Hospital cancels chemo treatment due to leaks SafeWork inspection failed to flag
The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins.
During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety.
One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off.
Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets.
But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system.
The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work.
"SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said.
Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday.
NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle".
"This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said.
"You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day."
Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change".
"I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said.
It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation.
"The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated.
In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents.
Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department.
The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest.
Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance.
"We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed.
The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins.
During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety.
One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off.
Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets.
But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system.
The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work.
"SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said.
Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday.
NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle".
"This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said.
"You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day."
Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change".
"I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said.
It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation.
"The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated.
In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents.
Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department.
The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest.
Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance.
"We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed.
The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins.
During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety.
One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off.
Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets.
But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system.
The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work.
"SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said.
Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday.
NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle".
"This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said.
"You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day."
Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change".
"I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said.
It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation.
"The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated.
In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents.
Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department.
The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest.
Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance.
"We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
The Calvary Mater was forced to cancel chemotherapy treatments this week due to internal flooding caused by severe leaks, which a SafeWork NSW inspection last month seemingly missed.
The leaks have been a persistent problem for years and in the past four months have become so bad that leaking windows are being patched up with plastic garbage bags and drained into bins.
During the heavy rain on Monday, the hospital had to cancel day treatments, including chemotherapy and other infusions, due to patient safety.
One of the recovery ward bays is permanently closed due to the leaks, while the electrical panels near another must be regularly turned off.
Staff have labelled the tearoom "the Mater waterfall", due to the four plastic bags hanging from walls to funnel water into buckets.
But when SafeWork inspected the site on April 11, no concerns were raised regarding the leaks, the garbage bag patching or the dangerous aspergillus mould outbreak in the hospital's air-conditioning system.
The watchdog was called to inspect the hospital regarding potential electrical issues. SafeWork says no concerns were raised during the inspection regarding mould and refused to answer any questions regarding other issues, including the leaks and electrical work.
"SafeWork NSW enquiries are ongoing. No further comment can be made at this time," a spokesperson said.
Following the Newcastle Herald's inquiries last week, SafeWork inspected the hospital's leaks on Monday.
NSW Nurses and Midwives (NSWNMA) Calvary Mater branch secretary Camilla Smith said the situation was "appalling" and "a constant battle".
"This is getting worse and worse, yet they continue to make us work in this dangerous environment," Ms Smith said.
"You walk in thinking what's today going to look like, if it's safe to come to work and if your patients. That's the stuff on your mind every day."
Despite the recent inspection, Ms Smith "didn't leave the meeting [with SafeWork] thinking things were going to change".
"I'm sick of hearing there's no budget to fix this. That's not a reasonable answer," she said.
It's not the first time the NSWNMA has raised concerns about SafeWork. Last year, the union slammed the effectiveness of the inspections in Auditor-General's review of the organisation.
"The Association is observing inspectors attend health premises where there are clear breaches of the WHS legislation without issuing an Improvement or Prohibition Notice," the submission stated.
In the past 12 months, SafeWork has received four complaints about the Mater, along with notification of two incidents.
Inspectors have also previously visited the site in relation to a complaint about overcrowding in the emergency department.
The Mater is managed under a public-private partnership by a consortium called Novacare, which is composed of four companies: Westpac Banking, Abigroup, Honeywell and Medirest.
Novacare subcontracted its hard facilities management to Honeywell, who ignored the Herald's questions and has previously directed them to the state government.
Hunter New England Health (HNEH), who provides in-patient and clinical services at the Mater, reiterated Novcare was responsible for the hospital's maintenance.
