staffing levels nurses

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

A new report has shown an increase in the number of nurses considering leaving the profession, with “existing tensions” being exacerbated by COVID-19 being the key drivers for the statistic.

The Royal College of Nurses’ report revealed that 36% of nurses were considering leaving the profession – a marked rise from the 27% published in a similar report last year.

Of those who stated that they were considering the profession, almost two-thirds (61%) blamed stagnant pay as a factor for their response.

Other responses cited were the treatment of nursing staff through COVID-19 (44%) and low staffing levels (43%).

The College’s chief executive, Dame Donna Kinnair, noted that “existing tensions have been exacerbated by the pandemic”, leading to the .

“Earlier sticking plasters are no longer covering gaping holes. Investment in staffing and pay is about both patient safety and the health of our workers”, she noted.

The survey also asked nurses what would make them feel more valued and more likely to remain in the profession. 73% of respondents noted higher pay, and 50% cited staffing. Other common responses were workplace safety (45%) and adequate equipment and resourcing (43%).

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association is leading the charge for fair pay and safe staffing in NSW. To be part of the campaign, join the Association today.

NHPPD is manipulated

More nurses consider quitting the profession through COVID-19: report