Historical information
Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members and staff as part of a campaign to secure minimum nurse staffing in the public healthcare sector. This badge was accompanied by a booklet 'Nursing the system back to health : Nurse patient ratios 2001', published in April 2002. The booklet describes some of the rationale for minimum staffing ratios and developments in 2000-2001 regarding campaigning for ratios, particular the landmark decision of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in 2000 that saw the ANF securing the world's first mandated minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. After decades of campaigning from the ANF/ANMF, ratios were legislated for the public sector in Victoria with the passing of the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient) Bill in 2015.
The web address on the badge was active from 1999 to 2004, and the shortcut 'anfvic.asn.au' was active from April 2001, suggesting this badge dates from 2001.
Physical description
Circular yellow, blue and white badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back.
Badge printed with a blue and white ANF [Australian Nursing Federation] logo, the text 'Nurses Nursing the system back to health' and the (then) website of the ANF (Victorian Branch), 'www.vicnet.net.au/~anfvb/'.
Subjects
References
- Catalogue record: Nursing the system back to health: Nurse patient ratios 2001 Link to catalogue entry of book that accompanies this badge. Copies held at the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Victorian Branch Library.
- Battle: The Road to Ratios Legislation (ANMF Vic Branch Documentary) 28-minute documentary produced by Blacksheep Films in collaboration with the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch). Includes interviews with current and former leadership and members, as well as academics and journalists, reflecting on the campaigning that led to the passing of the Victorian Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient Ratios) Act in 2015.
- Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation Victorian Branch: Our History Brief overview of the history of the Victorian nurses' union, including useful historic background for this badge.
