Thursday, April 9, 2009

Premier and Minister Lucas: Why does Queensland Health commit reprisal against Whistleblowers, but protects abusers of our elderly and disabled?

Premier and Minister Lucas,
Queensland Health unlawfully terminated the employment of this SING member for disclosing information regarding the sexual abuse of seven female residents of Bramble House, Eventide, to the media in March 2008.

BUT MANAGEMENT WHO MISMANAGED THIS CASE, STILL REMAIN EMPLOYED AT EVENTIDE. WHY IS THIS PREMIER?

This SING member below, has received no shifts from Eventide, Brighton Workforce since she reported sexual and physical assault at Ebbtide House, Eventide in September 2008.

BUT THIS ABUSIVE EMPLOYEE REMAINS EMPLOYED AT EVENTIDE, BRIGHTON. WHY IS THIS PREMIER?

THIS EMPLOYEE, IN THE ARTICLE ABOVE, ALSO REMAINS EMPLOYED AT EVENTIDE, BRIGHTON. WHY IS THIS THE CASE PREMIER?

ONE OF OUR SING (SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN)SUPPORT GROUP MEMBERS WAS RECENTLY ASKED BY A REPORTER: WHY ARE WHISTLEBLOWERS TREATED SO BADLY? THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE PREMIER - BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO "SHOOT THE MESSENGER" THAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REPORTING SYSTEM IS CORRUPT AND A FAILURE.
SING WILL PRODUCE FURTHER DOCUMENTS SHORTLY WHICH PROVES THIS STATEMENT.

14 comments:

  1. What hope is there in aged care when a CN is given a CNC position without the knowledge and the training or the advertising for the position.
    This CN is spends the majority of time in the smoke area recovering from her hangover, gossiping information to all staff in the area and has no respect for confidentiality.
    This CN withholds information from doctors regarding cause of death to prevent lawful enquiries into suspicious deaths.
    Does she sign her registration every renewal time that she is competent in her competencies to do her job ? Of course she does.
    Are the residents clinically cared for by this CN?
    No they are not and the staff reporting to her are at risk as are the residents.
    What can we do when she is a protected species? Not a thing.
    There is a major system breakdown when the incompetent are rewarded for cover ups, reportable misconduct and lack of duty of care to residents and staff.

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  2. In the real world of Aged Care the Director of Nursing is the fall guy.
    The reports above the DON/Manager make the decisions, the DON is the messenger.
    There always has to be the scapegoat to BLAME.
    Many church non for profit organisations have a NO BLAME policy.
    Unfortunately this does not apply to the DON.
    She/He take the fall for everything, including, Budget, accreditation, HR issues, complaints and any thing else that can be thrown their way.
    I am reading the book "Sick to Death" by Hedley Thomas about Bunderburg Hospital, Qld Health and Dr Death.
    I feel angry with the total disregard for the professional assessment by nurses of an at risk situation( peoples lives ).
    The sheer disrespect for nurses as professionals is so typical, especially when it comes to 'The dollar".
    No amount of money will be enough to restore the lives of the families affected by the malpractice of the Bunderburg Butcher.
    No amount of money can buy the trust of these nurses affected by the butchering they witnessed.
    Nurses enter the profession because they CARE.
    Caring is what they do so well.
    These nurses will take these visions with them for the rest of their lives.
    Who CARES about them?
    Families and dear friends but not Qld Health.
    I say look out Qld Health because the emphasis is on the dollar not care - you set the precedence and these nurses will follow that precedence - you are looking down the barrell of paying out much of the money the butcher made for you, to the nurses.
    I smell one big case coming up and the sooner the better - bring it on and if you think it will end there wait for the next wave of whistle blowers they already have you in their sights.
    Load the guns ladies and let all of us nurses who have been bullied, intimidated, humiliated and destroyed, support you into victory.

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  3. It may seem a strange principle to enunciate as the very first request in a hospital that it should do the sick no harm.
    Florence Nightingale (1859)

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  4. Courage is the discovery that you may not win and trying when you know you can lose.
    Tom Krause.

