Recruitment for an additional 120 FTE nurses will soon be underway for hospitals across the Hunter, as part of the Minns Labor Government's historic Safe Staffing rollout.
After a successful first phase in emergency departments, Safe Staffing Levels will be implemented in general wards across the region, including:
- 38 FTE additional nurses for John Hunter Hospital
- 19 FTE additional nurses for Calvary Mater Hospital
- 17 FTE additional nurses for Maitland Hospital
- 10 FTE additional nurses for Tamworth Base Hospital.
The implementation is part of a statewide rollout, which will recruit more nurses across metropolitan and regional hospitals, reaching more than 360 wards at over 70 hospitals.
This rollout is in addition to the more than 6,700 nurses and midwives recruited over the last three years to rebuild our health system after a decade of neglect under the Liberals.
The additional nurses will help deliver a minimum ratio of one nurse to four patients for morning and afternoon shifts in general and speciality wards across NSW public hospitals.
Through the implementation of Safe Staffing Levels, the Minns Labor Government has already recruited more than 990 FTE nurses in 81 emergency departments across NSW.
Planning is also underway on the rollout of Safe Staffing Levels at seven dedicated postnatal wards across NSW, which is aimed at benefiting women and families by providing further improvements to public maternity care.
The Coalition refused to introduce nurse-to-patient ratios; planned to cut 1,112 nurses; and froze health workers' pay, causing severe health worker shortages in our hospitals.
The Minns Labor Government has made significant investments in our nursing workforce to ensure they are empowered to continue delivering exceptional care to patients and their families when they need it most. This includes:
- rolling out Safe Staffing Levels in identified key areas across NSW public hospitals, with a commitment of 2,480 full-time equivalent staff
- abolishing the wages cap
- delivering the largest pay increase for nurses in more than two decades and the largest pay rise ever for the lowest-paid nurses in NSW
- saving the 1,112 nurses the Liberals planned to sack
- recruitment of more health workers including over 6,700 nurses and midwives, 930 ambulance staff, 1,500 doctors and 1,800 allied health workers over the past three years
- supporting our future health workforce with study subsidies
- helping attract and retain the essential workers NSW needs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"Safe staffing ratios is one of the biggest staffing reforms in generations and reinforces our commitment to backing our health workforce across NSW.
"Guaranteeing the number of nurses on every shift is crucial to giving our nurses and midwives the support they need to provide world-class care to patients and relieve pressure on our hospitals.
"This work reflects the ongoing partnership with the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association to deliver the safe staffing ratios nurses and midwives have campaigned to achieve for over a decade.
"By backing our staff and ensuring they have the support they need, we're in turn building a stronger health system for everyone."
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:
"Nurses are the backbone of our health system and we're putting more full-time nurses on the floor to help deliver safe staffing levels.
"That means more nurses supporting nurses, more hands on deck for patient and more capacity to care for our growing community.
"We're not taking shortcuts when it comes to health. We're investing in the people our hospitals need today, while building a health system that is ready for the future."
Quotes attributable to Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington:
"Rolling out safe staffing ratios across the Hunter's major hospitals means the people of Port Stephens will access a stronger health system in their time of need."
Quotes attributable to Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison:
"This is great news for Maitland Hospital, with 17 additional full time equivalent nurses to be recruited to support our general wards.
"Our nurses do an incredible job caring for our community, and Safe Staffing Levels will mean more support on the floor and more time to deliver the care their patients need.
"This investment is crucial in helping us strengthen Maitland Hospital as our community grows, and backing the dedicated nurses who are there for local patients and their families when they need them most."
Quotes attributable to Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison:
"Our nurses do an incredible job looking after patients when they are most in need. These additional nurses will strengthen the high quality of patient care that medical staff in our public hospitals are known for.
"This is another important step in strengthening our local health system and builds on the Minns Labor Government's landmark investment in healthcare across our region."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery:
"The addition of 57 FTE additional nurses to the John Hunter and Calvary Mater Hospitals in the Wallsend electorate will be a welcome addition to their staffing levels.
"Thank you to the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association for their continued advocacy and support of Safe Staffing Levels."
Quotes attributable to Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr:
"This is a significant boost for our hospitals and our health workforce. More nurses means more support for patients, families and hardworking staff across the Hunter."
Quotes attributable to Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp:
"Safe Staffing Levels is a great, commonsense reform that has improved conditions in our emergency departments, and now in our general wards as well.
"With more nurses in our general wards, we will see better support for our hospital staff, shorter wait times, and better health outcomes for local families."
