- Nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios now in all metropolitan general medical and surgical wards
- Roll-out supports more sustainable workloads and improved patient outcomes
- Early evaluation of pilot sites indicates reduced patient hospital stays and readmissions
The Cook Labor Government has bolstered its commitment to safer, high-quality healthcare by implementing the next stage of nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios across metropolitan hospitals.
This significant workforce initiative recognises the critical role of nurses and midwives in delivering safe, timely and person-centred care throughout Western Australia's public health system.
Ratios are now being implemented at Royal Perth Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Fremantle Hospital, Rockingham General Hospital, Armadale Health Service, and Royal Perth Hospital.
Under the new ratios, there will be one nurse for every four patients during the day and one nurse for every seven patients at night.
These will initially apply to general medical and surgical wards, with further expansion to be delivered in a staged approach.
Allocation of nurses will be guided by clinical judgement and based on how unwell patients are.
The roll-out is part of a broader State-wide plan to ensure safe and sustainable workloads for nursing and midwifery staff, improve patient outcomes and build a more resilient health system.
The ratios have already been introduced successfully at Perth Children's Hospital emergency department and North Metropolitan Health Service, including Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Hospitals.
Early evaluation has shown encouraging outcomes for staff and patients.
Funding has also been allocated through the 2025-26 State Budget for staffing ratios in specialty areas such as intensive care and high-dependency units to be rolled out over the next 12 months.
Implementation of the ratios has been phased to ensure that adequate staffing, training, and resources are available across all healthcare sites.
Comments attributed to Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"The Cook Labor Government continues to invest in nursing and midwifery education, recruitment, and retention strategies, ensuring our health services are equipped to meet future demand.
"Since 2017, there has been a 41.5 per cent increase in WA's healthcare workforce, with 5,600 additional full-time equivalent nurses now working across the system.
"We are proud to deliver the ratios that the Australian Nursing Federation (WA) has advocated for because every patient deserves safe, high-quality care, and every nurse and midwife deserves the support to provide it.
"This important step supports safer, more sustainable workloads, strengthens clinical leadership and enhances the quality of care for the Western Australian community."
