John Hunter Hospital is set to benefit from staffing ratios as part of key improvements to rebuilding its midwifery workforce.
And, the move’s been welcomed by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA).
Safe Staffing Levels (SSL) in dedicated postnatal wards, one to every three women, will be rolled out at seven facilities, including John Hunter, Royal Hospital for Women, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Nepean, Royal Prince Alfred and Westmead, to help ensure proper care is delivered.
Alongside SSL in those units, the NSW Government has also appointed the state’s first Chief Midwife, Donna Garland.
NSWNMA general secretary Michael Whaites admitted the union had long advocated for the crucial leadership position.
“We look forward to working constructively with Ms Garland in her new role as the inaugural Chief Midwife for NSW,” he said.
“It was a major recommendation in the Birth Trauma Inquiry report, so we are thrilled to see it fulfilled.
“This pivotal task will help to strengthen and advocate for the profession at a time when it is facing significant workforce challenges.
“Midwives have been calling out for three systemic changes: improved leadership, improved workloads and improved pay.
“[Today] we can see we are making progress, bringing the change that is needed.
“We applaud the NSW Government’s implementation of staffing ratios in public sector postnatal maternity wards.
“It is a key mechanism to rebuilding and transforming the midwifery workforce and maternity services.
“Safe staffing ratios will help improve workloads and reduce the high rates of burnout our members are experiencing because of understaffing and under-resourcing.
“As well, it’ll allow members to practice in a safe and nurturing environment and provide the best possible care to women and newborns, which leads to a stronger healthcare system.
“Alongside ratios, increased pay and significant investment in midwifery and midwifery-led continuity of care models are critical to improving outcomes and fixing the staffing crisis in maternity.”
NSWNMA assistant general secretary Katrina Bough said this phase of the SSL rollout would build on the ratios already introduced in public emergency departments.
“We have been campaigning for ratios for more than a decade, so we are extremely pleased to see the next stage of this crucial reform taking shape,” she explained.
“It follows the implementation of nurse-to-patient ratios in the majority of Level 6 to 3 emergency departments across the state.
“We know maternity services, particularly in regional and remote areas, have been under enormous strain in recent years, with a lack of midwives and obstetricians available.
“And, we hope to see ratios extend to these areas in the future.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with the government to ensure the rollout in postnatal maternity wards is a smooth and successful process.”
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