Locums, agency staff and volunteers are the face of public hospital health care in the NSW Northern Rivers region in 2023-2024

 

Clarence Valley independent, 13 December 2023:

Staff shortages amongst doctors, nurses, and specialists on the north coast has seen the Northern NSW Local Health District spend $148 million in the 2022-2023 financial year on agency staff.....

In July 2023, The Sydney Morning Herald revealed that NSW Health was spending about $1 billion annually on temporary health workers, with $148 million spent on locum doctors who are paid up to $4000 a day, while working in under resourced regional hospitals.

Northern NSW Local Health District NNSWLHD Chief Executive, Tracey Maisey said the past few years have been challenging, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, floods and bushfire emergencies.

“Despite these challenges our staff have succeeded in delivering high quality and positive outcomes of care,” she said.

“When vacancies exist, NNSWLHD engages agency medical and nursing staff to supplement the permanent workforce across the District.

“The 2022 floods had a significant impact on local communities and our local workforce, and agency staff played an important role in supporting our services throughout this period.

“In the 2022-23 financial year, the costs associated with our agency workforce totalled $148 million.”

The $148 million spent in the 2022-23 financial year on locum staff equates to about 13 per-cent of the Northern NSW Local Health District NNSWLHD annual budget, with more than $68 million paid in wages and $16 million spent on accommodation for these staff.....

Recruitment of staff is ongoing.

“An overseas nursing recruitment program conducted earlier in 2023 is bolstering local nurse numbers, with the first of 60 new nurses already settling into their roles at hospitals across the District,” Ms Maisey said.

“In partnership with our staff and expert external support we have developed a comprehensive recruitment campaign, and there are recruitment and retention incentives for critical roles.

“We are supporting the retention of existing staff by assisting eligible staff on temporary contracts to transition to permanent employment and are working with our facilities to support them to improve internal recruitment processes and timeframes.

“We have also increased our new graduate nursing numbers, as well as offering permanent positions rather than traditional fixed term contracts.”

The Northern NSW Local Health District board has also looked at the issue of creating a volunteer arm in its service provision and in November 2023 issued a media release which stated in part:

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is calling for community members to join the Healthcare Helpers volunteer program, with a range of roles available in health facilities for 2024.

Applications are now open for volunteer roles supporting patients, visitors and healthcare staff in facilities in Tweed, Nimbin, Ballina, Lismore, Maclean, Grafton, Bonalbo, Urbenville and Kyogle.

NNSWLHD Volunteering and Fundraising Manager, Claire Quince said the volunteers support health staff and improve the experiences of patients and visitors.

“After welcoming 30 new Healthcare Helpers to Lismore, Grafton and Maclean Hospitals in June this year, we are now expanding the program to the District’s other health facilities,” Ms Quince said.

“In addition to meet and greet roles in hospital public areas, we are introducing companion volunteers to provide social support to patients undergoing surgical procedures, cancer treatment and dialysis rehabilitation, as well as new mothers in the maternity ward.

“Our residential aged care facilities at our Multi-Purpose Services are also recruiting companion volunteers to provide social support and assist with outings for aged care residents.”

CLIMATE CRISIS: I don't know how many times and in how many ways governments & big business will have to be told the world had run out of time before they accept the science. A moot point because it is already too late

It is hard reading the United Nations Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (COP28) final document titled "Outcome of Global Stocktake" Revised Advance Version, 13 December 2023.

It announces itself pleased that the world is on track to limit global warming to "an increase in the range of 2.1–2.8 °C with the full implementation of the latest nationally determined contributions" by the 196 parties to the 2015 Paris Agreement (COP21).

The document posits that the world has until 2050 before it needs to have completed "transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems" by using, among other things, "renewables, nuclear, abatement and removal technologies such as carbon capture and utilization and storage, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, and low-carbon hydrogen production". This tool kit is expected to keep the global surface temperature of the Earth at an average1.5°C with no or limited overshoot.

