AUSTRALIAN NURSING FEDERATION. federal office annual report

Transcription

1 AUSTRALIAN NURSING FEDERATION federal office annual report

2 Australian Nursing Federation Canberra Office 3/28 Eyre Street Kingston ACT Australia 2604 T F E anfcanberra@anf.org.au Melbourne Office Level 1, 365 Queen Street Melbourne VIC Australia 3000 T F E anfmelbourne@anf.org.au 'What is food for one is to others bitter poison' (Lucretius Roman poet, philosopher and scientist - 96 BC-55 BC)

3 table of contents Federal President s Report Federal Secretary s Report The Federation Federal Industrial Report Federal Professional Report Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing Australian Nursing Journal Australian Nursing Federation Financial Statement

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5 federal president s report Although it has been a difficult year for The Federal Executive has met nine meetings to inform the community the 7th Biennial National Delegates trade unions throughout Australia, the times and Federal Council six times about the potential losses to their rights Conference with close to 100 delegates Federation continues to grow and achieve positive outcomes for its members throughout the nation. Unfortunately for the working people of this nation, this last year has seen the eventual introduction of the Federal Government's appalling industrial relations laws. Despite this erosion to worker's rights, the year has seen some improvements in the wages and conditions of the nursing and midwifery profession, particularly for some of our aged care and private sector colleagues due to the excellent industrial lobbying by the State and Territory Branches. Even with this, we are yet to achieve our ultimate goal of wage parity in all of the states and territories. Wage parity will however continue to be an important goal of the throughout the year in order to deal with issues and the ongoing management of the Federation. These meetings provided an opportunity to address common industrial and professional issues being faced by the ANF State and Territory Branches and also for essential strategic planning for the Federation's future direction. Clearly, our biggest focus for the year in terms of political activism has been our involvement in the ACTU's 'Your Rights at Work' campaign. The Federal ANF, State and Territory ANF Branches (including the QNU and NSWNA) have all been extremely active in their involvement and support for this national campaign to protect the rights of working at work. Some of the more serious consequences of the new laws adversely affect our members in terms of their ability to be collectively represented by their union. Public sector nurses in some states have been fortunate enough to have been granted a temporary reprieve from these laws under protections given by State Labor government initiatives. Nurses and the nursing profession stand to lose enormously if the impact of the introduction of AWAs and other award stripping industrial agreements are not halted in the near future. For this reason, the ANF will continue to be involved in the 'Your Rights at Work' campaign until our members' rights can be protected. from across Australia attending. The welcome to country was performed by the Kenby Dance Troupe on behalf of the traditional landowners, the Larrakia people, and was well received by the delegates. Following the opening of conference by the Honorable Dr Peter Toyne (NT Minister for Health, Minister for Justice and Attorney General), a number of invited guest speakers address the gathering. Speakers included a representative from the NTEU, Jill Haynes and Elisabeth de Lino Araujo from APHEDA in East Timor, Agnes Stanilaus-Large from the ANF Tasmania Branch, Liz Cloughessy from the NSW Health Counter Disaster Unit, Sandra Smiles from the NT Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance, and Murray Paiva, ANF and will remain on our agenda into Australians. There have been a number On a much happier note in October 2005 Secretary of the Papua New Guinea the future. of national days of action and public the ANF Northern Territory Branch hosted Nurses' Association. 1

6 federal president s report In this forum, the delegates were able to enthusiastically discuss and debate a wide range of important nursing, midwifery and health issues, including professional and education issues, aged care, unlicensed and unregulated workers, and industrial issues such as the Federal Government's proposed changes to the industrial relations laws. Over 50 motions were debated, with the outcome of a number of new agreed positions on the current policy and future direction for the ANF. It was agreed that the 8th National Biennial Conference of Delegates in 2007 will be held in Melbourne and hosted by the ANF Victoria Branch. As President of the Federation, I would like to acknowledge the strong and effective leadership shown by Jill Iliffe and Gerardine Kearney in dealing with the many important issues faced by the Federation over the past year. The Federal Executive and Council together with this leadership continue to admirably advocate for and represent nurses effectively both nationally and internationally. Finally, on behalf of the ANF Federal Executive, Federal Council and the ANF membership, I would like to once again thank all the staff of the Federal Office for their dedication and hard work over the past year. They are a great supporting team and clearly committed to the goals of the Federation. I look forward to working with all of the staff over the coming year to further the interests of the Federation and its members. Coral Levett Federal President 2

