Nurses, midwives protest understaffing at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
Nurses and midwives at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital emergency department have held a protest demanding urgent action to fix staffing issues as patient numbers rise.
The Express
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Nurses at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital gathered today to protest against understaffing which they claim is putting both staff and patients at risk.
Around 30 staff representing their branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association protested during their lunch break on Thursday, outside the emergency department, requesting that many nurses vacancies be filled urgently. They were joined by Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour and some councillors.
The union said there were nine full-time vacancies for nurses.
Earlier this month, The Express reported waiting times at the emergency department had risen with the hospital saying it was due to the record number of patients.
Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital general manager Peter Rophail told The Express they were recruiting nurses, pointing out that, “the safety and care of our patients and staff is always our highest priority”.
NSWNMA general secretary Brett Holmes said the emergency department nurses have been understaffed and overworked for months and they have raised the issue with South Western Sydney Local Health District.
“It’s widely known there’s been a rise in the number of patients presenting to the emergency department at Bankstown Hospital, including an 11.5 per cent increase in the April-June quarter, yet the same staffing and resourcing issues remain,” he said.
“Our members have been highlighting their concerns through the appropriate reasonable workload channels with hospital management, yet they’re still confronted with these issues day in, day out.
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“They’re constantly working short staffed in the emergency department, poor skills mix is contributing to a high turnover of staff and unexpected leave is not being replaced.”
Mr Rophail said they were using their casual pool to fill any gaps from unplanned leave where necessary.
“We are currently recruiting to fill nursing vacancies, including specialised positions, to address the ongoing numbers of ED presentations requiring resuscitation, emergency and urgent care,” Mr Rophail said.
“We will continue to work with our nurses and midwives as we look for ways to improve our models of care.”
He said the hospital complies with, and often exceeds, the minimum staffing level needs of the Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award and “during periods of high demand, our ED is always staffed to ensure our patients’ clinical needs are met”.
Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital’s emergency department is undergoing a $25 million redevelopment with increased spaces in the short stay unit.
Mr Rophail said between mid-2012 and mid-2019 the South Western Sydney Local Health District increased its workforce by 2245 full-time equivalent staff or an increase of 25.9 per cent, including 367 more doctors, 1030 new nurses and midwives, and 241 new allied health staff.