NEWS-HR

The Health Services Union and Austin Health are contesting a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute in relation to flexible working arrangements) in front of Commissioner Cribb in Conference Room E & F – Level 6 in Melbourne.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and Epworth Health Care have a dispute (s.739 – Application to deal with a dispute) listed for hearing before Fair Work Commissioner Cribb in Conference Room E & F – Level 6 in Melbourne.

Smith v Australian Unity Limited has been served with a s.372 (Application to deal with other contravention disputes) by an employee (Smith).

An application by Health Services Union (s.236 – Application for a majority support determination) will be determined by Fair Work Commissioner Cribb in Conference Room E & F – Level 6 in Melbourne.

The Health Services Union and Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) will contest a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Deputy President Kovacic in his ACT chambers today.

Jamie Vernon is retiring as Assistant Commissioner of NSW Ambulance Service.

The family of an Indian student allegedly murdered during an online date is calling for justice after it was revealed carers believe authorities should never have left the “extremely disturbed” accused woman unsupervised. Maulin Rathod, 25, was allegedly attacked by 18-year-old Jamie Dolheguy at her home in Ross Court, Sunbury, after the two arranged on a dating app to meet there on the evening of July 23. The Elsternwick man was critically injured and taken to Sunshine Hospital about 9pm, where he died overnight. Carers said Ms Dolheguy, had an acute psychiatric illness and was a danger to the public. Mr Rathod’s sister, who asked not to be named, said the family were stunned to learn his accused killer was living alone when authorities were aware she was high-risk.

A nursing home worker sedated two elderly women with severe dementia to make them sleep through the night, a court has heard. Farren John Wallace, 56, faced Townsville Magistrates Court, pleading guilty to two counts of unlawful drink spiking. The court heard that Wallace was an assistant in nursing (AIN) at the Eventide aged care facility in Charters Towers in February, 2015, when he slipped prescription medication Mersyndol into warm drinks and gave them to two women. Police prosecutor Darryn Casson said both incidents took place on the same night with Wallace sedating two women, aged 95 and 93, both with severe dementia. Mr Casson said both women often wandered the facility at night due to their dementia and Wallace gave them each a warm drink with the medication mixed into it. “The defendant at the time had made certain admissions to another AIN working at the ward at the time and said ‘she should fall asleep soon after she drinks that’,” he said. “The witness then queried what substance was placed in her drink and the defendant stated it was Mersyndol. “It was in a yellow capsule, he stated that he broke it open and tipped it in.” Mr Casson said in relation to the second woman, a witness saw Wallace place something in her drink. “At the time the defendant stated to the witness AIN, ‘I am sick of having a s*** night and I just want to have a quiet night’,” he said. “The defendant then stated to the witness, ‘this is between us, don’t say anything’.” Mr Casson said each woman fell asleep in their chair shortly after being drugged. The court heard one woman’s doctor said she was already on the maximum dosage of codeine, which is contained in Mersyndol, and any extra dosage would have placed her at risk of liver toxicity. Defence barrister Harvey Walters said Wallace was very apologetic for his actions and had lost his career. “He has worked at the nursing home on and off for 20 years … he’ll never work there again,” he said. Magistrate Ross Mack said the offence was committed to make Wallace’s night easier, without an consideration to the effects of the drug aside from sedation. “Ladies such as the two victims are placed in hospitals such as Eventide so they can be safe and cared for in their twilight years. “Families entrust their elderly family members to these institutions to be cared for in a dignified way. “That trust was in this case breached in the most selfish way and you stand condemned for that breach of trust and your cavalier attitude to the possible effects the drug may have had on the victims.” Wallace was sentenced to six months imprisonment, fully suspended.