‘Ambitious’ PHS award claim seeks comprehensive workplace reform

The NSWNMA has lodged its claim for 2023 with the NSW Ministry of Health, outlining a comprehensive list of proposed changes to the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwives’ (State) Award.

SWNMA General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said this year’s claim was unanimously endorsed by the union’s public sector branches, and was deliberately ambitious to secure workplace reforms, as well as to attract and retain skilled nurses and midwives in public health. The claim also seeks a 10 per cent increase in pay and wage-related allowances plus superannuation effective from 1 July 2023.

Shaye said nurses and midwives in the public health system had seen “little to no improvements to their working conditions for the past decade”.

“Our members have campaigned for nurse-to-patient ratios for a long time. They shouldered the brunt of the pandemic for three long years, and they’ve gone to extraordinary lengths to deliver patient-centred care, often to the detriment of their own health and wellbeing,” she said.

“We have a comprehensive claim this year detailing evidence-based improvements to staffing across a range of specialty areas, which would increase workforce wellbeing and provide better support for professional development.”

NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary, Michael Whaites, a of said the establishment of a Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce (see box) with NSWNMA representatives “would ensure the outdated ‘Nursing Hours Per Patient Day’ system converts to a minimum and enforceable safe staffing model within the award”.

“We are focused on continuing the fight for safe staffing ratios, relief from cost-of-living pressures, and decent wages that adequately reflect the work of skilled professionals,” Michael said.

“Our 2023 claim aims to ensure public sector nurses and midwives can deliver high-quality care to all patients, regardless of where they live in NSW, and we will continue advocating on behalf of our members for as long as it takes.” n

Key features of the claim

• Ratios applied shift by shift – based on the actual number of patients in each unit

• ‘Specials’ in addition to ratios or rostered staffing minimums

• In charge of shift in addition to minimum ratios and without a patient load

• AiNs and AiMs in addition to minimum ratios. Plus a 10 per cent increase in pay and wage related allowances plus superannuation effective from 1 July 2023.

Download a snapshot of the claim or view the entire claim at: https://www.nswnma.asn.au/ public-health-system-award-claim-2023/

NSWNMA takes Ministry to NSW Supreme Court over NHPPD breaches

The NSWNMA has begun proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court against the Ministry of Heath over 1400 alleged breaches of the NHPPD provisions of the PHS Nurses and Midwives’ State Award.

These 1400 alleged breaches are only a fraction of the total identified from data obtained from the Ministry of Health in February 2023.

A large part of the alleged contraventions are related to Central Coast Local Health District, by far the worst district in terms of non-compliance, according to the data.

The matter is listed for directions on 7 June.n

Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce to drive implementation of ratios

The NSW Government has established a Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce as a “historic step” towards implementing nurse-to-patient ratios in NSW public hospitals.

The working group will see NSWNMA representatives working alongside NSW Health officials to plan the rollout of a shift-by-shift staffing model for nurses and midwives, starting with Emergency Departments.

NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Michael Whaites , said the Taskforce will pave the way for the significant reforms urgently needed to repair the broken staffing system.

“We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with the NSW Government to undertake this important reform,” Michael said.

“This Taskforce will lay the groundwork for the ratios we’ve campaigned for over many years. We’re eager to work through the staffing requirements and how this phased approach will be implemented.”

The Taskforce had its first meeting on 19 May.

The government has also set up a Surgical Care Taskforce to “improve the delivery of surgical services and reduce the state’s elective surgery waiting list”, according to NSW Health.

The NSWNMA will be represented in the Surgical Care Taskforce by councillor Kerry Rodgers.n