The ACT Government will hire more than 90 additional nurses and midwives across our health services as part of our commitment to provide better healthcare, where and when Canberrans need it.
Our local healthcare workforce has been there when our city needed them most. Many have made significant personal sacrifices to support our city throughout the pandemic – providing thousands of COVID-19 tests and vaccinations over the past few months.
The upcoming ACT Budget will include a commitment of $50.1 million over four years to recruit additional nurses and midwives across Canberra Health Services and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce.
The investment marks the first phase of nursing and midwifery ratios across our public health system – delivering on an ACT Labor commitment from the 2020 election.
Ratios mandate a minimum number of nurses or midwives to ensure our health system supports a safe and effective environment for both patients and our workforce.
The minimum ratio for nurses or midwives to patients will depend on the clinical setting with the first phase of ratios agreed with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation to focus on General Medical, General Surgical, Acute Aged Care and the Adult Mental Health Unit.
Recruitment for the additional positions will begin later this year.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister, Andrew Barr:
Nurses and midwives are the heart and soul of our healthcare system. At the 2020 election, ACT Labor made a commitment to hire 400 nurses and other healthcare professionals over this term, and this announcement starts that process.
More nurses and midwives in our public health system means better quality health care for Canberrans, as well as thousands of people in the Southern NSW region that rely on the ACT healthcare system.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith:
This funding will improve our health system and deliver better outcomes for patients and a safer workplace for nurses and midwives.
Implementing ratios guarantees there will be more staff on the ward to provide care and ensures an increased skill mix on each shift to provide the best possible care for patients in our public health system.
This commitment will also contribute to a more sustainable workforce by reducing staff fatigue and increasing job satisfaction across our health and midwifery workforce.
