The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) has welcomed the announcement of nurse-to-patient ratios at two regional NSW hospitals, to help alleviate pressures on staffing in emergency departments (ED) but has expressed concern over the pace of the phased rollout.
Lismore Base Hospital will receive an additional 29 full-time equivalent (FTE) nurses and Port Macquarie Base Hospital will receive 13 FTE, to meet the ratio of one nurse to every three treatment spaces in the ED.
NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary, Michael Whaites, said it was pleasing to see recruitment would begin for additional nurses at Lismore and Port Macquarie Base Hospitals, and that regional hospitals were included early, but indicated members were frustrated by the slow implementation of safe staffing levels.
“We look forward to seeing these two regional hospitals receive a much-needed boost to their staffing numbers in the ED, which will improve the delivery of emergency patient care on the NSW mid and north coasts,” said Mr Whaites.
“However, only four out of more than 200 public hospitals have started receiving nurse-to-patient ratios since the Labor government was elected last year. We know many hospitals are struggling with staffing shortages and need shift by shift minimum and enforceable ratios urgently.
“We need the Ministry of Health and state government to speed up the safe staffing rollout, to ensure it is implemented smoothly and swiftly. We know hospitals like Coffs Harbour Health Campus, just up the road from Port Macquarie, are crying out for help, and desperately need more nurses to meet ever-increasing demand in their ED.
“Right across NSW, the public health system is struggling to recruit and retain the staff it needs to operate our hospitals due to poor pay and unbearable workloads. As a result, many skilled and experienced clinicians are leaving the profession. Tweed Valley Hospital, north of Lismore, is losing staff to Queensland for ratios and better pay. They need to know when things are going to get better for them.
“NSW nurses and midwives are now the lowest paid in the country. In order to rebuild the workforce and attract staff into the industry, nurses and midwives need a 15% one year pay increase to make their wages competitive with other states.
“The government needs to pay nurses and midwives a wage that values the vital work they do. The longer the government fails to act, the worse it’s going to get. Now is the time to intervene.
“As part of our claim, we are also seeking further funding for nurse-to-patient ratios so every unit and ward in every public hospital receives safe staffing.”
The NSWNMA is continuing to negotiate with the state government on its 2024 pay and conditions claim, after the current Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award expired on June 30.
