HPAE Local 5621 News, July, 2021
HPAE Statewide Convention
Our HPAE State Convention is going to be October 6th & 7th. Normally we would be meeting in Atlantic City for the occasion, but this year it will be held virtually. The convention committee has been working hard to make this a great experience. The convention has always been a way for HPAE members across the state to get together and learn from each other. This past year has been a truly unprecedented time in healthcare. Now more than ever, it is so important to get connected and have your voices heard. There will be several workshops offered this year that will have a great impact on how we can improve as nurses. Some of the workshop topics are; violence in the workplace, moral injury and trauma and how it affects a person, and racial disparities in health care. Each of the workshops will be a platform to provide up to date education as well as an open forum to discuss each topic and its impact on you as a nurse and society as a whole.
You probably received a letter in the mail about nominating a member in good standing to be a delegate at the convention. Each HPAE locals gets a certain number of delegates that have the ability to vote on resolutions and filling vacancies in state officer positions and amendments to state or local bi-laws. Please nominate either yourself, a friend or both to represent our amazing local. Please reach out to any of your officers if you have any questions about being a delegate or the nomination process.
The convention is really is great opportunity to help members understand the role of a union in healthcare and how we can work together to facilitate change in the healthcare system. Register now @ hpae.org/convention2021. Do not let this chance to learn and be the voice of change pass you by. See you online!
Local Officer Elections
You should have received a notice of officer nominations and election in the mail. All five of our local’s executive officer positions are up for nomination. The positions are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Grievance Chair. The term of office is from September 1, 2021- August 31, 2023. If you are interested in nominating yourself or a co-worker, please complete the form and return by August 10th at 12 pm. If you have any questions regarding the process you can contact a member of the nomination/election committee; Sue Davis danandsuedavis@comcast.net, Ernestine Wing esw_08096@yahoo.com, or Sharon Heath sharonheath@comcast.net.
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA)
WABA coordinates the global World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) campaign that aims to inform, anchor, engage and galvanize action on breastfeeding and related issues. This is the first week of August annually.
Our lactation consultant Deb Frye is a wonderful asset to both patients and staff at Inspira Mullica Hill. She advocated for a breastfeeding lounge for staff who are pumping to keep their milk supply intact to feed their babies. This lounge is across from her office, at the entrance of Maternity to in the surgical services waiting area. It is requested that you log in and out of room for statistical purposes.
Optimal breastfeeding is vital to the lifelong good health and wellbeing of women and children.
WHO and UNICEF recommend:
- Early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life.
- Continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond, with introduction of nutritionally adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months.
For more info on WABA and WBW check out https://waba.org.my/
Half of Public Health Workers Experiencing Mental Health Strain
By Reid Wilson – 06/25/21
More than half of public health workers reported experiencing symptoms of mental health conditions, according to a new study, a toll that disproportionately falls on those who spent most of their time treating patients suffering from COVID-19.
The study, to be published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, found nearly a third of the 26,000 health care workers polled suffered from symptoms of depression in the last two weeks. Three in 10 reported suffering from anxiety, and more than a third say they have experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Eight percent, or about one in twelve, told researchers they experienced suicidal ideation. All of the mental health conditions were more prevalent among public health workers under the age of 29, among those who worked more than 60 hours per week and among those who reported they were unable to take time off work.
The symptoms were particularly pronounced among those who spent most of their time in COVID-19 wards. Among public health workers who spent three-quarters of their time responding to the pandemic, nearly half reported symptoms of PTSD within the last two weeks alone and more than a third reported signs of depression and anxiety.
The CDC researchers said stress-inducing events like the coronavirus pandemic can undermine the public health workforce at exactly the time when they are most essential.
“Increases in adverse mental health symptoms among workers have been linked to increased absenteeism, high turnover, lower productivity, and lower morale, which could influence the effectiveness of public health organizations during emergencies,” the researchers wrote.
Don’t wait…escalate! Please communicate concerns all the way up to administration if you have an issue that involves your safety, the safety of other staff or the safety of our patients. There is always an administer on-call, even on the weekends. Please reach out to them in real time for assistance.