7 federal secretary s report Over the last twelve months, the biggest appearing before the Senate Inquiry ANF Membership Branch Secretary. Anoni Morse challenge for unions has been the into the industrial relations changes; was re-elected Branch President. Howard Government's harsh and punitive industrial relations legislation, WorkChoices, which was proclaimed on 27 March The Government's control of the Senate has put unions and workers under deliberate and systematic attack. The industrial relations legislation is aimed at destroying unions, destroying workers' rights, and placing power firmly in the hands of employers and business. Unions are having to reassess their options for providing industrial advocacy, for remaining viable organisations and for achieving and maintaining decent working conditions for their members. Dealing with the implications of the WorkChoices legislation has occupied and will continue to occupy a significant amount of time and energy for the ANF Federal Office. The Federal Office supporting and attending the two major national days of community protest in November 2005 and June 2006; being a member of the ACTU Industrial Relations campaign committee; sponsoring a Marginal Seat Campaign Coordinator in Deakin, Victoria; undertaking polling of members in marginal seats; taking part in the ACTU's Unions Australia initiative; financially supporting the ACTU 'Your Rights at Work' TV commercials; and providing ongoing education and information to ANF members through the ANJ and the Federal Office website. The ANF is represented on the ACTU Executive. Executive meetings were held July 2005; November In 2005 the ANF membership increased by 3.83%. Total membership stood at 147,972 at 31 December To assist Branches to work in the new industrial climate, corporate research was undertaken on fifteen national employers of nurses. The research provides corporate and industrial profiles and is included on the ANF industrial data base. Four ANF Branches held elections in 2005: Lisa Fitzpatrick and Jan Brownrigg were re-elected Victorian Branch Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively. Clare McGinness was re-elected Branch President. Yvonne Falckh was elected as Northern Territory Branch Secretary. Coral Levett was re-elected New South Wales Nurses' Association President. 7th Biennial National Delegates Conference The 7th Biennial National Delegates Conference was held in Darwin on 20 and 21 October It was a great success attended by over 100 delegates. The 8th Biennial National Delegates Conference will be held in activity has involved: 2005; and 7-8 March Neroli Ellis was re-elected Tasmanian Melbourne October

8 federal secretary s report Premises ANJ and AJAN, along with our website, Resident Classification Scale (RCS). of two union appointments on a tripartite The ANF is purchasing new premises in Melbourne, situated on the first floor of the newly purchased ACTU building in Queen Street in the Melbourne CBD. The ANF Canberra premises have been paid off adding to the financial stability of the organisation. Nursing Education The Federal Office, with the assistance of the ANF South Australian Branch, was successful in their application to become a Registered Training Organisation which will allow us to offer a range of national qualifications in the health and community services area, particularly for assistants in nursing / personal care assistants and enrolled nurses. Courses are currently being offered in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Communication provide a vital link to Branches and members as well as providing useful information to other interested parties. The Federal Office website is an interactive medium for feedback and discussion. Secure sites have been established for Federal Executive, Federal Office staff, IAC and PAC. Submissions The ANF Federal Office responds to calls for submissions on all areas that affect nursing. Copies of all the submissions can be found on the ANF Federal Office website: Aged Care The ANF has been involved at all levels in work being done to implement selected recommendations of the Hogan Report. Of key importance was the development of the Aged Care Funding Instrument The ACFI is based on care needs rather than care provided, and should result in less paper work for nurses working in aged care. It is also trialing external rather than internal assessment. The ANF Federal Office continues to act as Secretariat for the National Aged Care Alliance which is the main multi-representative peak body for the aged care sector. The ANF is represented on the Aged Care Advisory Committee, the Aged Care Workforce Committee, the National Accreditation Agency Liaison Group and the Aged Care Funding Instrument Working Group. Occupational Health and Safety The ANF is represented on the new OHS federal body, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC). committee. The Federal Office works closely with the ANF Branches on OHS issues and with the ACTU OHS groups. Projects The project to review the Competency Standards for the Advanced Registered Nurse and to develop Competency Standards for the Advanced Enrolled Nurse and Competency Standards for Registered and Enrolled Nurses in General Practice has been completed. Further funding was secured to produce a tool kit to assist nurses, general practitioners and practice managers to use the competency standards. The Information Technology project, looking at nurses' access to and use of information technology, barriers to that access and use and recommendations to enhance access and use is nearing The ANF Federal Office journals, the (ACFI) which is intended to replace the This is an important position, being one completion. 4

