NSW Labor has committed to employing more nurses and legislating nurse-to-patient ratios for hospitals including Bega should it win this month’s state election.
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In a statement released on Tuesday, NSW Labor leader Luke Foley said his government would employ 840 additional nurses in NSW hospitals – comprising 735 new nurses in emergency departments and 105 new nurses in paediatric wards.
He said the new nurses will be recruited in the first term of government.
They will be part of the introduction of a nurse-to-patient ratio of one nurse for every three patients into emergency departments and paediatric wards in NSW.
“In addition, Labor will enshrine nurse-to-patient ratios in law – for the first time in NSW – so future governments and health officials will have to ensure nurse numbers are protected and not traded away,” Mr Foley said.
The additional nurses will cost an estimated $96million over the forward estimates.
“Nurses are the bedrock of our hospitals – providing continuous care, often as the first point of contact in the hospital system,” Mr Foley said.
“But if workloads are too high, nurses are unable to provide the care our patients deserve.
“Labor has a strong record of supporting nurses, and we understand that nurses are best placed to know what level of staffing is needed to provide safe and efficient care.
“Labor has listened – and in government, we will ensure there is one nurse for every three patients, and enshrine this ratio in law.
“More nurses means better care for patients, improved waiting times and more lives saved.
“These additional staff will take pressure off staff and patients in over-stretched emergency departments, and provide more care for children in our paediatric wards across NSW.”
Among the 75 hospitals listed as likely beneficiaries of Labor’s pledge is the Bega Hospital’s paediatrics department.
However, NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner slammed Labor for its “extraordinary backflip on nurse to patient ratios”
“This is a classic Labor stunt. One minute they reject nurse to patient ratios and the next minute they support it,” Ms Skinner said.
“Luke Foley and Labor have just shown NSW they have zero credibility when it comes to running the health system.
“Labor’s announcement today flies in the face of previous statements its conga line of Health Ministers made questioning the safety and efficacy of nurse to patient ratios.
“Labor’s commitment to an additional 840 nursing positions is not even a quarter of the Baird government’s nurse recruitment in our first term and its costing do not add up.”
Ms Skinner said the Baird government does not support nurse to patient ratios and is committed to the nursing hours per patient day (NHPPD) formula, which the former Labor Government signed up to.
“The ‘nursing hours per patient day’ formula provides more flexibility in staffing and therefore services are more closely aligned with patients’ needs,” Ms Skinner said.
“It allows nurse and hospital managers the flexibility to allocate nursing hours in a way that matches the busiest times and patient needs.”
