‘Slap in the face’ for nurses

Jun 17, 2022

Finley nurses during the February strike on ratios. It was one of two held so far this year. Photo by John Thompson

Local nurses and midwives have been left wondering when the NSW Government will genuinely address the serious workloads and staffing crisis impacting the state’s health system.

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Off the back of two statewide strikes already this year, members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) called for urgent investment into the health workforce and an introduction of shift by shift ratios to deliver safe patient care.

A pre-budget workforce announcement last week has been described as a good start, but NSWNMA acting general secretary Shaye Candish said it lacked details on how many nurses and midwives would actually be recruited, when it would be rolled out, or where they would go once recruited.

Nurses have also been offered a one-off $3000 government payment, but the Association has since learned there may be some barrier to some nurses receiving it.

Coupled with staffing shortages, and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years, nurses says it’s not uncommon for some departments to be operating well over the desired ratios — at any hospital around the state.

NSW Nurses and Midwives Association Tocumwal branch secretary Marcia Howes previously told the Southern Riverina News that of all the states in Australia, NSW is the worst-paying with the poorest benefits.

‘‘Nurses are going to Victoria and Queensland, where they’ve got nurse to patient ratios, better pay, and better working conditions. ‘And why wouldn’t you?’“ she said.

‘‘All of the nurses at Tocumwal and Finley stay because they want to do the right thing for their hospital, and their patients,.

‘‘But the government is not doing the right thing for us. And that’s why nurses right across the state are leaving.’’

NSWNMA acting assistant general secretary Michael Whaites said confirmation the government’s “draconian wages policy” would rise from 2.5 to 3 per cent this year was a “slap in the face” for public sector workers.

“No one can argue that nurses and midwives are not deserving of fair and equitable remuneration for the working conditions they are continuing to persevere through,” said Mr Whaites.

“We sought a modest pay rise of 4.75 per cent, given the wage freeze our members suffered in 2020.

“They will be insulted by the three per cent offer, and hints of a further 0.5 per cent next year if they promise to work even harder.

“New South Wales needs a government willing to be transparent and accountable.”

In subsequent meetings last week, Mr Whaites said double counting of previous announcements was apparent in the NSW Government’s recent 10,148 full-time equivalent staffing enhancement announcement.

“We are seeking further clarification from the Health Minister and Ministry, but we have been told that figure does include the New South Wales Ambulance and palliative care announcements, as well as at least 1,600 nurses and midwives yet to be recruited from the 5,000 nurses and midwives promised back in 2019.”

Association members are expected to meet again later this month to determine the next course of action. It will be after the NSW Budget is released on June 21.