Bankstown-Lidcombe, Hornsby, Lismore and Orange Hospitals have now begun rostering to Safe Staffing Levels in their emergency departments (ED), as the Minns Labor Government continues to deliver on its promise to deliver the historic staffing reform.
37 FTE nurses have been recruited at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, 27 at Lismore Base Hospital, 21 at Orange Hospital and 10 at Hornsby Hospital to fulfil the Safe Staffing Level requirements.
In total, 50 EDs have commenced implementation of Safe Staffing Levels across Sydney and regional NSW, with 17 EDs having already completed staff recruitment. Across the state, more than 600 FTE nurses have been recruited in emergency departments since the Safe Staffing Levels rollout started.
The staffing boost enables the rostering of a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied ED resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.
The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce was established to oversee the rollout of the Minns Labor Government's commitment of 2,480 FTE over four years. It includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts.
Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels commenced in the level five and six emergency departments, which treat some of the most critically ill patients, and is being implemented progressively across other key areas in a phased approach.
Implementing Safe Staffing Levels is just one of a range of measures that the Minns Labor Government is embracing to build a more supported health workforce, including:
- funding the equivalent of 1,112 FTE nurse and midwife positions on an ongoing basis
- abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers
- 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"We are continuing to make good on our commitment to nurses with the introduction of safe staffing ratios in our hospitals - one of the largest structural reforms to our health workforce in a generation.
"Completing the roll out of safe staffing ratios in four more hospital emergency departments is a significant accomplishment and reflects the Minns Labor Government's commitment to continuing to improve service delivery.
"More staff, more hospitals, more beds, lower wait times and better patient outcomes - it's as simple as that."
Quotes attributable to Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib:
"Every extra nurse on our emergency wards means safer care for families in our community. I'm proud our government is delivering nurses into Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital so patients can get the care they need.
"Before coming to government, we promised to roll out safe staffing and today's recruitment shows we're following through and delivering better outcomes and a stronger health system for everyone."
Quotes attributable to Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson:
"Achieving safe staffing levels in the Emergency Department at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital is a major win for our community.
"It means patients will receive safer, higher-quality care when they need it most.
"Our nurses and midwives do incredible work every day, and safe staffing gives them the support they need to continue providing the best possible care for patients and families."
