The Westmead Hospital Branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) who successfully staved off an attempt to reduce the staffing profile at the hospital’s Close Observation Unit (COU).

Management sought to reduce the unit from 12 beds to 8, without proper staff consultation.

The reduction of beds would have seen the unit lose out on the entitlement for an in-charge nurse for 8 hours under the new ratios rollout provisions.

Hospital management sought to the implement changes to the staffing profile without staff consultation, instead opting to notify them of the changes by posting a laminated notice for staff.

The decision taken by management was in breach of the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award which requires consultation before any decisions, and a minimum of three months’ notice of changes.

NSWNMA Westmead Hospital Branch members, with support from the NSWNMA, wrote to Westmead Hospital management and the LHD requesting the changes to be put on hold as adequate consultation had not been sought with staff over the proposed changes.

Westmead Branch received confirmation from hospital management that the bed changes would be put on hold.

If you currently have changes happening in your ward or unit, and are concerned about a lack of consultation, contact your Branch Officials and the NSWNMA. If you’re not already a member, there’s never a better time to join and be part of NSW’s largest union. Join today.