ANMF Federal Secretary appointed to Council for the Order of Australia
The Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation has welcomed the appointment of its Federal Secretary Annie Butler to the Council for the Order of Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced four new appointments to the Council. Ms Annie Butler, Ms Cathy McGowan and Professor Samina Yasmeen have been appointed as community representatives, while Ms Shelley Reys […]
Scholarship scheme to be run by an Indigenous community controlled organisation
The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme, which has assisted thousands of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people studying an entry level health course, will be run by an Indigenous led organisation for the first time. Minister for Health and aged care the Hon Mark Butler MP made the announcement at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled […]
New Parliament’s first piece of legislation Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022
It is fitting that the first piece of legislation passed by the newly convened 47th Parliament of Australia initiated the start of long-overdue aged care reform. The new legislation implements several key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. While a great deal is still to be done, including introducing more […]
Paid parental leave to be extended to 26 weeks by 2026
Paid parental leave will be extended to 26 weeks by 2026 under a federal government plan to give families greater choice, security and support. The current scheme gives eligible parents access to 18 weeks of paid parental leave, and two weeks of “Dad and Partner Pay” to care for a newborn. The phased six-week boost, […]
Midwives under pressure
Midwives are facing significant issues with staffing across Australia. ANMF Branches have reported unmanageable workloads in postnatal wards, poor staffing skill mix, midwives being replaced with other health practitioners, burnout, decreasing job satisfaction, moral injury and vicarious trauma. There are concerns these issues are resulting in increased intrapartum intervention, insufficient and fragmented postnatal care and […]
Unifying voice- Tribute to Archie Roach
Like so many people across the country I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Archie Roach on 30 July this year, at age 66, a premature death, tragically a story too common for First Nations people. Archie Roach, Guditjmara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung), Bundjalung Senior Elder, was part of the stolen generation and […]
International outlook, local action: What is the Global Green and Healthy Hospitals project?
After the disastrous 2019-20 bushfire season and recent flooding in NSW, Australia’s nurses and midwives know all too well that climate disaster creates a significant health burden. Global Green and Healthy Hospitals (GGHH), a project that aims to address sustainability and waste in clinical health settings, was founded by Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) in […]
Elder abuse campaign focuses on perpetrators
A new campaign launched by the Australian Human Rights Commission to reduce elder abuse by focusing on perpetrators has been welcomed by experts in the sector. The Elder Abuse: Shift Your Perspective campaign launched on 1 October, includes a series of videos to prompt perpetrators to consider how their behaviour might affect older people. “This […]
More support for veterans living in aged care
Veterans, war widows and widowers living in residential aged care will benefit from expanded access to clinically necessary allied healthcare services and rehabilitation aids and appliances, regardless of the level of care they are receiving. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said the changes, which came into effect this week, mean all eligible veterans, widows […]
ANMF concerned by removal of COVID-19 safety measures
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has expressed concern that the mandatory COVID isolation period will be scrapped for people who test positive apart from hospital and aged care workers. ANMF Federal Assistant Secretary, Lori-Anne Sharp said that we were yet to see the real impact of dropping the isolation period from seven to […]