman from infection after she received in-home treatment by registered nurses cannot be blamed on the health workers, a West Australian coroner has concluded. Maria Niceforo had been a client of KinCare before she died in Armadale Hospital in Perth’s southeast on February 7, 2014. The Coroner’s Court of Western Australia heard during an inquest earlier this year she had been admitted three days earlier with a bleeding pressure sore across her back and thighs that had penetrated through to bone. The sores appeared to be contaminated by dried faeces and urine, while her dentures were covered with mould, suggesting they had not been changed for a long time. After examining issues including whether her wound care was of an adequate standard, Coroner Barry King concluded the infection was the result of Ms Niceforo’s deteriorating health and her refusal to do things intended to help her. He said she had a strong personality and particular views about the treatment and care she would be willing to receive that were sometimes unreasonable. “The deceased’s refusal to take steps to reduce her sacral wounds made the deterioration of the wounds inevitable and her incontinence meant the likelihood of infection increased,” Mr King said in findings released on Friday. There were systemic failures in Ms Niceforo’s care and treatment but those did not contribute to her death, he said.
December 5, 2016
Mariam Dafallah says an unfair dismissal settlement made with Aged Care Services Australia Group Pty Ltd T/A Aged Care Services Australia Group Pty Ltd is a nullity because she signed it under duress.
December 5, 2016
The Tasmanian government has confirmed that 11 children will be removed from its contracted Safe Pathways care provider, citing “anomalies” identified by a review of operations. The move comes just a fortnight after revelations in the media that the for-profit company receives hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in exchange for helping vulnerable children who are in the care of the state. “The transfer will take place as soon as possible, but allowing time to ensure that all children are placed in appropriate alternative care with as little disruption as possible,” Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma said, noting that a review of the company is ongoing.
December 5, 2016
Even though Elba Marlene Fredes sued the incorrect legal entity (Bernard Boerma, Chief Executive Officer for CatholicCare Sydney was wrongly sued as CatholicCare) she has convinced the NSW Workers Compensation Commission to refer her cervical spine and left ring finger injury for compensation assessment.
December 5, 2016
The Fair Work Commission has endorsed a s.189 (Arrangement for conduct of an election) from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation in Melbourne.
December 5, 2016
Western health and the Health Services Union will have their s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) determined by Commissioner Cribb in the Fair Work Commission 11 Exhibition Street Melbourne after 4pm today.
