THE association representing nurses at Tamworth hospital will consider its options in the next few days after Hunter New England Health refused to act on a recommendation to boost staffing levels across several departments.
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Fiona Deegan, the New England organiser for the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, met with “disappointed” emergency and maternity staff yesterday, saying many were at breaking point.
“They are extremely concerned Hunter New England Health has not implemented this recommendation and believe it shows there is no commitment to patient care and safe staffing levels,” she said.
On Thursday, the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW, after a hearing with representatives of the nurses association and the local health district, recommended hospital management provide an additional 10 nursing hours on night shift in the emergency department on a two-month trial to begin yesterday.
However, Hunter New England Health said on Friday it saw no issues with staffing levels and would continue to consult with the association and local staff.
Staffing concerns within the new maternity unit were also raised during Thursday’s commission hearing, but were unable to be resolved.
Ms Deegan said the issues were now at “crisis point” and staff had real fears for patient safety.
“We have staff who go home in tears regularly from tiredness, exhaustion and concern,” she said.
“We just thank God that nothing has happened.”
She also told The Leader the hospital was on the brink of losing senior staff who had become so exasperated with the situation and concerned about patient welfare.
Highlighting the case for more staffing hours, Mrs Deegan said, was the new maternity where births were up by more than 20 per cent on this time last year, and the emergency department where about 180 hours of overtime had been recorded since the new ER opened last month.
Ms Deegan said after yesterday’s meetings staff members were adamant they had to maintain their bid for increased staffing levels and the association would continue discussions with members in the next few days.