The Closing Plenary Remarks of COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber were just as unrealistic:

"Excellencies, colleagues and friends. First let me say As-Salamu Alaykum … and thank you…We have travelled a long road together… in a short amount of time. Over the last two weeks, we have worked very hard to secure a better future for our people and our planet. We should be proud of our historic achievement. And the United Arab

Emirates…my country… is rightly proud of its role in helping you to move this forward.

Ladies and gentlemen, the world needed to find a new way. By following our North Star, we have found that path. We have delivered a comprehensive response to the Global Stocktake and all the other mandates. Together, we have confronted realities and we have set the world in the right direction. We have given it a robust action plan to keep 1.5 within reach. It is a plan that is led by the science. It is a balanced plan, that tackles emissions, bridges the gap on adaptation, reimagines global finance, and delivers on loss and damage. It is built on common ground. It is strengthened by inclusivity. And it is reinforced by collaboration.

It is an enhanced, balanced, but… make no mistake… historic package to accelerate climate action. It is…the UAE Consensus".....

The situation we find ourselves in is very different from the unrealistic imagining of government and industry representatives in Dubai UAE over the fourteen conference days between 30 November to 13 December 2023.

Fig. 1. Global temperature relative to 1880-1920 based on the GISS analysis.[1],[2] 

Global Warming Acceleration: El Nino Measuring Stick Looks Good

14 November 2023

James Hansen, Makiko Sato, Reto Ruedy

Abstract. Global warming is accelerating because the drive for warming, Earth’s energy imbalance, has doubled in the past decade. Measurement of the acceleration is hampered by unforced tropical (El Nino/La Nina) variability, but a good measuring stick is provided by warming between successive large El Ninos. Strengthening of the current (2023-24) El Nino has raised it to a level similar to the 1997-98 and 2015-16 El Ninos. The first six months of the current El Nino are 0.39°C warmer than the same six months of the 2015-16 El Nino, a global warming rate of 0.49°C/decade, consistent with expectation of a large acceleration of global warming. We expect the 12-month mean temperature by May 2024 to eliminate any doubt about global warming acceleration. Subsequent decline of the 12-month temperature below 1.5°C will likely be limited, confirming that the 1.5°C limit has already been passed.

Global temperature has increased 0.18°C/decade since 1970 (Fig. 1). Temperature prior to the current El Nino was ~1.2°C above the preindustrial level (taken to be the 1880-1920 average, the earliest period with reasonable global coverage of instrumental measurements). The goal of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change[3] and the Paris Agreement[4] is for the rate of warming to slow down so that global warming stabilizes at a level of 1.5°C or less. We find,[5] on the contrary, that global warming post-2010 must be in an accelerated warming phase, based on a large increase in Earth’s energy imbalance, which is the immediate drive for global temperature change. We project an acceleration of the post-2010 warming rate by 50-100 percent (yellow area in Fig. 1). Thus, global temperature is now accelerating past 1.5°C and it could reach 2°C in the 2030s, barring purposeful actions to reduce or reverse Earth’s energy imbalance.

Acceleration of global warming has been hidden so far by the large natural variability of global temperature, especially because of the unusual 3-year period of strong La Ninas that ended this year. If we wait long enough, say another decade, the changed trend will be obvious, but we need to understand the situation sooner. We will argue elsewhere[6] that actions to cool the planet should be taken within less than a decade if we are to have a good chance of avoiding polar climate change amplifications that would be difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.....

[my yellow highlighting]

Read the full paper at:

https://mailchi.mp/caa/global-warming-acceleration-el-nino-measuring-stick-looks-good?e=[UNIQID] 

Representatives of national governments and industry representatives have flown out of the United Arab Emirates safe in the knowledge that they can do as they please while Earth continues to overheat towards the point of global extinctions

 

Suggested reading.....

United Nations COP28, First... by clarencegirl

 

This document apparently caused a round of self-congratulatory clapping at the conclusion of COP28. 

As the following excerpts indicate government representatives and industry lobbyists has gone home having given themselves permission to do as they please.

18. Acknowledges that significant collective progress towards the Paris Agreement temperature goal has been made, from an expected global temperature increase of 4 °C according to some projections prior to the adoption of the Agreement to an increase in the range of 2.1–2.8 °C with the full implementation of the latest nationally determined contributions;....

