Nurses fear medication changes
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A Tasmanian nursing union will meet Health Department officials today to raise concerns about a change in the state's poisons laws.
An amendment to the Poisons Act will enable any carer in an aged care home to administer medication.
The Australian Nursing Federation says unlicensed carers will be able to give medications, including narcotics, to high care residents, without supervision and with no independent regulation.
ANF state secretary Neroli Ellis says the union is concerned that interest groups have been given only 10 days to comment on the proposed change.
"It's being rushed through obviously through the government processes and the ramifications are of serious concern for us so we'll be looking forward to a meeting with the departmental representatives," Ms Ellis said.
She says it represents the biggest change in health care delivery in decades.
