Shellharbour Hospital branch member Debbi Simpson joined fellow nurses and midwives at a rally outside the hospital as part of their fight for fair pay and safe nurse-to-patient ratios.
“I’m really angry about the government’s pathetic pay offer and its refusal to talk about staffing ratios,” said Debbi, a registered nurse in the emergency department.
She said Shellharbour ED staffing levels were inadequate to cope with a big increase in presentations experienced over recent months.
As a Class C1 hospital, Shellharbour ED is not entitled to the 1:3 staffing ratio that applies to the ED at nearby Wollongong Hospital, which is Class A1.
“We have been seeing approximately half as many ED presentations as Wollongong lately. However, we don’t have any support services such as specialist care, and Wollongong ED is nearly three times bigger,” Debbi said.
“With fewer staff than Wollongong we haven’t always been able to give our patients the time and care they deserve.
“We’re getting slammed, and everyone is overworked.
“I worry that something drastic will happen because the pressure on staff is unsustainable.”
Debbi said Shellharbour Hospital wards only qualify for five nursing hours per patient per day, compared to six hours at Wollongong Hospital.
“That means if you are admitted to Shellharbour, you can expect less care because we are not staffed for it.
“Why should Shellharbour patients get less nursing care than people in Wollongong? Why should your postcode dictate the care someone receives?”
“Our wait times are getting longer. Nurses in triage are copping a backlash from some members of the public who are angry about having to wait so long.
“The situation won’t improve until we get mandated staffing ratios.
“I’m happy to support further union action because the situation is just not right.
“I think we as a union should be doing more to make the community aware that nurses and the public are getting a bad deal. We need to spread the message that staffing levels are no longer safe at their public hospital.
“We’re all saying, we don’t want to be called a ‘healthcare hero’ and not be given a fair pay increase.
“Other states have given their nurses reasonable pay rises during the pandemic. Why can’t NSW afford it?
“Public health is a basic human right and I don’t think the government values us or the community we serve.”