Latest news with #NSWNursesandMidwives'Association
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Health
- 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."
7NEWS
24-06-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Nurses rally over sick bubs 'parked in cramped unit'
Nurses and parents of premature babies are battling to find space in a tight intensive care unit, using a former storeroom at one of Australia's busiest hospitals. About 80 nurses at Westmead Hospital supported their overworked colleagues from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in western Sydney by walking out on Monday lunchtime. They made their voices heard after their repeated complaints about the lack of beds, space or staff to treat preterm babies with critical care issues went unanswered by the hospital's management and senior public health officials. 'Having to double- or triple-park sick babies into a cramped area that was originally a storeroom is not what the people of western Sydney should expect in 2025,' NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association president O'Bray Smith said. 'Staff are leaving, cutting their hours, or switching from full-time to part-time hours because of the stress and demoralising conditions.' About one in six newborns pass through a NICU or lower-acuity special care nursery each year, official figures say. Westmead's NICU, catering for more than 2.5 million residents in western Sydney, is one of a handful in Australia capable of the highest level of complex medical care, known as level six. The 44-bed unit is staffed for 80 per cent capacity but has been surging to 140 per cent due to a sharp increase in the number and complexity of babies needing critical care, the nurses' union says. Parents of premature children are sometimes forced to trek to Newcastle or Canberra because of overcrowded conditions at Westmead, the union says. Smith said the NICU's design layout remained a major challenge, with parents and staff fighting to find space among life-saving machines and tubes. 'It wasn't designed over two decades ago with massive population growth in mind,' she said. The union wants the unit increased to 50 beds and a minimum of 24 nurses working per shift, up from 21, to help deliver safe neonatal care. Premier Chris Minns has vowed to learn more about the situation before committing to any increased funding, a day before the state's budget. 'Paediatric work in major public hospitals in western Sydney in particular is hard, and we need them,' he said on Monday. 'The work that they do every single day, the miracles that they perform, the lives that they save, is incredible. 'When it comes to the specifics of Westmead, of course, we'll listen about patient care.'
The Advertiser
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Nurses rally over sick bubs 'parked in cramped unit'
Nurses and parents of premature babies are battling to find space in a tight intensive care unit, using a former storeroom at one of Australia's busiest hospitals. About 80 nurses at Westmead Hospital supported their overworked colleagues from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in western Sydney by walking out on Monday lunchtime. They made their voices heard after their repeated complaints about the lack of beds, space or staff to treat preterm babies with critical care issues went unanswered by the hospital's management and senior public health officials. "Having to double- or triple-park sick babies into a cramped area that was originally a storeroom is not what the people of western Sydney should expect in 2025," NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association president O'Bray Smith said. "Staff are leaving, cutting their hours, or switching from full-time to part-time hours because of the stress and demoralising conditions." About one in six newborns pass through a NICU or lower-acuity special care nursery each year, official figures say Westmead's NICU, catering for more than 2.5 million residents in western Sydney, is one of a handful in Australia capable of the highest level of complex medical care, known as level six. The 44-bed unit is staffed for 80 per cent capacity, but has been surging to 140 per cent due to a sharp increase in the number and complexity of babies needing critical care, the nurses' union says. Parents of premature children are sometimes forced to trek to Newcastle or Canberra because of overcrowded conditions at Westmead, the union says. Ms Smith said the NICU's design layout remained a major challenge, with parents and staff fighting to find space among life-saving machines and tubes. "It wasn't designed over two decades ago with massive population growth in mind," she said. The union wants the unit increased to 50 beds and a minimum of 24 nurses working per shift, up from 21, to help deliver safe neonatal care. Premier Chris Minns has vowed to learn more about the situation before committing to any increased funding, a day before the state's budget. "Paediatric work in major public hospitals in western Sydney in particular is hard, and we need them," he said on Monday. "The work that they do every single day, the miracles that they perform, the lives that they save, is incredible. "When it comes to the specifics of Westmead, of course, we'll listen about patient care." Nurses and parents of premature babies are battling to find space in a tight intensive care unit, using a former storeroom at one of Australia's busiest hospitals. About 80 nurses at Westmead Hospital supported their overworked colleagues from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in western Sydney by walking out on Monday lunchtime. They made their voices heard after their repeated complaints about the lack of beds, space or staff to treat preterm babies with critical care issues went unanswered by the hospital's management and senior public health officials. "Having to double- or triple-park sick babies into a cramped area that was originally a storeroom is not what the people of western Sydney should expect in 2025," NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association president O'Bray Smith said. "Staff are leaving, cutting their hours, or switching from full-time to part-time hours because of the stress and demoralising conditions." About one in six newborns pass through a NICU or lower-acuity