Byron Bay Hospital is another Northern NSW health facility losing experienced nurses due to unsustainable workloads.

Senior Byron nurse Liz McCall, a member of the NSWNMA State Council, said the state government’s refusal to set minimum nurse- and midwife-to-patient ratios as they exist in Queensland and Victoria had left NSW more exposed to COVID pressures.

In media interviews, Liz said that while hospital services in Byron had long operated with skeleton staff, conditions had become increasingly worse.

The loss of experienced nurses meant new graduates and junior staff would not be adequately mentored.

“The loss to the profession and the loss to our communities is immeasurable, absolutely immeasurable,” she said.