"We remain focused on protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and visitors, and are working closely with both Novacare and Calvary Mater Newcastle to address the current facility management issues and ensure all required standards are met," a HNEH spokesperson said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mercury
2 days ago
- Mercury
Rise of emotional architecture and wellness in homes
Features once reserved for luxury wellness retreats are becoming more common in Australian homes, with 'emotional architecture' combined with smart technology driving a revolution in design. With a rise of designers embedding wellness into interiors – including sensory lighting, soundscaping, aroma systems and meditation nooks – wellbeing inclusions are becoming more accessible for homeowners. MORE: Australia's most bizarre home renovations revealed According to Klemich Real Estate managing director Matt Smith, wellness features which were once an expensive optional extra are becoming a part of core building design as people seek to live in spaces that are calm, peaceful and relaxing. Mr Smith said they are seeing technology developing quickly to support better wellness designed apartments such as ambient lighting shifts, music and even scent diffusion. Some key trends being integrated in Australia include nature first design, such as living walls, planters, view corridors, natural materials such as wood, stone, tactile textiles and rooftop or garden access specified to reduce stress and improve cognitive function. Circadian (human-centric) lighting was another feature, mimicking daylight cycles such as blue-enriched daytime or warmer for the evenings to support sleep and mood, moving from high-end to mainstream apartment specs. New technology is also assisting in this rise, such as air and water health integrated as basic infrastructure. This integration has been made possible by integrated heating and more efficient filters that capture at least 99.9 per cent of airborne particles like pollen, smoke and bacteria. Energy recovery ventilation systems also bring in fresh outdoor air while transferring heat and moisture between incoming and outgoing airstreams. This keeps indoor temperature and humidity more stable while improving indoor air quality. Active reduction systems reduce 'volatile organic compounds', such as paints and cleaning agents, minimising headaches, respiratory irritation or long-term health effects. MORE: 'Free rent' deals on the rise as Sydney market shifts Emotional or experiential architecture also includes the deliberate use of colour, texture, scale and choreography of spaces to evoke safety, delight or calm, such as framed views and quiet contemplative nooks. Neuroaesthetics and 'experiential' design inform layout decisions, evident in flexible and wellness-enabled floorplans, such as apartments designed with dedicated 'wellness corners' with meditation or yoga alcoves, movable partitions for privacy and tech-ready fitness or recovery micro-spaces. These inclusions can also be integrated in shared-spaces and amenities in apartments such as onsite mental and physical wellness including yoga or meditation rooms, infra-red saunas, recovery lounges, small fitness studios, rooftop gardens and edible landscaping. 'Third spaces' such as semi-public co-working and social spaces are additionally designed for connection, which reduce social isolation. Mr Smith said emotional architecture combined with smart tech is making a very positive difference to the way we live. 'Not long ago this was the domain of very high end luxury living, but now it is becoming both accessible and affordable,' he said. Mr Smith said they expect to see colour palettes change too, where once minimalist and muted tones dominated, it is now predicted different hues such as greens and soft blues will be coming through to help bring the outside in. MORE: Wellness-inspired luxe apartments launched from $1.35m
9 News
08-08-2025
- 9 News
Running bare: Canberra mum to share powerful City2Surf message
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Amid the throng of 90,000 runners tackling the Voltaren City2Surf this weekend, Robyn Smith will be carrying a deeply personal message. The Canberra mother-of-three will run the 14-kilometre course from Sydney's CBD to Bondi Beach topless. Painted over her mastectomy scars will be the words, "Flat out for funding". Robyn Smith will run this weekend's Voltaren City2Surf with a message painted over mastectomy scars. (Supplied: Robyn Smith) Smith said the statement was not just about her own journey with inherited cancer; it was also aimed at raising awareness for the often-unexplored choice of "going flat" after a mastectomy. The 46-year-old is collecting much-needed donations for the patient advocacy organisation where she works, Inherited Cancers Australia. While she was feeling nervous about the run, Smith said she was inspired by UK flat advocate Louise Butcher, who has twice completed the London Marathon bare-chested to represent the thousands of women "living flat" without breasts. Smith, 46, was pregnant with her second child back in 2012 when she discovered she had inherited a "ticking time bomb" - the BRCA2 gene mutation. Women with the gene mutation have a 70 percent chance of developing breast cancer and a 17 percent risk of ovarian cancer. "My mum died of ovarian cancer and my grandma died of breast cancer. My cousins had breast cancer, and my uncles had prostate cancer - we are all BRCA gene mutation carriers," Smith said. To reduce her risk of developing cancer, Smith chose to have a mastectomy, which was followed by a breast reconstruction. Smith, 46, discovered she had inherited the BRCA2 mutation back in 2012. (Supplied: Robyn Smith) In a story similar for many women, Smith said she was never really told much about the option of "going flat" before the surgery. Instead, Smith was only provided with a "really nice glossy brochure about reconstruction, and nothing else." For Smith, it was almost assumed that getting breast implants was the option she would take. She had breast implants put in and for 13 months, suffered from a cascade of debilitating symptoms she now attributes to breast implant illness. "My hair was falling out. I had extreme fatigue, memory loss, brain fog, and one of my blood