State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, will today move a Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament calling on the Health Minister to deliver the increased hospital front-line staff that were promised earlier this year.
Last year, Ms Hornery placed Questions on Notice following reports by the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) that patients have missed out on thousands of hours of nursing care due to understaffing at the John Hunter Hospital.
Understaffing remains an issue at the John Hunter Hospital and medical imaging staff at the Hospital will today hold a stop work meeting for two hours due to workload issues and understaffing.
Ms Hornery will today call on the Minister to deliver on his promise for the workers at the John Hunter Hospital.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“Staff at the John Hunter Hospital are facing a laundry list of issues, including the opening of unfunded and understaffed beds, forced excessive overtime, staff on sick leave not being replaced, missed meal breaks and unpaid overtime and fatigue.”
“In case it wasn’t already clear, staff at the John Hunter Hospital have reached the burn out point. According to senior staff, many are leaving because the work has become too stressful and they are not getting enough support.”
“Earlier this year, the Premier and Health Minister promised to boost hospital front-line staff with an extra 5000 nurses and midwives over the next four years.”
“This was to include at least 979 staff in the Hunter New England Local Health District: 613 nurses and midwives, 113 doctors, 105 allied health staff and 148 hospital support workers.”
“So far, not a single additional worker has been added to the rosters at the John Hunter Hospital.”
“Our hospital staff are doing the best they can, but enough is enough. The Health Minister needs to deliver the additional staff he promised.”