The ANMF has formally appointed its federal leadership team charged with achieving its vision for the next five years.
Annie Butler has been appointed as ANMF Federal Secretary. Assistant Federal Secretary since 2014, Ms Butler replaced Lee Thomas, who stepped-down last December.
Ms Butler said it was an exciting time with the unveiling of a strategic plan that would lead the country’s largest union and its 268,500 members in 2018 and beyond.
“I am excited to announce this ANMF Federal leadership team and its key priorities that will propel us forward. Our mission is to empower nurses, midwives and carers to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians.”
The Federal Executive positions were appointed at an extraordinary meeting of the ANMF’s Federal Executive in Melbourne last week.
ANMF Federal Vice President Lori-Anne Sharp was appointed the new ANMF Assistant Federal Secretary.
ANMF Federal President Sally-Anne Jones remains in the role and ANMF Tasmanian Branch President James Lloyd joins the team as ANMF Federal Vice President.
“We want the ANMF to be the influential and respected national voice of highly valued nurses, midwives and carers working in a world-class, equitable and fully funded health and aged care system,” Ms Butler said.
Six priorities form the ANMF’s five year strategic plan
- equipping the nursing and midwifery professions to deliver safe and quality care in all settings
- ensuring the professional and personal safety and wellbeing of nurses, midwives and carers
- positioning nursing and midwifery as informed, expert commentators
- developing evidence to inform and influence national health and aged care policy
- contributing to a sustainable future
- accountability and good governance of the ANMF
“We now have nationally agreed priorities across the Federation. These are long term goals that we will be working hard towards,” Ms Butler said.
“Everybody has a part to play in achieving these priorities. The Federal Office has a role, the Branches have a role and our members have a role.”
A key priority is equipping the professions to deliver safe and quality care across all settings. There had been some achievements such as in Victoria and Queensland which have legislated staff to patient ratios, Ms Butler added.
“Our big focus is on pursuing legislated ratios for aged care nationally.
“We have also set a clear direction towards positioning the professions of nursing and midwifery as expert commentators. We know nurses and midwives have so much to offer both in delivering care in our health and aged care systems, and in providing advice and input into how our healthcare systems run.”
The ANMF will look to establish and expand its research capacity to provide evidence to inform national policy and influence debate on health and aged care, and to offer alternative models.
“This includes nurse led and midwife led clinics and better use of nurse practitioners,” Ms Butler said.
“We will also continue our work around social justice and making sure we contribute to ensuring an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable future for all communities.
“We will be accountable and effective in using our members’ resources wisely and respond to what our members think is important and want for our professions’ future.”