28. Further recognizes the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with 1.5 °C pathways and calls on Parties to contribute to the following global efforts, in a nationally determined manner, taking into account the Paris Agreement and their different national circumstances, pathways and approaches:

(a) Tripling renewable energy capacity globally and doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030;

(b) Accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power;

(c) Accelerating efforts globally towards net zero emission energy systems, utilizing zero- and low-carbon fuels well before or by around mid-century;

(d) Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science;

(e) Accelerating zero- and low-emission technologies, including, inter alia, renewables, nuclear, abatement and removal technologies such as carbon capture and utilization and storage, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, and low-carbon hydrogen production;

(f) Accelerating and substantially reducing non-carbon-dioxide emissions globally, including in particular methane emissions by 2030;

(g) Accelerating the reduction of emissions from road transport on a range of pathways, including through development of infrastructure and rapid deployment of zero and low-emission vehicles;

(h) Phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that do not address energy poverty or just transitions, as soon as possible;

29. Recognizes that transitional fuels can play a role in facilitating the energy transition while ensuring energy security;..... 

[my yellow highlighting]

NSW Knitting Nannas staying the course in the face of burdensome state anti-protest laws

 

The Knitting Nannas are to be admired for their sheer tenacity & commitment to non-violent protest

Nannas at early demo at NAB AGM Martin Place with Move Beyond Coal, XR, & Tiwi Is visitors to tell NAB to Stop Funding Fossil Fuels. Loud singing & inflated dolphin waving.@NAB pic.twitter.com/EXVXuuvkpR

— Knitting Nannas and Friends - Sydney (@knitnannasSYD) December 15, 2023

 

Environmental Defenders Office, News, 13 December 2023:

Supreme Court rules parts of NSW anti-protest laws are unconstitutional

Parts of harsh anti-protest laws passed in NSW last year have been found to be unconstitutional after a legal challenge by two Knitting Nannas protesters who argued they impermissibly burdened the implied freedom of political communication. [1]

Two Knitting Nannas, Helen Kvelde and Dominique Jacobs, took legal action to defend the right to protest in October 2022, after the NSW Government passed new laws following a series of climate-related demonstrations.

On behalf of Helen and Dom, the Environmental Defenders Office launched a constitutional challenge to s 214A of the Crimes Act 1900 that criminalised certain conduct such as remaining “near” any part of a “major facility” (such as Martin Place Station) if that conduct “causes persons attempting to use the major facility to be redirected”, on the basis it impermissibly burdens the implied freedom of political communication.

The Nannas also asked the court to find the amendments to the Roads Regulation 2018 that altered the definition of “major bridge, tunnel or road” under s 144G of the Roads Act 1993 beyond regulation-making power and therefore invalid.

Today, the Supreme Court upheld parts of the constitutional challenge, declaring parts of s 214A of the Crimes Act are invalid because they infringe on the implied freedom of political communication. However, the court found the amendments to the Roads Regulation 2018 valid.

In delivering his reasons Justice Walton said: “Section 214A imposes an unjustified burden on the implied freedom to communicate on governmental and political matters, which is an indispensable incident of the constitutionally prescribed system of government … [this] conclusion concerns the provision of subs 214A (1) (c) (vis-a-vis the partial closure of major facilities) and subs 214A(1)(d) which thereby renders those subsections invalid.”

Helen Kvelde said: “We are happy the court has given some acknowledgement to the democratic right to protest.

“But these laws to me feel like a distraction. As if both Labor and the Liberal Party are trying to get the population angry with protesters instead of angry against politicians for failing to protect us from climate emergency.

“I’m not sure what we can do next, but it doesn’t feel right to just let this go. We need to fight for our democratic right to protest peacefully. I wish people would understand that ultimately these laws could affect anyone – anyone the government of the day does not like.”

REFERENCES

[1] Kvelde v State of New South Wales [2023] NSWSC 1560

Grata Fund supports people and communities to hold powerful government and corporate leaders to account and achieve systemic change through the courts. Grata has provided financial backing to remove the barriers of adverse costs to this important piece of public interest litigation.

