Hundreds of nurses and midwives walked off the job at two Central Coast hospitals yesterday, whilst a third rallied in their own time to call upon the NSW Government to prioritise safe staffing and introduce nurse-to-patient ratios.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) at Long Jetty Continuing Care Toukley voted to stop work for two hours (from 2 pm) whilst the Wyong Hospital branch voted to strike for two hours and walked out en masses at 3:30 pm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central Coast Mental Health Branch members who work in the community and at Wyong Hospital, voted unanimously to strike for two hours from 3:30 pm. Meanwhile, nurses and midwives gathered outside Gosford Hospital at lunchtime to highlight their staffing concerns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Widespread understaffing, regular overtime and less time available to properly care patients were amongst some of the issues which prompted yesterday\u2019s strike action, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All sites are calling for nurse-to-patient ratios, with NSWNMA Councillor and Long Jetty Continuing Care branch delegate, Michelle Cashman, saying the situation was desperate and required urgent attention from the NSW government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToo many nurses and midwives are now at breaking point because of the state our health system is now in. We need mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in our hospitals, just like they have in Queensland and Victoria. They cannot keep working us into the ground like this, it\u2019s not fair to our patients or our communities,\u201d said Ms Falconer. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
To get all the latest in news, entertainment and lifestyle on the Central Coast, follow Star 104.5 on <\/em>Instagram here<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WATCH: Wake up with a laugh and join <\/em><\/strong>Rabbit & Sarah for Breakfast<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, weekdays, 6am-9am. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n