By BRIDGET COOK
THE nursing union is negotiating with Monash Health over a proposal to treat some emergency department patients at Casey Hospital in recliner chairs.
The plan would see a new space in the emergency department at the hospital with 12 recliner chairs for non-critical patients to be treated more efficiently.
Fair Work Australia negotiations are ongoing between Monash Health and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), who have raised numerous concerns over the proposal.
The main concern raised was about safe minimum nurse to patient ratios being abolished for the room, which would only have one nurse for up to 12 patients.
ANMF Victorian branch assistant secretary Paul Gilbert said nurses were supportive of the model in principle, but had serious concerns about understaffing, patient care and staff and patient safety.
“The current proposal is about getting rid of safe minimum ratios and asking nurses to do more with less,” he said.
“One nurse can’t safely be responsible for the treatment, monitoring and emergency response plus the paperwork that comes with admission, discharge and referral for 12 patients at any one time.
“We are also working through nurses’ concerns about access to oxygen and suction equipment and how patients requiring resuscitation are moved safely and quickly to the floor.
“Nurses working at the Casey emergency department have been kicked, spat at, verbally abused and we’ve had a serious report of a nurse being knocked unconscious and dragged by a patient.
“There are enormous demands on this department and situations can be volatile.
“It is important staff are safe. One nurse to 12 patients plus their relatives or friends is definitely unsafe.”
Monash Health emergency medicine director Professor George Braitberg said he could no comment further on negotiations taking place, but hoped an outcome could be reached to satisfy all parties.
Mr Braitberg defended the proposed changes to the model-of-care, which he said would allow patients to be seen by senior medical staff a lot quicker.
“It will improve patient transfers and significantly reduce waiting times,” he said.
“Clinically appropriate patients who present with less serious ailments, who are happy to be seated, may be allocated a recliner.
“Our medical and nursing staff are excited about the proposed changes.”
