Westmead Hospital has become the latest NSW hospital to implement the Safe Staffing Levels initiative as the Minns Labor Government continues to deliver on its promise to deliver staffing reform.
Westmead Hospital recently completed a successful recruitment campaign of more than 23 FTE nurses in the Emergency Department (ED), to facilitate the Safe Staffing Level requirements.
Nearly 40 emergency departments have commenced implementation of Safe Staffing Levels across Sydney and regional NSW, with more than 10 EDs already completed recruitment.
The staffing boost will enable 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 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 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 NSW 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:
"Safe Staffing Levels is one of the most significant reforms in the way our hospitals have been staffed in decades.
"Completing the roll out of Safe Staffing Levels in the Emergency Department at Westmead Hospital is a significant accomplishment and reflects the Government's commitment to continuing to improve service delivery."
Quotes attributable to Member for Parramatta Donna Davis:
"This important reform aims to provide better support to our hardworking frontline health staff, and more timely, personalised care to the community here in Western Sydney.
"I'm proud to have stood with nurses and midwives as they campaigned for safe staffing levels and it is pleasing that this reform is now becoming a reality at the Westmead Hospital Emergency Department."