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  5. QLD health is a joke,the system is a joke.I reported a nurse for physically kicking,verbal and emotional abuse towards pts.... staff and students.I am now on a diminished performance discipline program, I have been reported for doing all sorts of awful things and now have to attend code of conduct, sexual harrassment and heaps of other lectures...don't bother trying to care...it emotionally destroys one

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  6. to the person who put the entry in dated April 9th 8-59 pm......I would rather shoot myself with the loaded gun....support gets you nowhere when fighting management

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  7. Qld Health is a joke etc response.
    Do you have evidence/witness?
    If so collect statements etc.
    If you have reported the abuse through the correct channels - take it to the police.
    Keep a diary and ensure you have a trusted support person in all meetings and have the meeting recorded.Ask for the notes from the meeting.
    Ask to be transferred to another area.
    Reprisal with accusation and lies is ususal.
    Evidence is the key.
    Following process and procedure by management is law and if there is a variance challenge it.
    If you are a union memember - ensure they have the facts and do what they are paid to do - support you.
    No deals with out your consent.

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  8. Loaded gun response :
    Do exactly that - load your gun with evidence and go down the legal road ( union members are entitled to legal advise and assisitance)
    If you have your evidence take on your managers if they have not followed process.
    Bullying and intimidation is a breech of WHS and against the law.
    Get your evidence and facts and meet them head on with a breech of practice.
    Obtain legal advice and support.
    Support is very subjective and can be interpreted in many ways - use the facts and not the emotion.
    Support os form those who know your issues, can be trusted and have the knowledge to help you.
    Most times this is not your best friends - they will run a mile.

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  9. The QNU are not exactly known for their instant nd ongoing support - especially if you are a more senior staff person.
    The AWU who beleive in a fair go for all, are very willing to go in and fight for you.
    Are your aware that the AWU support nurses with membership?
    Its about the same cost.
    The AWU seem to be more on the ball with the IR laws and legal issues.
    And they don't do deals with management.

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  10. The QH system is a joke and not much has improved since the Bundaberg Inquiry.
    Bring back MR Morris to sort out the aged care issues.
    Heads rolled after that enquiry.
    Bring out the knitting needles and give us the emotionally destroyed and financially ruined a front row seat to watch justice be done.

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  11. Keeping a diary and copies of your handover sheets is vital for evidence to support any claims or allegations.
    It is important that all staff do this to protect themselves and the residents.
    I am aware that writing up in the diary is time consuming but it is your evidence.
    Make notations on your handover sheets and file them and then have a new one when needed.
    This is what aged care has become.
    What for the knives in the back and the false allegations.
    It is no longer nursing or caring - it is self preservation while making a living to pay the bills and feed the family.

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  12. Because We Care- the National joint union campaign launched in Canberra last month .
    The campaign aims to address serious issues facing nurses and residents in aged care.
    1- the right balance of skills and nursing hours so that nursing and care staff can provide quality care for every resident.
    2 – fair pay for aged care nurses and care staff who are paid $300 per week less than nurses in other sectors.
    3- recognition of professional skills of AINs and care staff through a National licensing system
    4 – a guarantee that taxpayer funding is used for nursing and personal care for each resident.
    I totally agree with all of the above being issues that need to be addressed to encourage staff to want to work in aged care.
    The issues which are not being addressed are the hidden reasons staff do not remain in aged care.
    It is not all about money.
    It is about the integrity and leadership of the organisation .
    If the organisation does not act with integrity, none of the issues in the campaign will have an impact on decreasing aged care workforce.
    I would have hoped to see :
    • Support for whistleblowers and recognition of their rights.
    • Support for staff who have been bullied harassed and intimidated and forced out of the industry regardless of position held. This does NOT happen.
    • Higher presence of Union and Nursing Council representatives in the workplace educating staff on rights and process and responsibilities.
    • Strategies to take action on Corporate Managers who fail to address the issues of staff shortages, skill mixes , residents rights to adequate care as a result of ruthless behaviours.

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  13. Legal avenues nearly always fail and cost the whistleblower incredible amounts of their own personal money. The Departments have endless buckets of money to spend, and have all the time in the world. It is rare to find lawyers who understand the problems that whistleblowers experience. Even when legally vindicated, whistleblowers will not receive adequate redress or compensation because whistleblower legislation is inadequate and ineffective. I would strongly advise whistleblowers not to rely on legal avenues.

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  14. I am an AIN. I am employed at Eventide, Brighton. I have spoken out on many occasions. I was bullied, intimidated and victimized by management. Our frail and aged people need us to care for them. All management care about is the endless buckets of money at taxpayers expense.. Would it be to hard for workforce and management to meet with our frail aged? They are to be respected.. Shame on you all..

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