Fed up Ramsay nurses and midwives from 14 hospitals across New South Wales took to the streets for another four-hour work stoppage on Thursday 26 September, insisting Ramsay Health Care put staff and patients before their profits.

Private sector NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members from a range of Sydney metropolitan Ramsay hospitals including St George Private, Westmead Private, Kareena Private, Castlecrag Private and Strathfield Private travelled to North Shore Private Hospital to attend a mass rally.

As part of the protected industrial action, the stop work resulted in most operating theatres being closed, and there were bans on working overtime.

After 18 months of negotiations, union members say they’ve had enough of the country’s largest private hospital operator not valuing its dedicated nurses and midwives, and are calling on Ramsay to deliver a decent pay and conditions offer that reflects cost of living increases, as well as commit to introducing nurse/midwife to patient ratios in all their NSW hospitals.

In addition, members from regional Ramsay hospitals in Wollongong, Southern Highlands, Nowra, Albury, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, will also walk off the job.