Business planning framework

Position statement

1. Purpose

This position statement can be read in conjunction with the 6^th edition of the Business Planning Framework (2021.

2. Context

The QNMU supports consultation with nurses and midwives and other relevant key stakeholders in determining appropriate nursing and midwifery staff and skill mix levels to meet service requirements across Queensland’s hospital and health services. This workload management process is structured through the build of the service profile using the Business Planning Framework: a tool for nursing and midwifery workload management (BPF).

Under the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011, facilities must comply with workload provisions, including consultation with staff in order to ensure safe staffing levels.

Purpose of consultation
The BPF provides nurses and midwives with a process to assist in determining appropriate nursing and midwifery staff and skill mix levels to meet service requirements and evaluate the performance of the nursing and midwifery services (State of Queensland, 2016).

Genuine consultation underpins the relationship between employers and employees and is legally required under both the Award and the Industrial Relations Act 2016.

Section 143 of the Industrial Relations Act 2016 requires that all Modern Awards contain a provision requiring employers “to consult with employees before making a decision of particular significance to employees”, and that the process must “enable the employer to properly consider the views of employees before making or implementing a final decision.”

3. Principles

It is the position of the QNMU that:

• Professional judgement is a valid criterion for deeming a definitive staffing level of nurses and/or midwives as being safe.
• Education about the BPF is an integral component of the BPF process and must be provided to all nurses and midwives at all levels, especially those in leadership roles.
• Consultation with nurses and midwives at all levels, the QNMU and other relevant stakeholders is an important and essential part in developing the BPF.
• Consultation with nurses and midwives should occur at the workplace (ward/unit/service) level, and at the Nursing and Midwifery Consultative Forums and the BPF Steering Committee.
• To be effective and efficient, the BPF relies on a governance process that is based on accountability, collaboration, transparent decision-making and consultation. The principles of interest-based problem solving should be applied throughout the process.
• Nurses and midwives should be engaged in consultative discussions as they are best placed to identify the needs and demands of the work unit and are well informed of issues within the workplace/unit/service.
• Governance and negotiation processes are an essential part of the BPF and are strengthened by consultation with nurses and midwives at all levels.
• If agreement cannot be met, negotiations will be escalated through established pathways.
• Adjustments should be communicated to work units for consultation with staff to ensure the adjustments are safe and achievable.
• The development of the Service Profile is an important step in building the BPF. All levels of nursing and midwifery staff at the work/unit/service level must have access to the draft Service Profile and be given the opportunity to provide feedback.  This consultation is to ensure that the Service Profile accurately reflects the service provided.
• The completed BPF is to be made available for all nursing and midwifery staff to view.
• The BPF is an evolving document that is open to review/revision if the Service Profile and/or the nursing/midwifery resources change. These changes must be in consultation with staff and reflect the changing needs of the ward/unit/service.

4. Document management

5. References

Industrial Relations Act 2016

State of Queensland (Queensland Health). (2016).  Business Planning Framework:  a tool for nursing and midwifery workload management. 5th ed.  Retrieved from https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0035/666908/bpf.pdf