Essential health workers at four key NSW hospitals to have access to extended childcare

Health sector workers are expected to be given greater onsite access to childcare as part of a multimillion-dollar commitment in a move that has been labelled a game-changer.

Nurses, doctors and other health sector workers will soon be able to go to work with their children as the state government expands childcare centres across the hospital system.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal essential health workers at four key hospitals will have access to onsite, extended childcare as part of an $8 million commitment.

The commitment – the first move by the Government to improve access to childcare – will also include a review of its other existing and planned hospitals to plug gaps in the network.

The centres are part of a major childcare package Treasurer Matt Kean is putting together as part of his “family focused” Budget, which includes initiatives to help women enter, stay and re-enter the workforce.

Labor has speculated the package will include the construction of centres in areas of need, while also possibly including a subsidy or voucher.

Solmaz Jalali Chaychi, a midwife at Westmead Hospital in Sydney with sons Aiden (3) and Liam says access to extended hours childcare would be a game changer. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It can be revealed the new centres will be built at Westmead, Bankstown-Lidcombe, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven hospitals. The centres will supplement the existing childcare centres at several hospitals, which are a mix of privately run and health service-supported.

Mr Kean said flexible childcare was necessary in the health sector given they did not work a traditional nine to five day.

“This is all about looking after the little ones of those who look after our loved ones,” he said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the initiative would help workers balance raising a family with their vital work.

“This initiative is about ­helping secure a brighter future for our frontline workers and their families,” Mr Perrottet said.

Westmead Hospital will have a new childcare centre, which is to be revealed in this upcoming state budget.

“This will help strengthen our frontline services by building what matters to make daily life better.”

Westmead Hospital ­midwife Solmaz Jalali Chaychi said access to an extended hour child care centre would be a game-changer.

Ms Chaychi, who returned from maternity leave in mid-February to work part-time, said an onsite childcare centre would make it easier for women still breastfeeding.

The Penrith mother-of-two, whose children are aged three years and 14 months, said she and her husband took turns looking after the children while juggling work.

“We are struggling,” Ms Chaychi said.

“My husband works full-time as a civil engineer and I have just gone back to work three days a week.

“My older child is at ­daycare two days and I have just enrolled my younger one. To have a childcare centre at work would be fantastic, ­especially as I am still breastfeeding. It really would be a lifesaver.”

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Originally published as Essential health workers at four key NSW hospitals to have access to extended childcare