9 federal secretary s report The ANF is represented on a wide the development of health reform International activities claims and the implementation of a work range of projects being conducted by other organisations, such as the ANMC, the ACMI, RCNA, the RACGP and the ADGP. Nursing and health policy The ANF Federal Office is actively involved in all levels of nursing and health policy development whether it is through direct representation, persistent lobbying, engaging the media or calling on our membership to become involved. Nursing Workforce During the year the Productivity Commission released its report into the health workforce. A move to national registration and national accreditation policy as a member of the Australian Health Care Reform Alliance; successfully lobbying for more undergraduate nursing places in universities; successful lobbying for an increase in funding for clinical education in undergraduate nursing courses; maintaining national links and working with other national nursing organisations, such as the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses, Royal College of Nursing Australia, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Australian College of Deans of The ANF participates in activities of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation, the International Council of Nurses and the South Pacific Nurses Forum. East Timor Financial and other support for the East Timor Nurses Association continues. In October 2005 the East Timor Nurses Association held their second Congress (the first was their inaugural Congress in 2005). Agnes Stanislaus-Large from the ANF Tasmanian Branch spent three weeks in East Timor helping to organise the conference and providing support with organisational capacity building Papua New Guinea value study. The campaign was a great success with the government agreeing to back pay for the last EBA terms and conditions (which had not been honoured) and allocating enough money in the coming budget to cover terms won in this latest EBA. The ANF is working in partnership with the World Health Organisation to assist the PNGNA to conduct the work value study. Acknowledgement The ANF would not be the successful organisation it is without the commitment, dedication and hard work of the Federal Council, Federal Executive, Branch staff, Branch Councillors, job representatives, delegates and members in what has been a very challenging year. of education programs for the health workforce was announced (by July 2008). Nursing and Midwifery; and providing secretariat services for the The ANF Federal Office worked very closely with the Papua New Guinea Some other key areas for the ANF this National Nursing Organisations and Nurses Association (PNG NA) in their Jill Iliffe year have been: the Australian Peak Nursing Forum. recent campaign around their industrial Federal Secretary 5

10 the federation Federal Office Federal Council Members Federal Executive Members Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe Assistant Federal Secretary Gerardine (Ged) Kearney Federal Professional Officer Victoria Gilmore to 06/11/05 Fiona Armstrong from 07/11/05 Professional Research Officer Elizabeth Reale from 07/11/05 Federal Liaison Officer Victoria Gilmore from 07/11/05 Federal Industrial Officer Nick Blake Industrial Research Officer Debbie Richards Federal Communications Officer Heather Witham to 19/08/05 Catherine Beadnell from 22/05/06 Editor, ANJ Yvonne Kelley to 2/12/05 Lani Stanistreet from 05/12/05 Journalists Marcelle Mogg from 19/09/05 to 24/03/06 Catherine Beadnell from 07/11/05 to 19/05/06 Associate Editor, AJAN Fiona Armstrong to 06/11/05 Editor, AJAN Jackie Jones Information and Resources Officer Elizabeth Reale to 06/11/05 Finance/Office Manager Barbara Hughes Federal Graphic Design Officer Krista McClelland Administrative Officer, Projects and Publications Kristy Male Administrative Officer, Finance Anne O'Toole Administrative Officer, Canberra Anne Willsher Administrative Officer, Journals and Publications Cathy Fasciale Administrative Officer, Industrial Anna Amantangelo Administrative Officer, Professional Rebecca Shaw Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe Assistant Federal Secretary Gerardine (Ged) Kearney Federal President Federal Vice President Australian Capital Territory Secretary President New South Wales Secretary President Northern Territory Coral Levett Bernadette Roberts Colleen Duff Jill Parke Brett Holmes Coral Levett Secretary Denis Blackford (to 29 November 2005) President Queensland Secretary President South Australia Secretary President Tasmania Secretary President Victoria Secretary President Yvonne Falckh (from 30 November 2005) Neil Spencer Gay Hawksworth Sue Cadigan Lee Thomas Bernadette Roberts Neroli Ellis Anoni Morse Lisa Fitzpatrick Clare McGinness Western Australia Secretary Mark Olson President Patricia Fowler Federal Secretary Jill Iliffe Assistant Federal Secretary Gerardine (Ged) Kearney Federal President Coral Levett Federal Vice President Bernadette Roberts Australian Capital Territory Colleen Duff New South Wales Brett Holmes Northern Territory Denis Blackford to 29/11/05 Yvonne Falckh from 30/11/05 Queensland Gay Hawksworth South Australia Lee Thomas Tasmania Neroli Ellis Victoria Lisa Fitzpatrick Western Australia Mark Olson Federal Executive Meetings From 1 July 2005 to 30 June September by teleconference 4 November in writing 18 November December by teleconference 15 February March by teleconference 7 April in writing 10 May June by teleconference 6