Cartoon of the Week

John Shakespeare

Tweet of the Week *WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT*

 

Scores of Palestinian journalists have been documenting the horrors suffered in Gaza, and many of them have lost their lives doing so. Now @CNN’s @clarissaward, @scottycnn and @BrentSwailsCNN managed to enter without Israeli military escort. Watch their extraordinary report. pic.twitter.com/JLioOfXf12

— Christiane Amanpour (@amanpour) December 14, 2023

 

ACOSS and UNSW Sydney survey shows popular support for the Federal Government to intervene to directly tackle poverty and the wealth gap that is threatening Australia’s social and economic fabric

 

This snapshot makes an interesting read. However, participants' responses to questions asked may have elicited attitudes that do not extend beyond the period in which the actual survey was conducted.

"2,000 people from around Australia aged 18 years and above completed the 2023 survey.....

Participants were recruited via a market research panel coordinated by Qualtrics which operates a panel of potential participants who have signed up to be contacted for research participation opportunities."

[Australian Council of Social Service and UNSW Sydney (2023), Treloar C. et al, Community attitudes towards poverty and inequality, 2023: Snapshot report, p.12]

Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), media release,13 December 2023:

Most people support lifting incomes for those with the least

Three-quarters of people in Australia support an income boost for people with the least while less than a quarter think it’s possible to live on the current JobSeeker rate, new research by ACOSS and UNSW Sydney shows.

The latest report from the Poverty and Inequality partnership, Community attitudes towards poverty and inequality 2023: Snapshot report, also shows 74% think the gap between wealthy people and those living in poverty is too large and should be reduced.

The survey of 2,000 adults in Australia shows most people (62%) think government policies have contributed to poverty, while 75% think it can be solved with the right systems and policies.

• More than two-thirds (69%) think poverty is a big problem in Australia

• Just 23% agreed they could live on the current JobSeeker rate

• Another 58% said they would not be able to live on that amount, while 19% were unsure

• Three-quarters (76%) agree the incomes of people earning the least are too low and should be increased

• Most people think no one deserves to live in poverty, and that unemployment payments should be enough so people do not have to skip meals (86%) and can afford to see a doctor (84%)

ACOSS Acting CEO Edwina MacDonald said: “This survey shows popular support for the Federal Government to intervene to directly tackle poverty and the wealth gap that is threatening Australia’s social and economic fabric.

“Most people know it is simply not possible to live on the punishingly low rate of JobSeeker that traps people further in poverty. Instead, the majority of people think the government has a responsibility to look after those people struggling the most.

“We know from the pandemic that the key to solving poverty is lifting income support payments. The government has no excuse not to bring them up to at least the Age Pension rate of $78 a day in the face of such strong public support.”

Scientia Professor Carla Treloar of the Social Policy Research Centre at UNSW Sydney & lead author of the report said: “Community attitudes can wield significant influence on social policy.

“This research underscores the public’s awareness of policy impacts. The fact that the majority of people in Australia believe that government policies both contribute to and can solve poverty and inequality demands immediate policy reform. It’s time to address unjust policies failing those in need.”

UNSW Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said: “The Poverty and Inequality Partnership between ACOSS and UNSW exemplifies our University’s vision for societal impact and the power of research to influence positive change.

“The insights and robust evidence that the Poverty and Inequality Partnership provides are vitally important for understanding how we can do better for some of the most disadvantaged groups of people in our society.

“Millions of Australians live with poverty and inequality. Highlighting community attitudes can help inform shifts in social policies that lead to better outcomes for us all.”

Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said: “This report makes clear that Australians want poverty eliminated in Australia, and that most people believe current levels of income support aren’t enough to survive and make ends meet.

“For people who are receiving income support and access Mission Australia’s services, the current rate of JobSeeker is profoundly inadequate and simply does not help get people back into work. It often traps them and their families in survival mode and pushes them into rental stress and homelessness.

“We hope that the government will start to take community expectations seriously and implement real solutions like adequate income support to end poverty and poverty-induced homelessness in Australia.”

Read the report at: https://bit.ly/communityattitudes2023