“It’s our biggest fear as a nurse that someone is going to die because we cannot provide the care they need”.
That’s the chilling warning from Rachel Hughes, who joined a 1,000 fellow nurses and midwives at Newcastle’s Civic Park on Thursday 1 September, demanding action from the NSW Government.
The local contingent marched from Nesca Park, in Cooks Hill, along Darby Street to the venue in the CBD.
There, they called on Premier Dominic Perrottet to prioritise patient care and commit to a safer staffing model with a guaranteed minimum number of nurses and midwives on every shift.
Their colleagues at neighbouring Muswellbrook, Tomaree and Morisset also took part in the state-wide strike.
“I work in emergency,” said Ms Hughes, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) John Hunter and John Hunter Children’s branch secretary.
“I’m terrified patients will die in that [waiting] room, while waiting to be seen.
“However, it’s just as frustrating we need to take such a drastic step.
“As for the government, I don’t know if they’re blind and deaf.
“This [action] is about ratios.
“But, Mr Perrottet gets on the news, on Channel 7, and talks about pay.
“He claims we’re the best paid nurses in Australia.
“I don’t know where he’s obtaining his figures from.
“We’re the second lowest paid nurses in Australia.
“We are also the only eastern state that doesn’t have ratios.
“I just don’t comprehend where this government is coming from.
“They seem to be clueless – and without care.”
Ms Hughes said the organisers were very happy with the turnout at Civic Park.
“[Today] only featured the Lower Hunter region,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“Muswellbrook also staged a rally, which consisted of staff from Scone, Dungog and those areas in the Upper Hunter.
“The last time we took [strike] action, they came to Newcastle.
“However, we’re thrilled with the support from everyone – and I think it’s building.
“People are starting to see that we’re not crying out for ourselves; we’re doing this for them as well.
“It feels like the community and general public are behind us.
“We’re not fighting for pay; we’re fighting for patient care.
“Quite simply, we need ratios in NSW.
“That’s what it’s all about.
“We are fighting to provide our patients, and the community, with the care they deserve.”
Sadly, it doesn’t appear to be the end of the saga either.
Ms Hughes admitted the NSWNMA members would continue their crusade, pending an acceptable resolution.
“We’ll persist until we get change,” she said.
“For most people, it should be a no-brainer, especially in 2022.
“But, this government is showing it has no brains – that’s the best way to put it.
“Again, I don’t understand the current leaders in parliament.
“However, in saying that, we’re also struggling with the Opposition, too.
“Chris Minns doesn’t seem keen to commit to ratios either.
“And, that’s so irritating because it’s such an obvious solution.
“Neither of them will say ‘yes, let’s do this’.
“Seriously, don’t they care about communities?”
