The NSW nurses association (NSWNA) is currently escalating its industrial actions in an attempt to secure safer nurse staffing ratios and to bring it into alignment with similar existing ratios in place in Victorian hospitals.

At this time the industrial actions have resulted in over 300 beds being closed across Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred and Westmead Hospitals, St George Hospital and hospitals in Wollongong, Manly, Long Jetty, Taree. These numbers are expected to quickly escalate over the next few days.

The NSW health minister Carmel Tebbutt is refusing any negotiations with the union whilst industrial action is occurring, stating that the ratio of one nurse to four patients is not appropriate (ABC radio).

Currently, a General Workload Calculation Tool, that was developed in 2004, is used by NSW hospitals to calculate the nursing hours per patient day required on any particular ward or unit.

However, this tool has failed to meet the combination of escalating workloads and skill mix1 challenges that NSW hospitals currently face.

After examining the Victorian model and engaging nurse workforce and industrial relation academics, the NSWNA has found empiric evidence for the introduction of nurse to patient ratios...

To read more, visit impactednurse.com