11 our people From left to right Anna Amatangelo Fiona Armstrong Catherine Beadnell Denis Blackford Nick Blake Gerardine (Ged) Kearney Colleen Duff Neroli Ellis Yvonne Falckh Cathy Fasciale Lisa Fitzpatrick Victoria Gilmore Gay Hawksworth Brett Holmes Barbara Hughes Jill Iliffe Jackie Jones Yvonne Kelley Coral Levett Kristy Male Krista McClelland Marcelle Mogg Mark Olson Anne O Toole Elizabeth Reale Debbie Richards Bernadette Roberts Rebecca Shaw Lani Stanistreet Lee Thomas Anne Willsher Heather Witham 7

12 federal industrial report The ANF industrial programs continued to despite overwhelming opposition from community Furthermore, the awards include classification structures focus on the protection and advancement of the industrial groups, churches and unions. In broad terms the and career paths that reward nurses for the attainment rights of nurses. The objectives included: to provide effective industrial leadership and representation for nurses at the national level; to achieve planned and coordinated salary increased for all nurses in Australia; to maintain and enhance conditions of employment for nurses in Australia; to provide support to ANF Branches to enable them to meet their industrial objectives; to develop effective and constructive relationships with the Australian Council of Trade Unions and affiliated unions; and to develop effective and constructive relationships with the Federal Government other political parties and industrial bodies. Changes to federal and state industrial laws changes to industrial laws seek: to bring to an end the state industrial tribunals; to severely reduce the power of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission; to remove existing protections from unfair dismissal for all workers who employ less than 100 employees; to further reduce and rationalise safety net awards; to make it harder for employees to secure union collective agreements in favour of individual agreements (AWAs); to make many union activities illegal; and to establish the Australian Fair Pay Commission who will be empowered to set and review minimum wage rates. Of particular concern to the ANF and the nursing profession is the expected impact on federal and state nursing awards. Presently all awards provide pay and of increased skill and experience. Under WorkChoices all existing entitlements in federal awards will be subject to a process of simplification which could lead to the loss of employment conditions. Award wage rates, classification structures and casual loadings will be removed from awards. Many nurses could also lose conditions such as weekend, shift and public holiday rates, overtime redundancy pay, allowances and loadings. The number of awards that currently apply to nurses in the health and community services sectors will be reduced and there will be severe restrictions on the making of new awards. For most nurses covered by existing state awards, it appears that those awards are to be transferred to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and frozen. The removal of awards classification structures and career paths is disturbing and inimical to the best interests of nursing and the provision of nursing care. The WorkChoices industrial relations legislation was employment conditions that help protect nurses who Without an appropriate career path and adequate enacted in March The legislation was introduced are unable to reach agreements with employers. recognition of qualification, skills and extensive 8