special care nursery each year, official figures say Westmead's NICU, catering for more than 2.5 million residents in western Sydney, is one of a handful in Australia capable of the highest level of complex medical care, known as level six. The 44-bed unit is staffed for 80 per cent capacity, but has been surging to 140 per cent due to a sharp increase in the number and complexity of babies needing critical care, the nurses' union says. Parents of premature children are sometimes forced to trek to Newcastle or Canberra because of overcrowded conditions at Westmead, the union says. Ms Smith said the NICU's design layout remained a major challenge, with parents and staff fighting to find space among life-saving machines and tubes. "It wasn't designed over two decades ago with massive population growth in mind," she said. The union wants the unit increased to 50 beds and a minimum of 24 nurses working per shift, up from 21, to help deliver safe neonatal care. Premier Chris Minns has vowed to learn more about the situation before committing to any increased funding, a day before the state's budget. "Paediatric work in major public hospitals in western Sydney in particular is hard, and we need them," he said on Monday. "The work that they do every single day, the miracles that they perform, the lives that they save, is incredible. "When it comes to the specifics of Westmead, of course, we'll listen about patient care." Nurses and parents of premature babies are battling to find space in a tight intensive care unit, using a former storeroom at one of Australia's busiest hospitals. About 80 nurses at Westmead Hospital supported their overworked colleagues from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in western Sydney by walking out on Monday lunchtime. They made their voices heard after their repeated complaints about the lack of beds, space or staff to treat preterm babies with critical care issues went unanswered by the hospital's management and senior public health officials. "Having to double- or triple-park sick babies into a cramped area that was originally a storeroom is not what the people of western Sydney should expect in 2025," NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association president O'Bray Smith said. "Staff are leaving, cutting their hours, or switching from full-time to part-time hours because of the stress and demoralising conditions." About one in six newborns pass through a NICU or lower-acuity special care nursery each year, official figures say Westmead's NICU, catering for more than 2.5 million residents in western Sydney, is one of a handful in Australia capable of the highest level of complex medical care, known as level six. The 44-bed unit is staffed for 80 per cent capacity, but has been surging to 140 per cent due to a sharp increase in the number and complexity of babies needing critical care, the nurses' union says. Parents of premature children are sometimes forced to trek to Newcastle or Canberra because of overcrowded conditions at Westmead, the union says. Ms Smith said the NICU's design layout remained a major challenge, with parents and staff fighting to find space among life-saving machines and tubes. "It wasn't designed over two decades ago with massive population growth in mind," she said. The union wants the unit increased to 50 beds and a minimum of 24 nurses working per shift, up from 21, to help deliver safe neonatal care. Premier Chris Minns has vowed to learn more about the situation before committing to any increased funding, a day before the state's budget. "Paediatric work in major public hospitals in western Sydney in particular is hard, and we need them," he said on Monday. "The work that they do every single day, the miracles that they perform, the lives that they save, is incredible. "When it comes to the specifics of Westmead, of course, we'll listen about patient care." Nurses and parents of premature babies are battling to find space in a tight intensive care unit, using a former storeroom at one of Australia's busiest hospitals. About 80 nurses at Westmead Hospital supported their overworked colleagues from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in western Sydney by walking out on Monday lunchtime. They made their voices heard after their repeated complaints about the lack of beds, space or staff to treat preterm babies with critical care issues went unanswered by the hospital's management and senior public health officials. "Having to double- or triple-park sick babies into a cramped area that was originally a storeroom is not what the people of western Sydney should expect in 2025," NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association president O'Bray Smith said. "Staff are leaving, cutting their hours, or switching from full-time to part-time hours because of the stress and demoralising conditions." About one in six newborns pass through a NICU or lower-acuity special care nursery each year, official figures say Westmead's NICU, catering for more than 2.5 million residents in western Sydney, is one of a handful in Australia capable of the highest level of complex medical care, known as level six. The 44-bed unit is staffed for 80 per cent capacity, but has been surging to 140 per cent due to a sharp increase in the number and complexity of babies needing critical care, the nurses' union says. Parents of premature children are sometimes forced to trek to Newcastle or Canberra because of overcrowded conditions at Westmead, the union says. Ms Smith said the NICU's design layout remained a major challenge, with parents and staff fighting to find space among life-saving machines and tubes. "It wasn't designed over two decades ago with massive population growth in mind," she said. The union wants the unit increased to 50 beds and a minimum of 24 nurses working per shift, up from 21, to help deliver safe neonatal care. Premier Chris Minns has vowed to learn more about the situation before committing to any increased funding, a day before the state's budget. "Paediatric work in major public hospitals in western Sydney in particular is hard, and we need them," he said on Monday. "The work that they do every single day, the miracles that they perform, the lives that they save, is incredible. "When it comes to the specifics of Westmead, of course, we'll listen about patient care."
