The NSW government says Lismore Base Hospital has now begun rostering to Safe Staffing Levels in the emergency department (ED), delivering on its promise to deliver the historic staffing reform.
Lismore Base recently completed a successful recruitment campaign of 27 FTE nurses in the emergency department to fulfil the Safe Staffing Level requirements.
In total, 50 EDs have commenced implementation of Safe Staffing Levels across Sydney and regional NSW, with 17 EDs having already completed staff recruitment. Across the state, more than 600 FTE nurses have been recruited in emergency departments since the Safe Staffing Levels rollout started.
The staffing boost enables the rostering of a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied ED resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.
The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce was established to oversee the rollout of the government’s commitment of 2,480 FTE over four years. It includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts.
Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels commenced in the level five and six emergency departments, which treat some of the most critically ill patients, and is being implemented progressively across other key areas in a phased approach.
Major reform
NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park said, ‘We are continuing to make good on our commitment to nurses with the introduction of safe staffing ratios in our hospitals – one of the largest structural reforms to our health workforce in a generation.
‘More staff, more hospitals, more beds, lower wait times and better patient outcomes – it’s as simple as that.’
Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said, ‘Our dedicated nurses work hard every day, in the best possible way, to care for our communities when they need it the most. High quality healthcare depends on safe staffing, and the new ratios shows the government’s commitment to a safer workplace for nurses and patients alike.
‘I welcome these nurses to our region and wish them well in their careers.’
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