ED clinicians at Western Sydney’s largest tertiary referral hospital say they will no longer accept “relentless, unsafe working conditions” as the standard.

 At Westmead Hospital in Western Sydney, patients suffering heart attacks, strokes, and major trauma must often be treated in hallways and waiting rooms due to bed shortages and severe access block.

Westmead nurses have been calling for more resources and increased staffing for almost three years, with no result.

In November, Westmead’s emergency department nurses initiated an open letter to the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, and Health Minister, Brad Hazzard.

Signed by more than 200 nurses, registrars, senior medical officers, administration staff, orderlies and security guards, the letter called for a “significant and immediate” increase in funding.

The letter prompted Graeme Loy, Chief Executive of Western Sydney Local Health District, to meet with ED staff representatives, including NSWNMA members.

Loy referred concerns raised by staff to hospital-level working groups.

NSWNMA General Secretary, Brett Holmes, said it was unacceptable the ED of Western Sydney’s largest tertiary referral hospital was consistently one of the poorest performers.

“While our members will try to work with local management on this, they are concerned the working groups will not deliver the changes that are needed within a suitable time frame,” he said.

“The Health Minister needs to step in and provide assurances that the LHD will get the additional funding needed to match the growing demand being placed on this facility.”

Staff are physically and mentally exhausted

Brett said expert advice is also required to develop effective longer term strategies to fix access block and relieve constant congestion in the ED.

The staff open letter said conditions had steadily deteriorated, despite recommendations from a December 2019 Health Ministry review of the ED and numerous staff meetings with hospital management.

“Advertised registrar positions remain unfilled and staff deficiencies remain a chronic problem for all levels of medical and nursing staff,” the letter said.

“The recent surge in COVID presentations has added additional risk and safety concerns to an already overwhelmed department.

“It is common to have 30 to 50 admitted patients within the ED at the start of the day, for patients to leave while still unwell, and admitted patients sitting in the waiting room for 15 to 20 hours.

“ED staff feel strongly that patients are treated without dignity, when staff are forced to provide treatment in hallways and patients need to sleep on the floor.”

The letter said the consequences of management’s inaction included extended ED stays, poor patient outcomes, increased risk of violence and low staff morale.

“These relentless workplace conditions have taken a massive toll on staff wellbeing, mental health and morale, with an increase in sick leave, overtime and resignations.

“Staff are physically and mentally exhausted from having to endure these relentless unsafe working conditions and can no longer accept them as the standard.”