Melbourne Nursing Agency News Congratulations To those members who have completed their Bachelor of Nursing studies and will be commencing Graduate Programs at various facilities across Melbourne in the New Year. We look forward to having you work with us in your new status as RNs Division 1. Our reputation Melbourne Nursing Agency's reputation has continued to flourish. This is due to our excellent nursing and allied membership Our ability to meet the hospitals demands has significantly increased as members continue to refer their colleagues to join. Our client base has also developed, as our name is increasingly known. The feedback we have about the quality of our members is just fantastic. So keep up the good work. Our policy is to reward our members who refer their colleagues to join the Agency. We choose to do this rather than spend our hard-earned money on advertising in press and other media. Leading up to the busiest time of year (the winter months) we will again be offering $200.00 bonuses to members referring nurses to us. Our Christmas Party It was great to see so many of the members of Melbourne Nursing Agency at the Christmas Party. It is one of the ways in which we can thank you for all your hard work during the year. We were fortunate to have some of our Irish colleague's join in the celebrations. Some of the Irish nurses left Melbourne immediately after Christmas and we wish them well in the future. This is also a good opportunity to wish all of our members a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year and we look forward to continuing to work with you in 2002. Some photos are currently being developed and will be in the office in mid-January. Potential for change in our Industry A newly established government body Health Purchasing Victoria (HPV) has been established with the purpose of purchasing goods and services for public sector hospitals in Victoria. One of the first services they wish to purchase is nursing services. HPV plan to call for tenders for the supply of nursing staff from Nursing Agencies. The conditions of the tender HPV demand that the tendering agent agree to fix the wages of nurses at no more than the Award/EBA rate, to undertake annual appraisals of nurse performance, and perform on-going medical checks. To do this HPV has sought exemptions from the Trade Practices Act. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is the body who will consider the applications made by HPV. HPV claim that there is a public benefit in fixing nurses wages. Melbourne Nursing Agency has provided a response to the ACCC opposing the applications on a number of grounds including the obvious lack of any public benefit. We will be seeking your assistance to continue to oppose these applications. For more information please call Heather 9348 2020. Nurses who work through agencies have not been asked for their views. If you are concerned make your views count by speaking with you local member of Parliament, contacting Mr Thwaites' office, the media, press and talkback radio, and the union. Education Melbourne Nursing Agency members will continue to have access to the Inservice Program offered at the Freemasons Hospital. The 2002 program will appear on the website in January, so keep a look out for this. Remember call us and we will book your place at each session. There is no charge for this to our members.   Melbourne Nursing Agency is big enough to serve but small enough to care. Add a Comment or Return to Home Page