QNU Annual Report 08-09.indd - Queensland Nurses Union

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PROFESSIONAL 457 visas The QNU has assisted a number of members who have been made vulnerable under the Visa Subclass 457 (457 Visa). The QNU made a submission to the Visa Sub-class 457 Integrity Review late last year which outlines a range of legal, professional and industrial issues arising from employers providing sponsorship to overseas nurses under the 457 visa program. A number of our case studies demonstrate the vulnerability to which our members are exposed as a result of their visa status. The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) has employed an immigration contact officer who can assist us in providing support to members in regard to this issue. Queensland Health review of carers’ guidelines Queensland Health rescinded the CHO Circular 03/98 ‘Administration of medication by carers’ in early 2009. The QNU has continued negotiations with the Office of the Chief Health Officer, and to date the proposed replacement guidelines have not been published by Queensland Health. The QNU continues to provide advice and assistance to members who contact the Union with concerns about medication management practices in residential aged care facilities. Legal matters The QNU employs two legal officers and other officials to provide advice to the Secretary in relation to the legal needs of members and the QNU. In the past year the Legal Department undertook a range of activities on behalf of the QNU and members in relation to: 1. QNC conduct, competency and health matters; 2. QNC prosecutions for holding out, unlicensed practice; 3. Discrimination claims; 4. Charges referred to the Nursing Tribunal by the QNC in relation professional conduct; 5. Providing advice to officials; 6. Drafting submissions and liaising with government and peak representative bodies in relation to changes in Commonwealth and state legislation. 7. Appeals to the District Court of Queensland; and 8. Appeals to the Court of Appeal. The legal department undertakes a heavy workload dealing with conduct, health and competency matters before the QNC. Subsequently, we have developed a legal strategy in relation to QNC matters and communicated information to members on relevant cases and legislative changes. The new strategy has resulted in initial success and overt changes in the QNC’s handling of conduct and health matters. Physicians’ assistants The QNU continues to oppose the introduction of physicians’ assistants in Queensland. To date a number of physicians’ assistants have been recruited and placed as part of a 12 month Queensland Health pilot. Physicians’ assistants will, or have been placed in Mt Isa and Cooktown as well as at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and The Prince Charlies Hospital. A nurse practitioner representative will sit on the Physician Assistant Quality Assurance Committee which is responsible for monitoring the role during the pilot. 16 | Annual Report 2008-09 | Queensland Nurses’ Union of Employees
Social Strategic objective: » Facilitate action to achieve positive social change. The QNU recognises that positive social change comes about through education, policy development and involvement in social issues. During the past financial year the QNU continued to support the social causes identified by QNU Council and Annual Conference. Mother and child at the Shan clinic on the Thai/Burma border Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA The QNU continued our support for Union Aid Abroad- APHEDA during the 2008/09 financial year through financial assistance for specific health initiatives. The QNU will this year raise funds at our Annual Conference for a Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA health program on the Thai/Burma border. Australian People for Health, Education and Development Abroad (APHEDA) was created in 1984 as the overseas aid agency of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in recognition of the union movement’s responsibility to contribute directly to countries and regions of the world affected by injustices and human rights issues. International Nurses’ Day and International Day of the Midwife A new clinic space at the 139 Club for homeless was opened in April thanks in part to proceeds from the QNU and Queensland Nursing Council’s International Nurses’ Day breakfast. The breakfast was the highlight of our celebrations in May for International Nurses’ Day and International Day of the Midwife. This year’s theme was Celebrating Queensland’s nursing and midwifery history, as Queensland celebrates its 150 years of independence from NSW through Q150 events. Queensland Nurses’ Union of Employees | Annual Report 2008-09 | 17
Page 1 and 2: ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 Queensland Nu
Page 3 and 4: Direction and focus Strategic objec
Page 5 and 6: ORGANISATIONAL Assistant Secretary
Page 7 and 8: ORGANISATIONAL » Developing the ne
Page 9 and 10: INDUSTRIAL practitioners, midwives,
Page 11 and 12: INDUSTRIAL Of particular significan
Page 13 and 14: Professional Strategic objectives:
Page 15: PROFESSIONAL Mareeba case load mode
Page 19 and 20: SOCIAL The lack of gloves is a part
Page 21 and 22: POLITICAL nursing and midwifery sho
Page 23 and 24: Democratic Strategic objective: »
Page 25 and 26: AUDITOR’S REPORT QUEENSLAND NURSE
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QNU Annual Report 08-09.indd - Queensland Nurses Union

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