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

SOCIAL
More than 200 people attended the breakfast in
Brisbane, with key speakers including Deputy Premier
and Minister for Health Paul Lucas, Queensland Health
nurse advisor for Indigenous health, Odette Best and
Professor Glena Strachan from the Department of
Employment Relations at Griffith University.
The new clinic space at the 139 Club is available for
use by all visiting services at the club and includes
an extended assessment area for nursing staff, an
examination room, and a counseling room.
Social Charter for nursing and
midwifery in Queensland
In 2002, the Queensland Nursing Council (QNC) and
the QNU, in partnership with the community and other
nursing organisations, developed the first Social Charter
for Nursing in Queensland to recognise the important
relationship between nurses and the community.
The Charter includes statements about the contribution
that nurses and midwives and nursing and midwifery
make to the community as well as the community’s
expectations with regard to nurses and midwives,
nursing and midwifery
and the provision of
their services.
In recognition of the
dynamic nature of
health needs and
expectations, the
Charter is reviewed
each year on
International Nurses
Day (12 May) to
ensure that it remains
relevant to the needs
and expectations of
nurses and the
community.
South Pacific nurses
forum
Social Charter
A social charter is a joint
statement by those who share
common views. The Social Charter
for Nursing and Midwifery in
Queensland is a brief statement
recognising the broad expectations
and mutual obligations of nurses,
midwives and the community
regarding their roles.
As health needs and expectations
change over time, so will the
Social Charter for Nursing and
Midwifery in Queensland. Nurses,
midwives, the community and
signatories to the social charter will
review it annually to ensure that it
remains relevant to the needs and
expectations of all parties.
The community and the nursing
and midwifery professions are
committed to the continuing
improvement of the health care
system within a framework of
social justice and equity. The Social
Charter for Nursing and Midwifery
in Queensland reflects the
commitment of the community
and the nursing and midwifery
professions to this framework.
for nursing and midwifery in Queensland
The community, nurses and midwives have the following obligations and expectations:
PARTNERSHIP
A unique relationship exists between nurses, midwives and those people who seek
nursing and midwifery services.
Nurses and midwives develop partnerships with individuals and groups requiring nursing
and midwifery services to assist them to achieve optimum health and well-being.
The nursing and midwifery professions together with the community will work
towards creating new and innovative health policy and effective models of nursing
and midwifery that are responsive to the needs and rights of all.
Nurses, midwives and the community recognise the important role nurses and
midwives have in ensuring individuals are provided with comprehensive, meaningful
information to enable them to make informed decisions about their care.
To become a signatory to the Social Charter,
please contact either the Queensland Nursing Council on 07 3223 5126
or the Queensland Nurses Union on 07 3840 1444
Published 2002, Amended 2009
QNU Secretary, Gay Hawksworth, attended the 14th
South Pacific Nurses Forum in Suva, Fiji in October
2008, along with other representatives from the ANF.
Held every two years the Forum brings together nurses
and nurse leaders from across the South Pacific to
discuss and debate key issues of importance to nursing
and midwifery.
The latest Forum, hosted by the Fiji Nursing Association,
explored issues including nursing and midwifery
workforce levels, standards of practice, education for safe
practice, occupational health and safety, safe conditions
of work, and nurse practitioners in community health.
VALUING
The community, nurses and midwives recognise their mutual obligation to treat each
other with respect and dignity.
Nurses and midwives value their own and other’s personal health and safety.
Nurses and midwives value and support community participation in the development
of nursing and midwifery services and health policy generally.
The community values the varied and important roles of nurses and midwives in
providing health services.
Nurses and midwives have an obligation to value and support each other and respect
the role each has in providing nursing and midwifery services.
EXPECTATIONS
The community, nursing and midwifery profession expect:
Nurses and midwives will strive to promote safe, quality, evidence-based health
care with the utmost respect for, and protection of, the personal values, rights and
responsibilities of people needing health care.
Nursing and midwifery services are provided by nurses and midwives in the
community, residential facilities, general practice, hospitals and hospices for people
of all ages.
Nurses and midwives will maintain and advance their knowledge and skills to provide
nursing and midwifery services in the health setting in which they practise.
Nurses and midwives collaborate with other health practitioners to provide the best
possible client focused care.
Nurses and midwives work with individuals and the community to achieve optimal
health and well-being outcomes for all.
Nurses and midwives will actively participate in the development of health policy
and health services at leadership level.
The community will actively participate in the development of health policy and
services.
Resources are available to nurses and midwives to support the achievement of
optimum health and well-being outcomes in a safe environment for all.
Nurses and midwifes are accountable for services they provide.
The ANF presented the outcomes of the combined
work between the PNG nurses association and the ANF
in assessing the work value of the PNG nurses. This
study has lead to an increase in wages and a new career
structure for PNG nurses.
While the forum confirmed that our health system
remains streaks ahead of most our neighbours, it also
showed that Australian governments and employers still
have a lot to learn about workforce planning and we also
have a lot more to share with our South Pacific colleagues.
Gloves for PNG health services
While attending the South Pacific Nurses Forum the
QNU heard concerning reports from our Papua New
Guinea (PNG) nursing union colleagues about the
lack of funding available to provide even basic medical
equipment, such as sterile and non-sterile gloves, to
health services in the country.
QNU Assistant Secretary Beth Mohle sends the gloves on the first
leg of their journey, courtesy of Toll Priority Brisbane.
18 | Annual Report 2008-09 | Queensland Nurses’ Union of Employees