Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) will target railway station platforms early tomorrow (Thursday, 26 June), to discuss their campaign for improved nurse-to-patient ratios with local commuters.
The NSWNMA members are keen to raise awareness of their push to extend nurse-to-patient ratios into more public health facilities and specialty units, in particular – emergency departments, intensive care units, paediatrics, community health and more country hospitals.
Only selected wards in metropolitan hospitals throughout NSW currently have ratios of one nurse to four patients in place. International research indicates that increasing the amount of nursing care leads to better health outcomes for patients.
June 30 will spell another year without improved nurse-to-patient ratios, prompting nurses to call on the government to expand ratios into country hospitals.
Meg Pendrick, secretary of the NSWNMA Gosford Hospital Branch, said it was important the Central Coast community was aware of what local nurses and midwives were trying to achieve, on their behalf.
“From Lake Munmorah to Umina Beach and from Terrigal to Mangrove Mountain, we’re asking local residents to support our campaign and ensure the NSW government starts putting patient safety first by introducing mandated nurse-to-patients in all public hospitals,” Ms Pendrick said.
“Nurses and midwives are committed to safe patient care and a well resourced public health system. We will continue campaigning around these issues.
“Local nurses and midwives are rightly concerned about recent health funding cuts in the federal and state budgets and what that means for the likelihood of expanded ratios being rolled out.”
The NSWNMA members will be hitting train platforms simultaneously at Woy Woy, Gosford, Tuggerah and Wyong from 5:30am on Thursday, 26 June.
The members will hand out information about their Ratios: put patient safety first campaign and seek support from commuters, by visiting www.backyournurses.org or via social media at www.facebook.com/safepatientcare
Download this media release: Central Coast nurses hit railways for ratios support
