Planning has commenced to implement Safe Staffing Levels in the Emergency Department at Calvary Mater Newcastle as the Minns Labor Government continues to deliver on its promise to rollout a major staffing reform.
Calvary Mater Newcastle becomes the first Affiliated Health Organisation in NSW to begin the implementation of Safe Staffing Levels, joining more than 30 public hospital emergency departments across Sydney and regional NSW already in the process of rolling out the reforms.
The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right acoss the state.
The staffing boost of frontline healthcare workers will enable a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.
The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce, which includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts, continues to work through preparations to determine the FTE required to deliver Safe Staffing Levels at Calvary Mater Newcastle.
Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels commenced in Level 5 and Level 6 EDs, which treat the most critically ill patients. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce will continue to oversee the rollout of the government's commitment of 2480 FTE over four years (to June 2027) towards staffing levels.
The Minns Labor Government's introduction of Safe Staffing Levels forms one part of a comprehensive plan to build a better health system across NSW.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
"The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver Safe Staffing Levels, one of the most significant reforms in the way our hospitals have been staffed in decades.
"The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state.
"Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:
""This is a big win for our region. Calvary Mater Newcastle is not just a hospital; it's a vital part of the Hunter's health network and today's announcement means better care for every patient who walks through its doors.
"The Hunter community has fought hard for a fairer health system, and this is the result of that advocacy. Real reform that strengthens patient care and supports our incredible nurses.
"Safe Staffing Levels aren't just numbers on a roster, they're the difference between patients being seen sooner, being treated faster and having more time with the professionals who care for them."
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery:
"Safe Staffing Levels are essential reforms that the Minns Labor Government committed to roll out following staffing level neglect from the former Liberal Government. I'm very pleased to see this is now being expanded to the Calvary Mater Hospital.
"I want to thank the Nurses of the Mater Hospital, in particular Branch Secretary Camilla Smith, for their patience and strong advocacy in seeing this Safe Staffing Level expansion. I also want to thank Minister Park for his commitment to expanding these reforms to all hospitals in the Wallsend electorate."