13 federal industrial report education, nurses will leave the workforce and nursing employment conditions including implementation Australian Nursing Federation Rules and industrial will become less attractive to potential new entrants. of staffing mechanisms, qualification allowances coverage Many observers consider that the WorkChoices constitute the most significant transformation to industrial laws for the past 100 years. Nurses are already feeling the impact of this revolution with an increasing number of employers seeking to use the WorkChoices legislation to reduce their labour costs and to deny nurses access to the support of ANF officials. In response, the ANF Federal Office in consultation with the ANF Branches is pursuing a comprehensive industrial and professional strategy on the future direction and the priorities of the ANF to ensure that the union continues to provide a high level of industrial representation to members and to the nursing profession. Public sector agreement outcomes The table to the right details the percentage increases and include shift and rostering arrangements. The outcomes achieved in the public health sectors of the states and territories are important as they not only establish a benchmark for ANF negotiations in the private acute and aged care sectors, they also apply to the majority of the nursing workforce. STATE New South Wales Victoria Northern Territory Tasmania South Australia Queensland OUTCOME 14.0% over 3.5 years ( ) 12.0% over 3.5 years ( ) 11.0% over 3.0 years ( ) 21.0% over 3.3 years ( ) 16.5% over 3.0 years ( ) 19.0% over 3.0 years ( ) The Australian Nursing Federation has been granted industrial coverage of assistants in nursing employed in the private residential aged care sectors in South Australia. This outcome follows a similar decision reached in Victoria in As a consequence, the ANF now has the right to represent the vast majority of persons employed to assist in the provision of nursing care across all health and community services sectors; this means that the ANF can represent assistants in nursing at the same time as protecting the interests of our registered and enrolled nurses who may be employed in those facilities. A copy of the ANF Rules can be obtained at: Aged care The wages gap between nurses working in aged care and nurses working in the other sectors continues to and expiry dates of public sector enterprise agreements that will continue to apply over the 2005/2006 period. In Australian Capital Territory 12.15% to 23.2% over 2.5 years ( ) increase with the national average currently at 25 percent per week less. While there are a growing addition to the wage increases detailed, the agreements commonly included a range of improvements to Western Australia 14.0% over 3.0 years ( ) number of collective agreements negotiated in the aged care sector, the wages and conditions outcomes 9

14 federal industrial report are generally less favourable than public and private acute sector outcomes and fail to remove the disparity in wages and conditions. The federal government is still refusing to agree to any process that would achieve and maintain wage parity. The graph below demonstrates the wages gap. Wage disparity for aged care workers From: Nurses Paycheck, June-August 2006, Australian Nursing Federation, Melbourne. $1, $1, $1, $ $ $ $ $ NSW VIC NT ACT WA SA TAS QLD NAT Public Sector A ged Care Nick Blake Federal Industrial Officer 10

15 federal professional report The federal professional team has been The Decision Making Framework (DMF) priorities for further professional described as a landmark document involved in a broad range of activities project development. Participation will be which demonstrates the capacity of representing the professional interests of nurses and midwives throughout 2005/06. The federal professional team represents nurses and midwives on several national projects and in a number of advisory committees and policy making forums. These include: The Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for Nurses and Midwives project This project is undertaking a review of the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for nurses and developing a Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for midwives. The ANF is represented on the project management committee This project is developing a national decision making framework, based on models currently in place in four states. The project has developed two draft frameworks, (one for nurses, one for midwives. Midwifery Practice Review project The Midwifery Practice Review project, funded by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare aims to develop a process for verifying the qualifications, experience, and other relevant professional attributes of midwives to determine their competence, performance and professional suitability to provide safe, high quality health care. It is aimed at providing a supportive voluntary. The ANF is involved through representation on the project management committee comprising representatives of a range of key stakeholders. Governance Standards project: The ANF has played an important role in the development of governance standards for nursing and midwifery organisations through the chairing of a Working Group and project management of a project funded by the National Nursing and Nursing Education Taskforce (N3ET) and conducted by the National Nursing Organisations (NNOs). The ANF is a member of the NNO as well as providing the secretariat for these 52 associations. The project developed a set of sound governance standards to guide the nurses to display considerable leadership. A governance toolkit has now been developed between the NNO secretariat (ANF) and N3ET. The report and toolkit are now available on the NNO website In recognition of the success of this project and the importance of governance to nursing and midwifery groups, the Department of Health and Ageing (who provide funding to support the NNO secertariat) has agreed to provide additional funding to the NNO (via ANF, as NNO fund holder) to undertake further work in relation to governance of the National Nursing Organisations (NNO). Health reform The ANF has joined the executive of the and ANF branches have been involved environment for individual midwives practice of nursing and midwifery Australian Health Care Reform Alliance in consultation forums and focus groups across all areas of maternity care to specialist organisations. The report (AHCRA) as the representative of nursing in every state and territory. reflect on their practice and identify from the governance project has been and midwifery professions. The Alliance 11

