ANMF escalates dispute with Health Department over cancer clinical trials unit at Royal Hobart Hospital

The state’s nursing union has escalated industrial action over a proposal to make major changes to the cancer clinical trials unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd speaks to the media as nurses launch action over proposed cancer clinical trials unit staffing cuts. Picture: Elise Kaine

A “catastrophic” proposal to restructure the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Cancer Clinical Trials Unit would see staffing cut by 58 per cent and could force cancer patients to travel interstate or overseas in order to receive treatment, the head of the state’s nursing union has warned.

But the Health Department has stressed that no jobs would be lost under the changes and neither would any of the clinical trials be stopped.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has lodged a dispute with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission after attempts to negotiate “in good faith” with the department proved unsuccessful.

The proposed new model of operation for the clinical trials unit would match staffing levels to demand and be “guided” by the number of clinical trials under way at a given time.

But ANMF state secretary Emily Shepherd said the mooted changes would put every clinical trial at risk.

Royal Hobart Hospital. Picture: Linda Higginson

She said the proposed staffing cut would be “catastrophic to the clinical trials unit being able to conduct trials”.

“This would mean less trials, if any, and cancer patients who often participate in trials as an option of last resort to treat their cancer will miss out,” Ms Shepherd said.

“It will also mean that many Tasmanians would need to consider trials interstate and internationally and our members know that travelling with cancer for trial treatment is just not possible for many patients.”

Ms Shepherd said the ANMF was seeking a “circuit-breaker” to resolve the situation, which was why it had lodged a dispute with the industrial commission.

A Health Department spokesman said he could “guarantee” that no staff would lose their jobs under the new model and that no clinical trials would be scrapped.

“We remain committed to working constructively with our employees to address their concerns and ensure any workforce changes are managed responsibly, with patient care and staff wellbeing as priorities,” he said.