West Australian
23-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Nurses rally over sick bubs 'parked in cramped unit'
Nurses and parents of premature babies are battling to find space in a tight intensive care unit, using a former storeroom at one of Australia's busiest hospitals. About 80 nurses at Westmead Hospital supported their overworked colleagues from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in western Sydney by walking out on Monday lunchtime. They made their voices heard after their repeated complaints about the lack of beds, space or staff to treat preterm babies with critical care issues went unanswered by the hospital's management and senior public health officials. "Having to double- or triple-park sick babies into a cramped area that was originally a storeroom is not what the people of western Sydney should expect in 2025," NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association president O'Bray Smith said. "Staff are leaving, cutting their hours, or switching from full-time to part-time hours because of the stress and demoralising conditions." About one in six newborns pass through a NICU or lower-acuity special care nursery each year, official figures say Westmead's NICU, catering for more than 2.5 million residents in western Sydney, is one of a handful in Australia capable of the highest level of complex medical care, known as level six. The 44-bed unit is staffed for 80 per cent capacity, but has been surging to 140 per cent due to a sharp increase in the number and complexity of babies needing critical care, the nurses' union says. Parents of premature children are sometimes forced to trek to Newcastle or Canberra because of overcrowded conditions at Westmead, the union says. Ms Smith said the NICU's design layout remained a major challenge, with parents and staff fighting to find space among life-saving machines and tubes. "It wasn't designed over two decades ago with massive population growth in mind," she said. The union wants the unit increased to 50 beds and a minimum of 24 nurses working per shift, up from 21, to help deliver safe neonatal care. Premier Chris Minns has vowed to learn more about the situation before committing to any increased funding, a day before the state's budget. "Paediatric work in major public hospitals in western Sydney in particular is hard, and we need them," he said on Monday. "The work that they do every single day, the miracles that they perform, the lives that they save, is incredible. "When it comes to the specifics of Westmead, of course, we'll listen about patient care."
Perth Now
23-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Nurses rally over sick bubs 'parked in cramped unit'
Nurses and parents of premature babies are battling to find space in a tight intensive care unit, using a former storeroom at one of Australia's busiest hospitals. About 80 nurses at Westmead Hospital supported their overworked colleagues from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in western Sydney by walking out on Monday lunchtime. They made their voices heard after their repeated complaints about the lack of beds, space or staff to treat preterm babies with critical care issues went unanswered by the hospital's management and senior public health officials. "Having to double- or triple-park sick babies into a cramped area that was originally a storeroom is not what the people of western Sydney should expect in 2025," NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association president O'Bray Smith said. "Staff are leaving, cutting their hours, or switching from full-time to part-time hours because of the stress and demoralising conditions." About one in six newborns pass through a NICU or lower-acuity special care nursery each year, official figures say Westmead's NICU, catering for more than 2.5 million residents in western Sydney, is one of a handful in Australia capable of the highest level of complex medical care, known as level six. The 44-bed unit is staffed for 80 per cent capacity, but has been surging to 140 per cent due to a sharp increase in the number and complexity of babies needing critical care, the nurses' union says. Parents of premature children are sometimes forced to trek to Newcastle or Canberra because of overcrowded conditions at Westmead, the union says. Ms Smith said the NICU's design layout remained a major challenge, with parents and staff fighting to find space among life-saving machines and tubes. "It wasn't designed over two decades ago with massive population growth in mind," she said. The union wants the unit increased to 50 beds and a minimum of 24 nurses working per shift, up from 21, to help deliver safe neonatal care. Premier Chris Minns has vowed to learn more about the situation before committing to any increased funding, a day before the state's budget. "Paediatric work in major public hospitals in western Sydney in particular is hard, and we need them," he said on Monday. "The work that they do every single day, the miracles that they perform, the lives that they save, is incredible. "When it comes to the specifics of Westmead, of course, we'll listen about patient care."
