TAMWORTH and Werris Creek nurses descended on local MP Kevin Anderson’s office yesterday morning demanding he stand up and fight for increased nurse ratios in country hospitals.
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The state government has knocked back an award pushed for by the NSW Nurses’ and Midwives’ Association that would have seen the nurse-to-patient ratios in city hospitals extended to country hospitals, compulsory ratios in such units as emergency departments, intensive care units and paediatric units, mandated face-to-face time with patients in community nursing, higher ratios in mental health and a 2.5 per cent per year pay rise.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the association was demanding “a one size fits all industrial approach”.
“NSW Health uses specific patient needs to govern staffing and clinical service,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said an offer of a 2.5 per cent pay rise incorporating superannuation had been made, which was consistent with the government’s wage policy.
Mr Anderson was not in Tamworth yesterday, but the dozen nurses present said they wanted answers from him on what he would do about the situation.
Tamworth association branch president Matt Cartan said he could not understand why Mr Anderson and The Nationals claimed to represent country areas, but their actions suggested they did not think country people deserved the same level of care as those in the city.
He said the claim was all about better patient care.
Under the current award, patients in large city hospitals have six hours of nursing per day, major hospital patients have 5.5 nursing hours per day, and smaller district hospital patients receive five nursing hours per day.
Tamworth nurse and assistant secretary Jill Telfer said having these conditions continue was “very disappointing”.
“You’re less likely to have the nursing hours you need the further you are from the city,” Miss Telfer said.
Mr Cartan said under the government’s offer nurses would receive a 2.25 per cent rise, which was less than the rate of inflation, and superannuation would be paid from the remaining 0.25 per cent.
Mr Anderson said it was “ironic” nurses had changed their view, given these conditions were negotiated with the previous Labor government.
But he said he would continue talking with nurses about their concerns and do everything in his power to help them at a local level.
“Ultimately everyone wants the same thing: the very best patient care,” Mr Anderson said.
Mr Anderson said he was focused on improving the recruitment and retention of nurses in the area, a concern that was brought to him by the association.
