NSW nurses and midwives set to strike over staffing levels

Posted Mon Jul 22, 2013
ABC News.

A union says stalled negotiations with the New South Wales Government over nurse to patient ratios has led them to take strike action across the state on Wednesday.      

Nurses and midwives at more than 160 hospitals are involved in the strike which will result in the cancellation of some non-essential services.

The union's general secretary Brett Holmes says they have exhausted negotiations about ways to improve staffing levels.      

"This strike has become unfortunately inevitable as the O'Farrell Government has simply ignored our claims to improve nurse to patient ratios across our public hospital health system," he said.      

The union wants a ratio of one nurse for every four patients generally and one for every three patients in emergency departments or children's wards.

The opposition's health spokesman Andrew McDonald says it would significantly improve patient safety.      

"The current award introduced by the Labor Government introduced ratios to about half the wards in the state," he said.

"All the nurses are requesting is that ratio system be extended to areas that weren't covered."

The Treasurer and Industrial Relations Minister Mike Baird says he regrets the strike action.

Mr Baird says the government has been employing more nurses but cannot afford the extra resources that are being sought.

"We respect their right to take the strike - we wish that they didn't," he said.

"We don't want to see disruption to our hospitals, having said that what we are doing is ensuring that as we engage with the nurses that we are providing...a fair and affordable response to wages."

Mr Baird says more than 4,000 nursing positions have been created since the Coalition was elected.

what a shame these union dont take a look at DOCs.. I know where I think ratio should be looked at.