markers — my autoimmune, the ANA marker — went through the roof," she said. The symptoms became so severe that she had the implants removed after 13 months. Almost immediately after "going flat", her health began to improve dramatically. "Within a few weeks, lots of my symptoms started to reside and everything went back to normal," Smith said. Her experience highlights a lack of education and choice for women undergoing mastectomies. According to a Flinders University study , published last month, about 20 percent of women were not told about the option of "going flat" before surgery. A further 18 per cent were told, but only after they asked about it. Robyn Smith, pictured running in a previous City2Surf. (Supplied: Robyn Smith) "Flat is a valid option, just as valid as reconstruction," Smith said, adding that thousands of Australians live happily and confidently without reconstructing their breasts. For Smith, her run is also a tribute to her family, who weren't given the same choices. She feels "really fortunate to have had information that they didn't have," and while she is running for a serious cause, she expects her mum would had an amused reaction. "Sometimes I think my mum must be up there just rolling her eyes and thinking, 'What are you doing?'" she said. The second message of her run is also a plea for help. Smith and her colleagues at Inherited Cancers Australia are struggling to secure funding for the patient advocacy group, which has never received federal government support. She hopes her bold action will grab the attention of corporate sponsors who might be willing to "support the little guy". The organisation provides crucial psychosocial support for families with inherited cancer risk, an issue that affects one in 400 Australians. "I am doing this because I feel like we've exhausted a lot of other avenues," she said. "We're doing something bold like this because we're a small charity without sustainable funding." Smith says she has two messages she will be carrying to Bondi this Sunday. "One of them is written on my chest, and the other is my chest." health national Sydney cancer Australia Health Services Breast Cancer CONTACT US Auto news: Honda here to stay in Australia, announces growth plans.
The Advertiser
07-08-2025
- The Advertiser
'Big win': staffing victory for Calvary Mater hospital in a NSW first
STAFFING at one of Newcastle's largest hospitals will be covered by statewide mandates, closing a loophole its staff had slammed as a dangerous omission. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park on Thursday confirmed planning has begun to bring safe staffing levels to the Calvary Mater's emergency department. Introducing the changes will make the hospital the first affiliated health organisation to come under reforms already rolling out across 30 public hospital emergency departments, including the John Hunter. In May, the Newcastle Herald reported nurses were calling on the state government to expand the plan rather than make the Mater the exception among Hunter hospitals. Camilla Smith, the Mater branch secretary for the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association, said on Thursday the news was welcomed. She said there would "definitely be a bottle of champagne" to celebrate. "We're obviously all ecstatic and it couldn't come at a better time with just the surging and the flu and COVID intake and just generally people being sicker," she said. "We're finally getting acknowledged in staffing levels for the work that we do." "It's just been such a massive battle. When you're in the thick of it, you think it's not going to happen." Ms Smith said there remained issues, including "the highest number of code black incidents in the state", but expanding the reform to include the Mater would stop its resources falling behind. "People who work at the Calvary love it and they don't want to go, but when you're working under less staffing levels than every other hospital in your area, you've got to really love your job," she said. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the Safe Staffing Level reforms introduce minimum staffing levels, which the state government says will "result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state". "Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff," he said. In the public sector the rules dictate a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse per three generally occupied treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce - incorporating local health districts, NSW Health and NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association representatives - is preparing to work out the full-time equivalent staffing required at the Calvary Mater, the state government said. Calvary Mater emergency department nurse unit manager Andrew Adams said extra staff would improve morale on the ground, as well as boosting safety and capacity for care. He said staff would likely feel safer with more colleagues due to the changes, having faced an increase in staff injuries and assaults. "We're one of the bigger EDs in the local health district, and we do see a lot of patients of high acuity," he said. "[With the extra staffing] our high-risk patients that we have in the department will be provided the safe nursing care that they actually deserve and we haven't been able to provide." Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said on Thursday it was "a big win" to have the Mater brought under the umbrella. "Calvary Mater Newcastle is not just a hospital," she said. "It's a vital part of the Hunter's health network and today's announcement means better care for every patient who walks through its doors. "The Hunter community has fought hard for a fairer health system, and this is the result of that advocacy. Real reform that strengthens patient care and supports our incredible nurses. "Safe Staffing Levels aren't just numbers on a roster, they're the difference between patients being seen sooner, being treated faster and having more time with the professionals who care for them." Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said the fierce advocacy of front-line staff had paid off. "I want to thank the nurses of the Mater Hospital, in particular branch secretary Camilla Smith, for their patience and strong advocacy in seeing this Safe Staffing Level expansion," Ms Hornery said. "I also want to thank Minister Park for his commitment to expanding these reforms to all hospitals in the Wallsend electorate." STAFFING at one of Newcastle's largest hospitals will be covered by statewide mandates, closing a loophole its staff had slammed as a dangerous omission. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park on Thursday confirmed planning has begun to bring safe staffing levels to the Calvary Mater's emergency department. Introducing the changes will make the hospital the first affiliated health organisation to come under reforms already rolling out across 30 public hospital emergency departments, including the John Hunter. In May, the Newcastle Herald reported nurses were calling on the state government to expand the plan rather than make the Mater the exception among Hunter hospitals. Camilla Smith, the Mater branch secretary for the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association, said on Thursday the news was welcomed. She said there would "definitely be a bottle of champagne" to celebrate. "We're obviously all ecstatic and it couldn't come at a better time with just the surging and the flu and COVID intake and just generally people being sicker," she said. "We're finally getting acknowledged in staffing levels for the work that we do." "It's just been such a massive battle. When you're in the thick of it, you think it's not going to happen." Ms Smith said there remained issues, including "the highest number of code black incidents in the state", but expanding the reform to include the Mater would stop its resources falling behind. "People who work at the Calvary love it and they don't want to go, but when you're working under less staffing levels than every other hospital in your area, you've got to really love your job," she said. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the Safe Staffing Level reforms introduce minimum staffing levels, which the state government says will "result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state". "Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff," he said. In the public sector the rules dictate a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse per three generally occupied treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce - incorporating local health districts, NSW Health and NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association representatives - is preparing to work out the full-time equivalent staffing required at the Calvary Mater, the state government said. Calvary Mater emergency department nurse unit manager Andrew Adams said extra staff would improve morale on the ground, as well as boosting safety and capacity for care. He said staff would likely feel safer with more colleagues due to the changes, having faced an increase in staff injuries and assaults. "We're one of the bigger EDs in the local health district, and we do see a lot of patients of high acuity," he said. "[With the extra staffing] our high-risk patients that we have in the department will be provided the safe nursing care that they actually deserve and we haven't been able to provide." Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said on Thursday it was "a big win" to have the Mater brought under the umbrella. "Calvary Mater Newcastle is not just a hospital," she said. "It's a vital part of the Hunter's health network and today's announcement means better care for every patient who walks through its doors. "The Hunter community has fought hard for a fairer health system, and this is the result of that advocacy. Real reform that strengthens patient care and supports our incredible nurses. "Safe Staffing Levels aren't just numbers on a roster, they're the difference between patients being seen sooner, being treated faster and having more time with the professionals who care for them." Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said the fierce advocacy of front-line staff had paid off. "I want to thank the nurses of the Mater Hospital, in particular branch secretary Camilla Smith, for their patience and strong advocacy in seeing this Safe Staffing Level expansion," Ms Hornery said. "I also want to thank Minister Park for his commitment to expanding these reforms to all hospitals in the Wallsend electorate." STAFFING at one of Newcastle's largest hospitals will be covered by statewide mandates, closing a loophole its staff had slammed as a dangerous omission. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park on Thursday confirmed planning has begun to bring safe staffing levels to the Calvary Mater's emergency department. Introducing the changes will make the hospital the first affiliated health organisation to come under reforms already rolling out across 30 public hospital emergency departments, including the John Hunter. In May, the Newcastle Herald reported nurses were calling on the state government to expand the plan rather than make the Mater the exception among Hunter hospitals. Camilla Smith, the Mater branch secretary for the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association, said on Thursday the news was welcomed. She said there would "definitely be a bottle of champagne" to celebrate. "We're obviously all ecstatic and it couldn't come at a better time with just the surging and the flu and COVID intake and just generally people being sicker," she said. "We're finally getting acknowledged in staffing levels for the work that we do." "It's just been such a massive battle. When you're in the thick of it, you think it's not going to happen." Ms Smith said there remained issues, including "the highest number of code black incidents in the state", but expanding the reform to include the Mater would stop its resources falling behind. "People who work at the Calvary love it and they don't want to go, but when you're working under less staffing levels than every other hospital in your area, you've got to really love your job," she said. