All beds open

PDH chief executive officer John O’Neill said the number of beds closed this time last week was 15, then two, now zero.

“That number was reduced over the week as emergency patients were admitted… and following the Fair Work decision all beds are open” he said.

Mr O’Neill said all nurses were acting in the best interest of patient care, but he could not confirm whether any modified industrial action would be taken by nursed this week.

The industrial action continues throughout the rest of Victoria after FWA order to suspend the action for 90 days, with Australia’s workplace ombudsman now seeking a Federal Court injunction against the Australian Nursing Federation.

Child protection workers

A temporary resolution has been made by the Government and child protection workers, following weekend-long discussions with FWA and the Community and Public Sector Union Victoria.

Workers, including those based in Portland and Hamilton have agreed not to cap the number of cases per worker for the next seven days while further negotiating with the Government on required workloads and pay rates.

STORY BY Huw Cushing, Portland Observer