Two of our most crucial core values – collectivism and courage – were on display as members made themselves heard – achieving significant wins in two major hospitals. 

One of the great joys of this position is watching passionate members demand change for the greater good. Collective action is an intrinsic part of our DNA and seeing branch members coming together to spotlight maintenance issues at Newcastle’s Calvary Mater Hospital is a great example. 

Calvary Mater in Newcastle is one of the state’s busiest cancer hospitals. Despite being a major public health hub for the region, nurses endured months of water leaks in wards, mould outbreaks in the ICU, and maggots falling from the ceiling. Deeply concerned not only by what was taking place but also by the refusal of management and the Novacare consortium responsible for maintenance and repairs to address the issues, the branch formally escalated concerns, citing risks to staff and immunocompromised patients. 

The branch passed resolutions demanding transparency, lodged a Section 81 safety process, and repeatedly pressed management and the Novacare consortium for answers. When maintenance delays persisted and accountability remained unclear, the branch organised a major rally in their own time that drew more than 100 staff. Spotlighting the issue gave our members a platform to connect directly with their local community, ensuring that patient and worker safety were at the forefront.

Following this, the government promised to engage an independent contractor – separate from the public-private partnership – to manage building works. This action generated widespread media coverage and prompted the Minister for Health to intervene, fast tracking cladding replacement. Their advocacy also helped drive a parliamentary inquiry into PPP management and hospital maintenance failures. 

This has been one of many recent examples where members have organised and used provisions of the Work Health & Safety Act to achieve change. Not for the first time, the courage of branch members established a safe channel for staff to speak up and pressured authorities to act. As a union, we will continue to campaign for system wide maintenance reforms across NSW hospitals. 

Another PPP bites the dust as NBH goes public

The saga of the Northern Beaches Hospital will finally come to an end with the transfer to public hands scheduled for 29 April 2026. While this is a welcome move, the failure of another PPP provides further proof that quality health care is compromised when profits are prioritised over patients. The Association campaigned strongly against the PPP when it was announced, and staff have shown incredible resilience and unity while navigating a turbulent time.   

On the plus side, nurses and midwives will be covered by a generally more favourable public health system award, but the consequences of Healthscope’s collapse are not over yet. The union maintains that this transition must not unfairly disadvantage nurses and midwives who have given many years of loyal service to the community, and who strongly support the provision of public health services.  

We continue to assist with issues relating to tax, a dispute over cashing out excessive leave, and a potential reduction in annual leave for part-time workers. 

NSWNMA offers visa help to overseas recruits

I am especially proud of how the NSWNMA has helped achieve a major win for overseas-recruited staff employed by Healthscope on short-term visas. The decision by the NSW Government to take over NBH immediately put at risk the visa status of approximately 80 internationally recruited nurses and midwives on Healthscope-sponsored “skills in demand” 482 visas.

The Association engaged with Health Minister Ryan Park to ensure visa sponsorship was transferred to NSW Health and Northern Sydney Local Health District and later advised all NBH visa holders that NSW Health would take over management of their 482 visas.  

Welcome new workplace reps

A big congratulations and welcome to our new branch officials and delegates following the conclusion of the Biennial General elections. These elections are essential to the democratic nature of our union and crucial in ensuring each workplace has a voice in the union’s direction. We can’t wait to see the incredible work you will do representing your branch over the next two years.