Nurses out

By Melissa Meehan
KOOWEERUP nurses will find out if their jobs still exist just days before Christmas.
All positions have been made vacant and nurses given the opportunity to reapply for their jobs, according to an anonymous hospital source.
Kooweerup Regional Health Service CEO Terrona Ramsay has confirmed the hospital was restructuring and all positions had been declared vacant but could not confirm how many staff would be left without jobs.
Ms Ramsay said while the timing was unfortunate, the hospital had no choice but to restructure.
“The unfortunate thing is that we couldn’t control the timing. Because of strict rules and regulations we had to follow it fell at Christmas time which is not ideal.”
A disgruntled nurse contacted the Gazette last week and said morale at the hospital had been damaged by the restructure.
“It’s just hell at the moment,” the source, who remained anonymous to protect their employment, said.
“We find out next week if we still have jobs, so we’ll know just before Christmas.”
She said after months of whispers, nurses received letters inviting them to reapply for their jobs on 13 November.
She said interviews would continue today (Monday), but many of those interviewed were leaving in tears.
“It’s a very intimidating scenario,” she said.
“A three-person panel, everyone is so stressed at the moment, it’s horrible.”
The staff remained unclear about what was happening at the hospital, according to another unnamed source.
“From what we have been told they are going to change it into one unit – which will affect the community and in effect our jobs,” she said.
“But I am pretty sure the CEO didn’t have to reapply.”
Ms Ramsay said the situation remained uncertain.
“And I’m not too sure of the numbers – some staff have made it clear they don’t want to come back, some want less hours and a number of pregnant staff have taken maternity leave.”
She said the restructure was no surprise to staff, who were notified 18 months ago about the decision to combine two units into one.
Ms Ramsay also confirmed some jobs would be lost.
“It has been a very consultative process,” Ms Ramsey said.
“Both staff and the union have agreed to the process and in every outcome they have asked of us, we have done so.
“But we have also agreed on a very lucrative package for those who are made redundant,” she said.
Ms Ramsay said those who were unable to regain employment at Kooweerup, would be able to find other work easily.
“The way we have done it means that staff will not have to wait 12 months before applying for another job,” she said.
“They will be able to get work immediately, especially since there are heaps of jobs for nurses available at the moment.
“As long as they have good skills and up to date qualifications it should be easy for them.”
The Australian Nurses Federation did not respond to Gazette inquiries prior to publication.