16 federal professional report is pursuing a health reform agenda for (N3ET) proposed specialisation frame Statement on Ethical Conduct in Conferences improved access to a more integrated health care service sector with workforce planning mechanisms that ensure a sustainable health workforce and a reduction in the current duplication of services that occurs as a result of the Federal and State/Territory funding split. In 2005/06, AHCRA contributed submissions to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and the Productivity Commission, and appeared before the House of Representatives Standing Committee Inquiry into health funding. Submissions The ANF federal professional team prepared and coordinated a number of submissions from the federal office in response to inquiries. This includes: work for nursing and midwifery (June 2006). Two submissions to the ACCC in regard to an application by Medicines Australia to amend their Code of Conduct (February and May 2006). A submission to the National Nanotechnology Strategy Taskforce (May 2006). Making a decision about organ and tissue donation after death - public consultation feedback (April 2006). Organ and tissue donation after death: Ethical guidelines for health professionals - public consultation feedback (April 2006). Review of the professional code of ethics and conduct for midwives and nurses (April 2006). Research Involving Humans (March 2006). A submission to the Department of Education, Science and Training medical education study (March 2006). A response to a Treasury review of the coverage of the Medical Indemnity (Prudential Supervision and Product Standards) Act 2003 (February 2006). Submission in response to the Award Review Taskforce discussion papers on award rationalisation of award wage and classification structures (January 2006). A submission to the review of the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (November 2005). A submission to the Productivity The federal professional team presented at two conferences in 2006, including a paper on nurses, communication and policy engagement entitled: Advocating for ourselves at the Nursing Leadership Conference 2006, and two papers: The effects of nurse staffing on adverse events and a Report on the governance standards project at the Royal College of Nursing, Australia conference Rural health The National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) of which the ANF is a member, is currently developing policy and position statements on: food security; Aboriginal Health Workers; regional development; and maternity services, and revising the position statement on advanced nursing practice. NRHA is also involved in the A response to the National Nursing A submission to the NHMRC on their Commission inquiry on the health development of a National Evidence Based and Nursing Education Taskforce draft revision of the National workforce (September 2005). Guideline for Antenatal Care through 12

17 federal professional report consultation with member organisations. the Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Other partnerships/activities in which NRHA has made submissions to: the Council (APAC), which advises the the ANF is involved Council of Australian Government (COAG) on numbers of undergraduate health professional places in March; and to the federal treasurer's tax inquiry on remote zone tax rebates, also in March. Policy areas identified as priorities for the NRHA over the next twelve moths include: mental health; dental/oral health; palliative care; rural health workforce; research; culturally appropriate Indigenous health care; and the sustainability of rural communities. The professional team also attended and contributed to a policy forum on rural and remote health held by the Australian Rural and Remote Workforce Agencies Group (ARRWAG) in March Medicines policy Australian Government on a wide range of medicines policy issues. This forum consists of health professional organisations, consumers, industry and government. As a member of the National Prescribing Service (NPS), the ANF has the opportunity to contribute to, and influence medicines policy through the NPS. The NPS is an independent, non-profit organisation (funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing) which aims is to provide independent information about medicines for all Australians. One of its major programs is the Quality Use of medicines Program (QUM), intended to "provide accurate, balanced, evidence-based The professional team is involved in the federal government initiatives to develop Australia's responsiveness to pandemic influenza with representatives involved in the committees developing guidelines for infection control, primary care and clinical care; and is also a member of a community nursing Industry advisory committee conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs. ANF partnerships The federal professional team provides information and updates on important nursing initiatives to, and coordinates meetings of, the professional advisory committee with representatives from each of the state and territory branches. This committee contributes to policy development and works collaboratively Through the ANF federal professional information and services to health on important submissions and position Fiona Armstrong team, nurses in Australia are involved in professionals and the community". statements. Federal Professional Officer 13

