Over 200 nurses and midwives from Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown have rallied over the NSW government’s refusal to improve staffing levels.

NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members are calling for staffing to be overhauled across multiple wards and units at RPA, including mandated nurse-to-patient ratios of 1 to 3 in emergency, paediatrics and post-natal maternity wards.

NSWNMA General Secretary, Brett Holmes, said nurses and midwives felt ignored by the NSW government, after it refused to discuss their staffing concerns and the benefits of ratios currently operating in Queensland, Victoria and Canberra.

“On Monday, over 30 midwives and nurses specialising in emergency, critical care, mental health and rural health met with state politicians to highlight the unsafe staffing across our public hospitals – not one Liberal or National MP would talk to them,” said Mr Holmes.

“Our members are burning out and sick of feeling taken for granted by this government. Concerns for their professional registration and patient safety are very real.

“It is shameful how nurses and midwives are being treated across NSW. We desperately need ratios to ensure our hospitals are safe for everyone accessing care and for the staff trying to deliver care.

“Victoria and Queensland have had mandated nurse-to-patient ratios for more than five years. It’s time for NSW to catch up.”

Last week, around 500 nurses and midwives walked off the job across public health sites at Belmont, Blue Mountains, Bowral, John Hunter, Shoalhaven, Springwood and Waratah because of the conditions and pressures they are forced to work under. Five hospital beds were also closed at Yass on Monday.