See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil: The conspiracy of silence within the medical profession
The phrase ‘conspiracy of silence’ is defined by Collins Dictionary as: ‘If there is a conspiracy of silence about something, people who know about it have agreed that they will not talk publicly about it, although it would probably be a good thing if people in general knew about it’.1 Sadly, this term accurately describes […]
Sleep Awareness Week 2024: practical strategies for shift workers
Are you getting enough quality shuteye as a shift worker? What works for you, and what doesn’t? Is it time to try something new? Sleep Awareness Week runs 10-16 March and is a time to reemphasise the importance of sleep on your health and wellbeing. Sleep researcher, Alexandra Shriane, a former paramedic and shift worker, […]
Empowering employees: Australia’s new labour laws bring long-awaited protections
In a significant stride toward fair and just workplaces, the Closing Loopholes Bill proposes to usher in a wave of comprehensive labour reforms aimed at bolstering protections for workers across various sectors. These transformative laws would address a range of issues, from eradicating exploitative practices in the gig economy to ensuring better rights for casual […]
New nurse-led Queensland healthcare clinics welcomed
The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU) has welcomed the state government’s announcement of four new nurse-led healthcare clinics across Queensland. The four walk-in clinics will be staffed by nurse practitioners and nurses with a focus on the healthcare needs of women and girls. The nurse practitioner level care will be free of charge, regardless […]
Increasing equity in access to healthcare
Ensuring equitable access to healthcare means that every Australian, irrespective of their socio-economic status, geographical location, or other factors, has the capacity to access essential health services when and where they need them. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is actively involved in a range of strategically aligned initiatives to achieve this goal, such […]
Solidarity and activism: The vital role of nurses and midwives in the union
Nurses and midwives, the backbone of healthcare, provide essential patient-centred care across the health system, yet experience diverse challenges. Active involvement in the ANMF’s state and territory branches empowers them as advocates for change. This includes improving wages, safety, patient care, and influencing healthcare policy, benefiting both health professionals and people. Retired Victorian registered nurses […]
Leadership and Management: Not one and the same
Leadership can often be mistaken with management and the two do overlap. But while leadership and management in nursing and midwifery share some similarities, they are two distinct roles. “The biggest difference is that while we have leadership skills inherent in all of us, management is more of a learnt process”, says RN and Academic […]
Gender pay gap data reveals substantial pay disparity
Unions have welcomed publication of the gender pay gap for nearly 5,000 Australian private sector employers for the first time but urge more needs to be done to close the disparity. “Publicising the gender pay gap is a tool that works – it shines a light on entrenched practices and structural inequalities that see women […]
Supporting nurses to work to their scope of practice
In October 2023, the federal government launched Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – scope of practice review. The independent review will examine the barriers and incentives faced by health practitioners working to their scope of practice (SoP) in primary healthcare (PHC). The review aims to deliver better health outcomes for people as well […]
Transforming nursing assessment in acute hospitals
Optimising ward nursing physical assessment to detect early changes and trends in patient condition can enhance hospital safety, new research shows. The approach re-focuses nursing assessment from routinised patient observations of vital signs to purposeful and ongoing physical assessment. “Although hospital rapid response systems for rescuing deteriorating patients provide a safety net, detection of clinical […]