18 australian journal of advanced nursing The AJAN provides nurses in Australia Coronary angioplasty: impact on risk an exploration of the beliefs and Culture of rural nursing practice: A and internationally with the opportunity factors and patients' understanding practices of paediatric nurses. critical theoretical analysis of deter to publish original research and scholarly articles on a diverse range of nursing issues, with that diversity being one of AJAN's strengths. The availability of AJAN to an international audience through its online presence on IngentaConnect has extended its reach and impact on evidence based practice. The journal has published manuscripts on a range of important nursing issues including: June hour care centre: changing the culture of care. The effect of pre-admission of education on domiciliary recovery following laproscopic cholecystectomy. Mapping recovery after total hip replacement surgery: health-related of the severity of their condition. Competency standards for critical care nurses: do they measure up? Documentation and the transfer of clinical information in two aged care settings. Physical restraint use on people with dementia: A review of the literature. September 2005 Medication knowledge and selfmanagement by people with type 2 diabetes. A comparison of an evidence based regime with the standard protocol for monitoring postoperative observation: a randomised controlled trial. What were the outcomes of home follow-up visits after postpartum hospital discharge? Understanding the nursing workforce: a longitudinal study of Australian nurses six years after graduate study concludes with a snapshot. Do the ends justify the means? nursing and the dilemma of whistleblowing. December 2005 Mothers' perceptions of overweight and obesity in their children. Nursing skill mix and nursing time: the roles of registered nurses and clinical nurse specialists. Nurse practitioners' experiences of working collaboratively with general practitioners and allied health professionals in New South Wales, Australia. Comparison between nurses' professional needs and their minants of power in nursing. A review of graduate nurse transition programs in Australia March 2006 Shrouds of silence: three women's stories of prenatal loss. Parents' preferred child health information sources: Implications for nursing practice. Warfarin use in the elderly: the nurses' perspective. Predicators of dietary and health supplement use in older Australians. Medication administration errors: understanding the issues. Mismanagement of delirium places patients at risk. Beyond the rhetoric: what do we quality of life after three years. Implementing family-centred care: perceptions of their job. mean by a 'model of care'? 14

19 australian journal of advanced nursing The AJAN Editorial Advisory Board Yu-Mei (Yu) Chao, RN, PhD University of Queensland, Ipswich, Lesley Wilkes, RN, CM RenalCert, BSc which advises on editorial and publishing issues, met by teleconference on two occasions and in person once to discuss issues relevant to the journal. Board members in included: Sanchia Aranda, RN, B.App Sci (Adv Nurs), MN, PhD Director of Cancer Nursing Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Head, School of Nursing, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia David Arthur, RN, PhD, FANZCMHN Professor, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Research Fellow, Center for Health Policy Research and Development, National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan Mary Courtney, RN, BAdmin, MHP, PhD, FRCNA, AFCHSE Professor of Nursing, Director of Research, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Karen Francis, RN, PhD, MHlth Sc, Nsg. MEd, Grad Cert Uni Teach/Learn, BHlth Sc, Nsg, Dip Hlth Sc, Nsg Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill, Victoria, Australia Queensland, Australia. Director, Research Centre, University of Queensland and Blue Care, Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Linda Kristjanson, RN, BN, MN, PhD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Postgraduate Medicine, Edith Cowan University, Churchlands, Western Australia, Australia Anne McMurray, RN, BA, Med, PhD, FRCNA Peel Health Campus, Chair in Nursing Professor of Nursing, Murdoch University, Mandurah, Western Australia, Australia Hons, GradDipEd(Nurs), MHPEd, PhD Professor of Nursing, Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Sydney West Area Health Service and the University of Western Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The publisher also wishes to thank Dr Jackie Jones, editor, the Editorial Advisory Board members and the reviewers who give their time to review the constant stream of manuscripts received by AJAN - their expertise is crucial to the success of the journal. Dr Joy Bickley Asher Desley Hegney, RN, CNNN, COHN, Colin Torrance, RN, B.Sc(Hon), PhD Professional Services Manager, DNE, BA (Hons), PhD, FRCNA, FIAM, Consulting Nurse, Nursing Consulting New Zealand Nurses Organisation, FCN(NSW) Services, Warrandyte, Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing, Australia 15

