New South Wales (NSW) has expanded its safe staffing levels initiative in emergency departments to another 27 regional and rural hospitals.
This expands the rollout of the initiative at more than 40 hospitals statewide.
Over 570 full-time equivalent (FTE) nurses have already been hired to support this move, aiming to improve patient experience across NSW.
The safe staffing levels programme guarantees minimum staffing requirements for each shift, resulting in a rise in nurse employment throughout the state.
This increase in staffing enables a one-to-one nursing care ratio for typically occupied emergency department (ED) resuscitation beds at all times, as well as a one nurse to three patient ratio for generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds during every shift.
Hospitals implementing safe staffing levels include Port Macquarie, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, John Hunter, Wollongong, Tamworth, Gosford, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Tweed Valley, Shoalhaven, Macksville, Kempsey, and Shellharbour.
NWS health Minister Ryan Park said: “Safe staffing levels are about delivering safer, better care for patients, while making sure our nurses have the support they need on every shift.
“For too long, hospitals across regional and rural NSW have been left behind, but this reform is changing that – with hundreds of additional nurses already recruited and more on the way.
“This is about building a stronger health system for patients, families, and staff, no matter where you live.”
The safe staffing levels Taskforce is responsible for managing the implementation of the government's pledge to provide 2,480 full-time equivalent positions over a four-year period.
This taskforce comprises leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts.
The first phase of the Safe Staffing Levels initiative started in level five and six emergency departments, which handle the most critically ill patients, and is being gradually extended to other essential areas.
The government is also carrying out additional measures such as the ongoing funding of 1,112 full-time equivalent nurse and midwife positions, removal of the wage cap, implementation of pay rises for nurses and healthcare workers, and the recruitment of 500 paramedics in rural, regional, and remote communities.
