The NSWNMA has begun proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court against the NSW government over 1,400 alleged breaches of the NHPPD provisions of the PHS Nurses and Midwives’ State Award.

These 1,400 alleged breaches are only a fraction of the total identified from data obtained from the Ministry of Health in February 2023.

A large part of the alleged contraventions are related to Central Coast Local Health District, by far the worst district in terms of non-compliance, according to the data.

The matter is listed for directions on 7 June.

Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce to drive implementation of ratios

The NSW Government has established a Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce as a “historic step” towards implementing nurse-to-patient ratios in NSW public hospitals.

The working group will see NSWNMA representatives working alongside NSW Health officials to plan the rollout of a shift-by-shift staffing model for nurses and midwives, starting with Emergency Departments.

NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Michael Whaites, said the Taskforce will pave the way for the significant reforms urgently needed to repair the broken staffing system.

“We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with the NSW Government to undertake this important reform,” Michael said.

“This Taskforce will lay the groundwork for the ratios we’ve campaigned for over many years. We’re eager to work through the staffing requirements and how this phased approach will be implemented.”

The Taskforce had its first meeting on 19 May.

The government has also set up a Surgical Care Taskforce to “improve the delivery of surgical services and reduce the state’s elective surgery waiting list”, according to NSW Health.

The NSWNMA will be represented in the Surgical Care Taskforce by councillor Kerry Rodgers.