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the Safe Staffing Level reforms introduce minimum staffing levels, which the state government says will "result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state". "Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff," he said. In the public sector the rules dictate a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse per three generally occupied treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce - incorporating local health districts, NSW Health and NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association representatives - is preparing to work out the full-time equivalent staffing required at the Calvary Mater, the state government said. Calvary Mater emergency department nurse unit manager Andrew Adams said extra staff would improve morale on the ground, as well as boosting safety and capacity for care. He said staff would likely feel safer with more colleagues due to the changes, having faced an increase in staff injuries and assaults. "We're one of the bigger EDs in the local health district, and we do see a lot of patients of high acuity," he said. "[With the extra staffing] our high-risk patients that we have in the department will be provided the safe nursing care that they actually deserve and we haven't been able to provide." Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said on Thursday it was "a big win" to have the Mater brought under the umbrella. "Calvary Mater Newcastle is not just a hospital," she said. "It's a vital part of the Hunter's health network and today's announcement means better care for every patient who walks through its doors. "The Hunter community has fought hard for a fairer health system, and this is the result of that advocacy. Real reform that strengthens patient care and supports our incredible nurses. "Safe Staffing Levels aren't just numbers on a roster, they're the difference between patients being seen sooner, being treated faster and having more time with the professionals who care for them." Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said the fierce advocacy of front-line staff had paid off. "I want to thank the nurses of the Mater Hospital, in particular branch secretary Camilla Smith, for their patience and strong advocacy in seeing this Safe Staffing Level expansion," Ms Hornery said. "I also want to thank Minister Park for his commitment to expanding these reforms to all hospitals in the Wallsend electorate." STAFFING at one of Newcastle's largest hospitals will be covered by statewide mandates, closing a loophole its staff had slammed as a dangerous omission. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park on Thursday confirmed planning has begun to bring safe staffing levels to the Calvary Mater's emergency department. Introducing the changes will make the hospital the first affiliated health organisation to come under reforms already rolling out across 30 public hospital emergency departments, including the John Hunter. In May, the Newcastle Herald reported nurses were calling on the state government to expand the plan rather than make the Mater the exception among Hunter hospitals. Camilla Smith, the Mater branch secretary for the NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association, said on Thursday the news was welcomed. She said there would "definitely be a bottle of champagne" to celebrate. "We're obviously all ecstatic and it couldn't come at a better time with just the surging and the flu and COVID intake and just generally people being sicker," she said. "We're finally getting acknowledged in staffing levels for the work that we do." "It's just been such a massive battle. When you're in the thick of it, you think it's not going to happen." Ms Smith said there remained issues, including "the highest number of code black incidents in the state", but expanding the reform to include the Mater would stop its resources falling behind. "People who work at the Calvary love it and they don't want to go, but when you're working under less staffing levels than every other hospital in your area, you've got to really love your job," she said. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the Safe Staffing Level reforms introduce minimum staffing levels, which the state government says will "result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state". "Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff," he said. In the public sector the rules dictate a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse per three generally occupied treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce - incorporating local health districts, NSW Health and NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association representatives - is preparing to work out the full-time equivalent staffing required at the Calvary Mater, the state government said. Calvary Mater emergency department nurse unit manager Andrew Adams said extra staff would improve morale on the ground, as well as boosting safety and capacity for care. He said staff would likely feel safer with more colleagues due to the changes, having faced an increase in staff injuries and assaults. "We're one of the bigger EDs in the local health district, and we do see a lot of patients of high acuity," he said. "[With the extra staffing] our high-risk patients that we have in the department will be provided the safe nursing care that they actually deserve and we haven't been able to provide." Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said on Thursday it was "a big win" to have the Mater brought under the umbrella. "Calvary Mater Newcastle is not just a hospital," she said. "It's a vital part of the Hunter's health network and today's announcement means better care for every patient who walks through its doors. "The Hunter community has fought hard for a fairer health system, and this is the result of that advocacy. Real reform that strengthens patient care and supports our incredible nurses. "Safe Staffing Levels aren't just numbers on a roster, they're the difference between patients being seen sooner, being treated faster and having more time with the professionals who care for them." Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery said the fierce advocacy of front-line staff had paid off. "I want to thank the nurses of the Mater Hospital, in particular branch secretary Camilla Smith, for their patience and strong advocacy in seeing this Safe Staffing Level expansion," Ms Hornery said. "I also want to thank Minister Park for his commitment to expanding these reforms to all hospitals in the Wallsend electorate."
