Nationals Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh at Coffs Harbour Health Campus with (from left) director of nursing and midwifery Janelle Goodall, nurse graduates Kate Bowles and Rebecca Henry, nurse educator Melissa Tait, clinical nurse educator Louise White and Coffs Harbour Health Campus GM Lydia Dennett
Nationals' Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said more graduate nurses and midwives are beginning their careers at Coffs Harbour Health Campus this year, in what will be a major boost for our local community.
Mr Singh said the new graduates are among a record 3,600 nurses and midwives set to commence working across 130 NSW public hospitals and health service.
"In January we welcomed 18 nurse and five midwife graduates to the Coffs Clinical Network (this includes Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Bellingen and Macksville) and in further intakes in coming months another 19 nurse graduates are due to begin," Mr Singh said.
"The work that nurses and midwives do is at the very heart of the public health system, caring for people in our hospitals, at home and in our communities.
"The commitment, compassion and skills they bring to the role make a huge difference and contribute greatly to the health and wellbeing of the people of the Coffs Coast.
"I am incredibly pleased to welcome the new recruits to Coffs Harbour Hospital and I know they will make a big difference to the health and wellbeing of our community.
"These enthusiastic graduates have a unique opportunity to play a vital role in our healthcare system at a time when it continues to adapt and innovate to the changes and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic."
Nationals Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said more than a third of the record number of graduates beginning their careers with NSW Health have chosen to work in our rural and regional hospitals.
"It is so wonderful to see so many nurses and midwives either choosing to move to the bush or returning home so they can care for their communities," Mrs Taylor said.
"As someone who spent the best part of their nursing career at a regional hospital, I know the skills and experience these new nurses will gain will set them up for success into their future nursing career.
"On behalf of our regional communities, I am thrilled to welcome this next generation of nurses and midwives and wish all our new starters the very best of luck as they embark on their new career."
The latest state-wide intake of graduate nurses and midwives is an 18 per cent increase on last year. It is also the largest intake of any state or territory in Australia.
NSW Health has the largest health system in the country and employs more than 53,000 nurses and midwives, more than ever before.
Overall, between mid-2012 and mid-2022 NSW Health increased its workforce by an additional 25,700 full time equivalent staff - an increase of 25.2 per cent, including 9,340 more nurses and midwives, 4,140 more doctors, and 2,490 more allied health staff.
The NSW Government announced the largest workforce boost in the nation's history in the 2022-23 Budget with a $4.5 billion investment over four years for 10,148 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff to hospitals and health services across NSW.
