Nurses rally for more emergency staff outside Wyong Public Hospital
Local nurses and representatives from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) Wyong Hospital branch are calling for three extra nurses to be rostered on each shift.
Central Coast
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“We are nurses, we are strong. We seek safety all day long.”
This was the message being chanted outside Wyong Public Hospital this week as nurses held their second rally of 2019 calling for more staff.
Local nurses and representatives from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) Wyong Hospital branch are calling for three extra nurses to be rostered on each
morning and afternoon shift in the emergency department.
“We are concerned about the staffing levels in the emergency department,” NSWNMA Wyong Hospital Branch secretary Colin Kerle said.
“Here at the Wyong ED we have had a 17 per cent increase in presentations over the past 12 months. Staffing levels are inadequate. Nurses working in the ED are concerned it’s unsafe, particularly when they are really busy. We are asking for a 1:3 ratio in the ED.”
Katie and Michelle, who did not wish to give their surnames said there were unsafe staffing levels across the entire hospital.
“We are pushed to the limits, we are tired and we are fatigued,” Katie said.
“Nurses leaving the hospital after their shifts are dreading coming back to work for another gruelling 12 hours where they are pushed to their limits. After a shift, we know we should have done more but we just can’t.”
Michelle said nurses were “burnt out”.
“We are starting to think why we ever became nurses,” she said.
“Wyong is seeing higher numbers of presentations of patients and we don’t have the staff to keep up.”
NSWNMA General Secretary Brett Holmes said the situation inside the emergency department had become untenable and members were distressed by the lack of support from the Central Coast Local Health District.
“Our members know first-hand that staffing levels inside Wyong Hospital’s ED are inadequate to meet the local growth in population, which is putting patient safety constantly at risk,” he aid.
“Our members are reporting increased levels of overtime, sick leave not being replaced, senior nurses being unable to fully support their junior counterparts, as well as high levels of exhaustion and fatigue due to understaffing.
“The branch is asking for one extra nurse each shift in the emergency department’s resuscitation area, one extra nurse each shift for the acute area and one extra nurse each shift for primary care. This is not an unreasonable request, given the rising number of patient presentations, particularly in comparison to nearby Gosford Hospital.”
The rally was attended by Dobell federal Labor MP Emma McBride, Gosford state Labor MP Liesl Tesch, The Entrance state Labor MP David Mehan and Swansea state Labor MP Yasmin Catley.
“It’s really gutsy to protest outside the place you work,” Ms McBride said.
“Keep up the fight.”
CENTRAL COAST LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT RESPONDS
A Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) spokeswoman said CCLHD employed more than 2500 full time nursing staff across the district.
“We closely monitor staffing levels at our hospitals,” she said.
“Between June 2012 and June 2019, CCLHD increased its nursing and midwifery workforce by 21 per cent, an additional 453 more nurses and midwives.
“Wyong Hospital’s Emergency Department complies with the agreed staffing arrangements
outlined in the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award.”
She said the CCLHD was committed to working with the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association to address any concerns.
“Our priority is creating a safe environment for our patients and staff, and daily meetings are
held to ensure nursing levels are appropriate and meet patient demand,” she said.
“Nursing rosters are regularly reviewed to ensure adequate staffing, including during unexpected periods of increased demand and unplanned leave. Rostering also takes into account our nurses’ wellbeing, ensuring a reasonable workload.”
The 2019-20 budget for Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) is $873 million, an increase of $32 million on the previous financial year.
“The Central Coast will also benefit from the NSW Government’s $2.8 billion commitment to
recruit a record 8300 frontline health staff over the next term, including 5,000 additional
nurses and midwives.”