NSW Nurses and Midwives Association Moruya Branch rallied today opposite the Moruya Hospital calling for equity in Nurse to patient ratios.
VIDEO: NSW Nurses and Midwives Association Moruya Branch rally; calling for equity in Nurse to patient ratios
Whilst the written response received yesterday from the Minister for Health was conveyed to the rally it was evident that the missing element of his response was to consider and deliver equity in Nurse to Patient ratios. "A transition plan is also being developed as part of the planning process for the new hospital. This will consider any interim infrastructure improvements that may be required." "I am advised that additional staffing levels are being reviewed and a planning process is under way to ensure resulting staffing levels are balanced." Brad Hazzard, Minister for Health" "Staffing of the Eurobodalla emergency department has been boosted recently with 1.5 Emergency Department specialists recently recruited. Recruitment is under way for an extra doctor. " wrote the Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard The rally was held to deliver a strong message to the Minister and to Southern NSW Local Health District. In a media release received late this afternoon the Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) said it values its nurses and midwives and acknowledges the vital and challenging work nurses and midwives do to support ourcommunity. The skill, professionalism and extraordinary effort shown to patients each and every day is recognised and appreciated. In their release a Southern NSW Local Health District spokesperson advises "SNSWLHD staffs its facilities to ensure patients are provided with safe and effective levels of care. Facilities are staffed according to NSW Public Health System Nurses& Midwives Award based on Nursing Hours per Patient Day (NHPPD). "The Award was agreed to by the NSW Nurses & Midwives Association. This approach allows greater flexibility with rostering across shifts and areas of the hospital during the week. The Southern NSW Local Health District spokesperson continues "The Award allows for the provision of higher staffing numbers for times of high demand or peak periods of activity.That means that when the emergency department (ED) is busier, more nurses are brought in.Extensive profile planning is also conducted by the Health District. Data is used to adjust staffing levels accordingly. There are also specific plans for expected peak times such as the winter season and summer holidays when the number of people presenting at Emergency is higher. This planning ensures appropriate staffing numbers in times of expected increased activity. "The Moruya Hospital emergency department has outperformed average waiting times for EDs across the state. According to the Bureau of Health Information 2018 Quarterly Report (July to September), 2,377 patients presented to the Moruya Hospital ED, a drop of 4% compared to the same period last year. "The median time patients spent in the ED was two hours and 24 minutes, compared to the NSW average of two hours and 52 minutes.The NSW Government has invested heavily in the workforce across the District, with the 2018-19 budget for SNSWLHD sitting at more than $419 million, an increase of over $16 million on the 2017-18 annualised budget. Meanwhile between mid-2012 and mid-2018, SNSWLHD has increased its workforce by an additional 440 full time equivalent staff – an increase of 24.9 per cent, including 28 more doctors and 142 more nurses.
