WA Health has bolstered its commitment to safer, high-quality healthcare by implementing the next stage of nurse/midwife to patient ratios across metropolitan medical/surgical wards.
This significant change supports safe and sustainable workloads, strengthens clinical leadership, and enhances patient-centred care for all Western Australians.
From 21 July, ratios will begin to be implemented in medical/surgical wards at Perth Children's Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Fremantle Hospital, Rockingham General Hospital, Armadale Health Service, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Osborne Park Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital.
Under the new ratios, there will be one nurse for every four patients during the morning and afternoon (plus a hands-free shift coordinator) and one nurse for every seven patients at night. Allocation of nurses will be guided by clinical judgement and based on how unwell patients are.
Ratios will gradually replace the Nursing Hours per Patient Day (NHpPD) staffing model, with further expansion to additional services over the next 12 months.
The ratios have already been introduced successfully at Perth Children's Hospital emergency department and North Metropolitan Health Service medical/surgical wards at Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Hospitals.
Early evaluation has shown encouraging outcomes such as positive staff feedback and high compliance.
Since 2017, the WA Government has increased the nursing workforce by 41.5 per cent, adding 5,600 full-time nurses, which recognises the vital role nurses and midwives play in delivering safe, timely and high-quality care.
