Calvary Mater Newcastle Nurses Rally for Inclusion in Ratios Rollout

Nurses at Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital held their second rally yesterday, Monday, 2 September, intensifying their push for inclusion in the first phase of the state government’s nurse-to-patient ratios rollout.

Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) from the Calvary Mater Newcastle branch gathered outside the hospital in Waratah, joined by community supporters, to demand that their facility be included in the initial implementation of safe staffing measures. The hospital, which is the second largest in Newcastle and provides 24/7 emergency care to public patients in the Hunter, is seeking assurance from the government that it will not be overlooked.

The rally, held from 12:30pm to 2:00pm, attracted significant attention, with participants emphasising the critical need for proper staffing ratios at Calvary Mater. The recent rollout of ratios has begun in 16 emergency departments across New South Wales, including nearby John Hunter Hospital, where enforceable ratios of one nurse to three generally occupied treatment spaces and one nurse to one patient for resuscitation beds are being implemented.

Nurses at Calvary Mater Newcastle are calling on the state government to provide the necessary funding to ensure their hospital receives the same support as other facilities. The rally highlighted the ongoing commitment of the nursing staff to secure safe staffing levels that are essential for delivering high-quality care to their patients.

The event provided an opportunity for NSWNMA members to speak out about their concerns, with many expressing frustration at the lack of clarity from the government regarding their inclusion in the rollout. The community’s support was evident, with several local residents joining the rally to back the nurses’ demands for fair and adequate staffing.

As the state government continues to roll out nurse-to-patient ratios across the state, the nurses at Calvary Mater Newcastle remain determined to ensure that their hospital is not left behind in this critical initiative.