Home Care Newsletter

On 3 September 2007 Home Care "went live" with both CIS and WFM computer systems.

CIS is the Client Information System and WFM is the Workforce Management System. WFM manages care workers, rosters, time sheets and client services.

Since the computer systems have "gone live" Service Coordinators have raised various issues with both the Public Service Association of NSW and Home Care/Business Link regarding the impact of these new computer systems on an already stretched workload as well as the inappropriateness of the system for Home Care purposes.

The issues identified are:

• WFM response time is very slow;
• current computer monitors are too small causing eye strain;
• inability to complete roles and responsibilities without working long hours which in turn adversely affects members;
• mouse-oriented functions cause repetitive strain injuries;
• Service Coordinators believe that they are being deskilled as a direct result of the introduction of the computer systems; and
• general performance issues of the computer systems.

The Association has met with senior Home Care management and raised these concerns. Despite undertakings given by management and processes implemented members are still concerned that the identified issues remain largely unresolved.

Members report that they are still feeling anxious, frustrated, tired and overwhelmed. Members also report that this is caused by:

• "not enough hours in the day";
• "work building up";
• "spending at least six hours per day in front of the computer";
• "increasing time for data entry"; and
• "unable to visit clients because of a lack of time".

A teleconference was held on Wednesday 3 October 2007 with Association contacts and delegates from Home Care participating.

Following a discussion of the issues to date, it was resolved that the following actions be taken:

• From Monday 9 October 2007 members are advised that they should only work reasonable hours (usually seven).
• Members should not accrue any more flex hours than the 14 hour carryover.
• Members should not take work home nor access computers from their homes. No participation by members in any working parties, committees, trials etc (for example, OH&S Injury Management System Review, Care Worker Mentoring Project, Fee Monitoring and Debt Collection process, Service Breakdown Data Collection, Time Attendance Analysis Project).

Teleconference participants also agreed that the Association:

• request that a working party be established with the view to analysing the roles and responsibilities of Service Coordinators as well as reviewing staffing numbers of Home Care Branches; and
• be included on the Service Management on Efficiency Working Party.

Members are reminded of the importance of your occupational health and safety in the workplace. You should log Incident Reports where an injury or incident occurs and reasonable breaks (such as away from computer screens) should be taken regularly.

A further meeting with senior management from DADHC and representatives from Business Link has been scheduled for 12 October 2007 to follow-up outstanding issues.

Listed below are contact details for members of PSA staff:

PSA Head Office

Kerrie Butson
Tel: 9220 0953
Fax: 9262 1623
Email: kbutson@psa.asn.au

Ian Lambert
Tel: 92200996
Fax: 9262 1623
Email: ilambert@psa.asn.au

Regional Organisers

Bathurst
Michael Fogarty
T: 6332 1720 F: 6332 1535
105 Keppel Street, Bathurst 2795

Lismore
John Campbell
T: 6621 4450 F: 6621 4690
28 Conway Street, Lismore , (PO Box 818) Lismore 2480

Newcastle
Paul James
T: 4929 4788 F: 4929 4798
Suite 4, Level 1 Devonshire House, 406-408 King Street, Newcastle West 2302

Tamworth
Tania Faint
T: 6766 5488 F: 6766 3352
2/137 Marius Street (PO Box 682) Tamworth 2340

Wagga Wagga Peter Hood
T: 6921 6522 F: 6921 9663
125 Baylis Street Wagga Wagga 2650

Wollongong
Felix Bronneberg
T: 4226 4749 F: 4226 4667
Suite 3, 8/10 Victoria Street, (PO Box 1470) Wollongong 2500