Public Health
We won! No job cuts at Maclean District Hospital
Maclean is celebrating a decision from the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) to withdraw a reconfiguration of Maclean District Hospital that would have resulted in the loss of two staff.
In February, NNSWLHD announced a plan to merge two inpatient wards, effectively creating a ghost ward and cutting two positions.
Nurses at the hospital received no warning about the proposal and were asked to respond within two weeks. NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members stood up and voiced their concerns for patient safety immediately, taking swift action and organising a community forum, which was featured on the evening news.
In just a few short weeks, the plan to cut staff has been put on hold and a new Maclean Community Advisory Group will be established by the LHD to involve local residents in any reviews of health services going forward.
The NSWNMA and its members are monitoring the situation and a petition to table in parliament is still active.
Jennifer Smith says
I am super pleased about the LHD’s decision to put the reconfiguration on hold. I am however concerned that this article shared is not quite correct. Yes there was a proposal to combine level 1 and level 2 ward, which left 2 positions without a position, neither people in that situation were looking a loosing their jobs altogether. They still would have had a position (what that looked like no one knew). The other thing is that the LDH has postponed any decisions – so there is no win or no lose. They have decided to put forward EOI’s to the broader community for a local committee (sorry I am not familiar with the correct term).
Thank you
Jude Singh says
That’s how I saw it no win no loose it will be watch this space👀