ANNUAL report - Queensland Nurses Union

INDUSTRIALThe QNU, as part of the Queensland Council of Unions(QCU), argued strongly against a number of therecommendations.Perhaps one of the most contentious recommendationswas the proposal to introduce draconian permanentimpairment thresholds to restrict common lawaccess. Following intense lobbying from unions, thegovernment has decided that thresholds will not beintroduced.Member assistanceThe QNU continues to assist members in workers’compensation claims and processes.Facility designWith planning now under way for the developmentand redevelopment of a number of major publichealth facilities, some unique opportunities existfor the QNU to help ensure these future services areresponsive to the needs of the community and nursesand midwives, address current and future innovations,and optimise the utilisation of infrastructure andfunding resources.Late last year we employed an expert Project Officer toexamine the processes associated with developmentsand redevelopments in the public sector and identifyopportunities for the QNU to actively participate in andinfluence phases of health service planning to create asustainable health system into the future.As part of our response we developed and launchedour Strategic Participatory Planning and IndustrialRelations Framework for Health Service Development/Redevelopment in the Public Sector. This documentprovides QNU Branch and Workplace Representatives,members and staff with a framework that will help ourunderstanding of the methods and processes used inthe development and redevelopment of health facilitiesnot only in the public sector, but across all sectors. Italso shows how we can play an effective role in suchprojects.In April we also held a professional seminar “Introductionto nurse engagement in the planning and design of healthcare environments in the public sector”. The free seminarwas well attended by members in the major health servicedevelopment and redevelopment areas.Recently we also finalised ourhealth and safety resource for2010, Facility Design. Thispublication has been developedwith the goal of providingnurses and midwives—inparticular those with healthand safety responsibilities—with information, examples,case studies and resourcesfrom across the globe thatwill empower them to play anactive role in the shaping ofour health care facilities. Thebooklet is now available formembers to download fromour website or can also berequested from our information hotline.Community care summitIn early 2010 the QNU participated in planning for theWorkplace Health and Safety Queensland CommunityCare Summit. Community Care has one of the worstinjury rates in the Health and Community IndustrySector.We will continue to seek every available avenue toreduce injury of nurses and midwives in all sectors.Education (of employers, staff and policy makers) playsa critical role in reducing injury.H E A L T HS A F E T YFacilitydesignwww.qnu.org.au Health and Safety 2010: Facility design | aANDFEATURE2010A QNU publication for members12 | Annual Report 2009-2010 | Queensland Nurses’ Union of Employees