The current NHPPD system of staffing levels is not working. This system puts profit over people, it is manipulated, it does not provide appropriate staffing levels, it puts patients’ and nurses’ safety at risk, and it has not addressed major staffing issues in mental health units.

Mental health units are in crisis! Mental health consumers, especially when they are at their most vulnerable, deserve better!

There is inadequate resourcing of public hospital mental health wards. Workloads are unreasonable, and they are unsustainable under the current system. Wards are unsafe.

What will it take for mental health consumers and those who care for them to stop being neglected? What will it take for mental health care to be acknowledged and prioritised? What will it take for the state government to adequately resource public hospital mental health units?

We need mandated nurse-to-patient ratios on all wards across the state, to provide safe patient care.

Nurse-to-patient ratios will improve patient care. Ratios will help nurses working in an already high-demand and high-stress job. Ratios will ensure safe wards, safe workplaces, and reassure families that their loved ones are getting the best possible care.

Nurse-to-patient ratios save lives!

Skye Romer, EN