Nurses and midwives marked International Day of the Midwife with a lunchtime rally outside Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members  were joined by community leaders and supporters as they celebrated the midwifery profession and highlighted their ongoing calls for improved maternity and nurse staffing. Among them were Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper and Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery.

NSWNMA John Hunter and John Hunter Children’s Hospital Branch members have been actively campaigning for safe staffing across the facility, seeking nurse-to-patient ratios to be introduced on every shift and a modest pay rise to recognise the growing demands of their work.

Despite two statewide strike actions this year, NSWNMA members are yet to receive any formal pay or conditions offers from the NSW government.