20 australian nursing journal The ANJ plays a vital role in keeping The journal provides a space for nurses States of America, France, India and health and aged care continue to have nurses informed on a variety of to express themselves and share their every state in Australia contacted them a high profile in the journal. Nurses in professional and industrial issues. The total readership of the ANJ is estimated to be in excess of 70,000, with nurses who receive the journal as part of their ANF membership and those with individual subscriptions making it available to colleagues and friends. The harsh and unfair WorkChoices industrial relations laws were introduced in March 2006 and the ANF is involved in the broad union and community campaign to defeat the legislation. The ANJ has a crucial role in keeping nurses informed of industrial relations developments and providing a forum achievements in clinical practice and research within a broader professional context. The clinical updates, largely contributed by nurses, for addressed a range of issues including: Equity of care for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (August 2005); Transfusing safely: A 2006 guide for nurses (Dec 05/Jan 06); and Implementing a wound assessment and management system (May 2006). The authors of the clinical update: Implementing a wound assessment and management system wrote to the ANJ following publication advising they had an 'overwhelming' response to the article seeking more information on the wound assessment model referred to in the article. The features section of the journal addressed a range of contemporary professional, social and ethical issues such as: Mental health: it's time for action (June 2006); Putting the care back into aged care (April 2006); and Nurse practitioners: Forging new paths in care. A feature titled Igniting change (Dec 05/Jan06) explored the role of ANF workplace representatives in maintaining and enhancing the professional standing of nursing and the quality and safety of patient care. Australia and internationally continue to make significant contributions to health research and development. The ANJ proudly promotes the research achievements of nurses in clinical practice and professional development. The Working Life section of the ANJ demonstrates time and time again the dedication and commitment of nurses to caring for their patients and the broader community. From caring for homeless people with mental illness, traveling to South Africa to nurse people living with AIDS, and providing palliative care to several patients in a single day; nurses have incredible stories to tell and the for highlighting the impact on individual with 60 requests for more information. Major health issues of concern to nurses ANJ is the vehicle through which they nurses and the profession as a whole. Nurses from the United Kingdom, United and the wider community such as mental choose to tell them. 16

21 australian nursing journal The focus themes for were: perioperative nursing child and youth nursing mental health renal and diabetes nursing community and primary health nursing aged care palliative care and oncology organ transplant nursing cardiac health burns and wound care 17

22 summary of results Statement of Financial Performance for Year Ended 30 June 2006 Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2006 Revenue from ordinary activities 2006 $ 2005 $ Current assets 2006 $ 2005 $ Capitation fees 1,996,476 1,800,156 Cash assets 542, ,618 Journal subscription fees Journal advertising and other income Interest IR campaign Other income Grant income Total revenue from ordinary activities Expenses from ordinary activities Affiliation fees Interest paid Employee benefits expense Journal expenses Other expenses Total expenses from ordinary activities Profit (loss) attributable to members of the organisation 1,054, ,162 30, , , ,240 4,722, ,221 11,952 1,512,600 1,157,490 1,785,469 4,717,732 5,095 1,060, ,440 35, , ,699 4,236, ,708 14,199 1,418,270 1,091,151 1,399,580 3,478, ,207 Receivables Other Total current assets Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment Total non-current assets Total assets Current liabilities Payables Interest-bearing liabilities Current tax liabilities Provisions Total current liabilities Non-current liabilities Interest-bearing liabilities Provisions 1,124, ,015 1,804, , ,254 2,265,313 1,243,325 30,975 3,386 86,103 1,363,789 96, , ,588 86,893 1,180, , ,116 2,051, ,477 30,975 28, ,420 1,179, ,019 73,638 Total non-current liabilities 227, ,657 Total liabilities 1,591,410 1,382,407 Net assets 673, ,808 The complete ANF Federal Office Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2006 Accumulated funds Retained profits 673, ,808 is available at TOTAL ACCUMULATED FUNDS 673, ,808 18

23 independent audit report INDEPENDENT AUDIT REPORT TO THE FEDERAL COUNCIL OF THE AUSTRALIAN NURSING FEDERATION - FEDERAL OFFICE We have audited the above Summary of Results of the Australian Nursing Federation - Federal Office for the year ended 30 June 2006 in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. In our opinion, the information reported in the Summary of Results is consistent with the annual statutory financial report from which it is derived and upon which we expressed an unqualified audit report to the Federal Council dated 26 October For a better understanding of the entity's financial position and the results of its operations and the scope of our audit for the period, the Summary of Results should be read in conjunction with the annual statutory financial report. Bell Duke and Company Chartered Accountants Robert Henry Wald Registered Company Auditor No Dated this 26th day of October 2006 Level 7, 468 St Kilda Road Melbourne, Victoria