Thousands of nurses and midwives have walked off the job today, demanding the NSW Premier resolve the staffing crisis in public hospitals.
Many will take part in one of 20 rallies across the state, including in Lismore, to highlight the government’s refusal to negotiate on safe staffing.
The General Secretary of the Nurses and Midwives Association, Brett Holmes, said members had reached the end of their goodwill and were desperate for the government to listen to their pleas for nurse-to-patient ratios.
‘Our members are calling for commitment from the Premier that there will be enough nurses and midwives on every shift,’ Mr Holmes said.
‘Nurses and midwives have signalled how fed up they are with the NSW government for ignoring the need for nurse-to-patient ratios, similar to those already working successfully in Queensland and Victoria.
‘The staffing crisis in health won’t simply go away on its own. COVID-19 has only exacerbated the failings of our health system. What we’re asking for is not unreasonable. Nurse-to-patient ratios do save lives and result in better patient outcomes.
Late yesterday afternoon, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission issued dispute orders and directions against the association, but public sector branches vowed to go ahead with their actions.
The strike will be staggered across the day, with some nurses and midwives walking off the job from 7am, for up to 24 hours. A full list of the statewide NSWNMA branch and facility strike actions is available here.
During the strike, life-preserving services will be maintained in all public hospitals and health services.
Strike rallies will occur throughout the day at Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Bega, Coffs Harbour, Cooma, Corowa, Cowra, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Griffith, Gunnedah, Kempsey, Lismore, Newcastle, Orange, Port Macquarie, Shoalhaven, Tamworth, Taree, Finley, Wagga Wagga, and Yass.
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